George let himself into their dingy apartment. As the weeks passed, Mama continued to struggle, and more and more he found himself reluctant to leave the building they shared with so many other families.
“I’m home, Mama,” he called as he removed his jacket and hung it up. She was in such pain, he couldn’t bear it. He went to stand in the doorway to her bedroom and pasted a smile on his face.
“You’ve been gone a while, Georgie.”
“I’m sorry. I brought the little ones to visit with Father Ed’s kids for a while—I’ll go back to get them soon—and then I had some errands to run.” He’d been looking for work, and he’d had no luck. Even Mr. Hudson had nothing for him. It was almost as if jobs were being deliberately withheld from him.
“Yes, that was a good idea.”
“Can I get you anything?”
“Per
