I knocked gently on the window. The little boy’s eyes widened, and he disappeared under the blanket. A moment later, the driver’s side door opened, and Celia stepped out, looking exhausted but wary.
“Celia,” I said, my throat tight. “It’s me.”
She blinked at me, then folded her arms. “What are you doing here?”
“I—I made a mistake.” I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck. “I didn’t know what you were going through. I should have asked before I…” I couldn’t even finish the sentence.
She shook her head. “Doesn’t change anything. We’re still here.”
I swallowed hard. “I want to fix it.” I hesitated, then pulled out an envelope. “I have a job for you, if you still want it. And this—it’s not much, just enough to get a motel for a few nights.”
Celia stared at the envelope, then at me.
Tears welled in her eyes, and for the first time, she let her guard down. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes,” I whispered.
