by SL Beabhar
Widening her eyes, Dana joined Phoebe at the map. She leaned onto her tiptoes. "Well, I guess if it's any consolation, it looks a little south of Tacoma." She bit down on her bottom lip, then used her fingernails to pull the tacks from the wall. "Either way. You're screwed."
"Why? I thought it was pretty nice up there." Phoebe left the wall and walked to the small dining room table where she'd left her laptop. She sat down on the chair and opened the lid. With a few clicks of her finger, she opened a website for classifieds in the Tacoma area. "Good news. It looks like there's a lot of hospitals in that area." She glanced over the top of her monitor and grinned at Dana. "It's even near a huge military base."
"I know," Dana said, joining Phoebe at the table. She propped her chin on her hand. "Trust me. I know there's a lot of military out there, but that's nothing compared to how friggin' expensive it is. The cost of living is ridiculous compared to Indy. You're not going to get far on a CNA's salary."
Her cousin was right, Phoebe knew. She'd heard about how much of a tech center the Puget Sound region was. But from her quick search on the web, she'd already discovered several nursing programs in the area.
"I think this will work for me," Phoebe said. "I'm positive there's going to be open jobs for home care aides. I can pick up a second job, if necessary, while I enroll in a community college and get my associate's degree in nursing."
This was the most optimistic Phoebe had felt in months. Since her sister's death, she'd felt like her whole world was spinning out of control, and there was nothing she could do to slow it down. But this felt right to her. A fresh start in a new city was truly what she needed.
She patted Dana's hand. She knew her cousin worried about her own finances. They shared that worry. But Phoebe would make it work, even if it meant busting her ass for the next few years. "It'll all work out. I just know it will." She withdrew her hand and closed her laptop, then she smiled sadly. "I'm sorry for getting you into hot water." Dana's landlord had learned about Phoebe's living in the apartment, and he'd demanded that Phoebe either be added to the lease or leave the apartment by the end of the week.
"Shit. You didn't do nothing. If it wasn't for that nosy broad from next door, everything would be cool. Everything was fine these past few weeks, then she goes and blabs," Dana muttered, reclining in her seat. "But whatever. Maybe it's for the best. There's already a glow about you, and you haven't even moved there yet." She tilted her head and studied Phoebe. "If things don't work out, you can always move back here. You can sleep on the couch until you get your money together."
Phoebe smiled, then glanced around the small apartment that Dana called home. Clean and cozy, it was too small for two adults and three children. She knew she could always come back here, but she would feel like a failure if she ever had to return to sleeping on her cousin's couch.
"I feel like celebrating," Phoebe said, picking up her phone. "When will the kids get home?"
Dana glanced at the clock on the wall, then grimaced. She hopped up from her seat and grabbed her keys from the counter. "Damn it. I should have picked them up ten minutes ago."
"I'll come along. After you pick up the kids, we can grab a pizza on the way back." Grinning, Phoebe slipped from her seat and wrapped her arm around Dana's shoulders. "Who knows, maybe we'll find you a good military man?"
CHAPTER FIVE
Looking for a live-in caregiver who won't kill her patient and won't steal shit from me. You'll be caring for an elderly woman who is so damn mean that the devil didn't want her. She's a wicked curmudgeon, but you'll be well compensated so her evilness shouldn't really affect you. And if it would, then this ain't the position for you. You'll be responsible for transporting her to and from all scheduled medical appointments, preparing her meals, and assisting in bathing and hygiene tasks. You should probably be in reasonably good shape otherwise you might get your head bashed in by a plate or something. Just kidding.
No. Not really.
Finally, if you haven't clicked out of this posting yet, then you may just have the balls to handle this witch. Compensation details will be negotiated upon an offer of employment. For more info, please feel free to email me. P.S. Nudes are welcome.
Phoebe's eyes bulged as she read and re-read the job announcement. It was a job posting for a home care aide, but it was like nothing she'd ever read before. She wouldn't mind the work as it was essentially what she'd done for her sister during the last few years of her life.
The ad was intriguing, but she hesitated to respond. She'd worked with difficult clients in the past, so that didn't concern her. She just wasn't sure if she wanted to work for a boss with such a snarky sense of humor.
A small cry emitted from one of the bedrooms. She heard Dana's mattress creak as she crawled out of bed. From over the top of her laptop, Phoebe watched her cousin stumble from her bedroom and enter the boys' bedroom.
This was a nightly occurrence in Dana's apartment. Even though she loved being with her cousin and her kids, the place was just too small, and Phoebe felt like another burden on Dana's small shoulders. With a heavy sigh, Phoebe clicked on the contact's email and drafted her message.
Hello. I'm responding to the ad for a full-time, live-in caregiver. I'm a Certified Nursing Assistant who has worked as a home care aide for the last seven years. I was employed with a home care agency for four years, then became a live-in caregiver for an individual diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In that role, I fulfilled all of the duties you described in your posting. Unfortunately, my last client passed away nearly three months ago, so I am not able to provide them as a professional reference. However, I do have letters of reference from my previous supervisor and clients. I have attached them, along with my résumé. Thank you.
Even as a niggling doubt simmered in the back of her mind, Phoebe pressed enter and sent the email. She continued scrolling through the job announcements, clicking on other jobs in the healthcare field. There were many postings. Some were for similar positions while others were posted by staffing agencies. Most were in her target range for an hourly wage, but only a handful offered educational assistance.
If she settled for living in South Tacoma or Lakewood, she could make it on fifteen bucks an hour without having to find a second job. But it wouldn't be enough to pay for her college. She only needed two more general education requirements before she could apply to a nursing program. If she could enroll in school full-time, then she would be finished within three years.
What she needed was a position that paid at least twenty an hour or offered to pay for further education.
She was about to shut down her computer when she heard the alarm that signified a new email. She switched back to her inbox and found she'd already received a response to her email.
Hi there. I'm Ashley Cooper. Are you available to chat by phone? Ashley had provided a phone number in her response. Phoebe checked the clock on her computer and was surprised that it was past ten on the west coast.
It was odd for someone to invite a phone call this late, but some people worked unusual hours, and maybe they weren't available within business hours. Phoebe picked up her phone and punched in the phone number. She held her breath, waiting for Ashley to pick up the phone. Maybe she had misunderstood?
Then the line picked up. "Hello?" The voice was warm, deep, and distinctively male.
She felt like an idiot. Although there were dozens of legitimate jobs posted on this website, it was also known for being a place where trolls and catfish lurked. "I'm sorry for calling so late. I was given this number by a potential employer."
"Yeah. That's me."
"Oh," she said, twisting her lips. That website was also known for a third thing. A pick-up joint for prostitutes and johns. "This is about the caregiver position, right? Working with the elderly lady."
"You mean the Devil's Spawn?"
"Uh. Well, I think so." She held the phone against her ear and waited for his response. There was dead air on the other side. She felt like
she was failing this phone interview. "Again, I'm sorry for calling this late. My name is Phoebe Marshall. I was calling to speak with Ashley Cooper?"
"I'm Ashley." There was a chuckle on the other end. "Trust me, I'm used to the confusion. You were expecting a woman? Perhaps a woman with a bubbly personality and a high-pitched voice? Well, at least, that's how I would imagine a female Ashley if I knew one." There was a brief pause. "Where are you located, Phoebe?"
"I'm still in Indianapolis. Is that a problem?"
"No. Not a problem." There was a muffling sound on the other end. She could hear another voice in the background. Now that one was distinctly female.
"Sorry about that," Ashley said. "My aunt was telling me to get the hell out of her room." He sighed. "She doesn't talk very much, but when she does, it makes me blush. Tell me, Phoebe, have you ever worked with a difficult client before?"
She nodded even though she knew he couldn't see her. "I have, actually. One of my very first clients. She'd been through a half-dozen caregivers before I was assigned to her. She was a ninety-three-year-old woman who felt and acted like a sixty-three-year-old. Her family wanted her to take it easy, but she wanted to live life to the fullest. She and I came to an understanding."
"What kind of understanding was that?"
Phoebe smiled, recalling Ethel Livingston. "I would take her to the riverboat casino every Saturday, if she promised to give me no trouble during the week. I had the weekends off, but I didn't mind spending my free time with her. She was hilarious."
"I take it she passed away?"
"Yeah," she said. "She died a few years back. It's not really uncommon with the work I do. If I do a good job, then they'll keep me on as long as I'm needed and--"
"When are you planning to move to Washington?"
She sucked in a breath. "I--uh--guess it depends. I'm a little hesitant to move out there without a job; at the same time, I'm sure my résumé is being passed over because of my Indiana address and phone number." She opened the calendar on her laptop and counted the remaining weeks of the month. "But I could start almost immediately. The only thing I would need to work out is how I'm going to get there."
"Do you own a car?"
"I do."
"Are you going to drive it out here?"
"I think so. It's an older car, but it has a good engine. It should get me there in one piece."
Again, there was silence on the other end. She couldn't hear any muffled voices. Then he returned to the phone.
"I'm going to be completely frank with you, Phoebe. I'm in a desperate spot with my aunt. I've missed a lot of work, taking care of her after she chases away a caregiver. And let me tell you, she's been through several in just a few weeks." He sighed. "So I'm looking for someone reliable. Permanent."
"I think I can do that. I mean, I should tell you that I'm planning to go to nursing school, but it's going to take me a few years to complete the program. Otherwise, I'm yours if you need me."
"Mine if I need you," he repeated.
She could practically hear the smile in his voice. "I mean that I am reliable and open to a permanent position."
"Good. Then we should talk about compensation."
She swallowed. "Your ad mentioned this was a live-in situation?"
"Yes, it is. I converted my den into a third bedroom on the first floor. She can't navigate the stairs very well. Your room, I'm afraid, will be on the second floor. Right next to mine. You'll have your own bathroom, but you'll need to go up and down the stairs a lot--"
"That's not a problem."
"Good. Good." He exhaled loudly. "You mentioned you were interested in pursuing a nursing degree?"
"That's right."
"What if I told you this position not only has health, dental, and vision benefits, but your education will be covered. I'll also add you to my auto insurance and phone plans. Really, the only thing you'll need is your own spending money."
She pushed up from the couch and began to pace. This was the type of position she needed. Her room and board would be covered, plus she'd have her education paid for. How could she say no? "What's the pay?"
There was another silent moment. Then he said, "Well, how about $1500?"
"A week?"
He laughed. "No. A month."
The phone dropped from her hand. She dipped and caught it before it crashed against the floor. Fifteen hundred a month was definitely much lower than she had anticipated, but when she considered everything else offered, it didn't seem so bad.
"Hello?" he asked.
"I'm here."
"I thought I lost you."
There was another wail from the children's bedroom, and Phoebe squeezed her eyes shut. Dana had opened her home to her, but she knew she'd outstayed her welcome. There was literally nowhere else to go. She needed this job. And she needed this fresh start.
"This sounds too good to be true," she said to him. "What's the catch?"
He laughed again. "I'm the catch."
CHAPTER SIX
Phoebe leaned against the steering wheel and peered out her windshield. She was parked three houses down from Ash's brown-shingled home. It was much larger than she'd envisioned, with a nice-sized front porch and a nicely manicured yard. There was one vehicle parked in the driveway--an older model pickup truck.
She wasn't expected for another fifteen minutes. The final leg of her journey had been a lot smoother than she'd anticipated. She was spending these last few moments gathering herself before she knocked on his front door.
He'd wired money to pay for her lodging and gas during the four-day cross-country trip. She'd tried to decline it, but he had insisted on paying her expenses, since he was unable to help her with the driving. In spite of that, it wasn't too late for her to back out.
Phoebe could turn right around and drive back to Indiana. She could return to Dana's apartment and plop right down on the couch until they were all kicked out. She would even pay him back the money he fronted. Her meager savings would take a hit, but at least she wouldn't be beholden to him.
She was terrified. What if this man was a serial killer? What if his aunt really wasn't his aunt, and they were planning to make her their sex slave? Phoebe searched for her phone and checked there was enough battery juice for her to call the police if necessary. Then she tapped her phone against her thigh before tossing it onto the passenger seat.
"What the fuck did I do?" she said, dropping her forehead against the wheel. During her long drive, she had thought about nothing else but this position. She was being offered a really good opportunity, one that would not only provide her a place to stay, but also fund her entire education. She would only have to marry him and stay together for the next five years.
It's not like she was dating anyone. There was no other marriage prospect on the horizon. And it was a temporary arrangement. One that would allow her some level of security. But, was she ready to give up being single just so her education was paid?
She turned the ignition. She drew in a slow breath, then shifted into drive. Within seconds, she pulled into Ash's driveway and parked.
"It's just five years." She opened her car door and stepped out. "Paid housing." She took a step. "Health insurance. Dental. Vision." She took another step, bringing her to the bottom of the porch. She placed her hand on the railing and took one step before the door opened. Her heart flopped in her chest as she dropped her foot and waited for Ash to emerge.
In the week since their first phone conversation, they had talked nearly every day. She'd offered to chat via video, but he had declined. He'd said he wanted to be surprised upon meeting her. She'd agreed; it wasn't as if she was marrying him for love or lust anyway, so what would it matter what he looked like?
She adjusted the shoulders of her jacket, then rubbed her sweaty palms against her jeans. But what if he cared about her looks? What if he took one look at her and closed the front door of his house? It wasn't like she could force him to keep his promise.
Lower
ing her head, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and waited for him to speak. When he didn't, she took a deep breath and raised her eyes.
Staring back at her was an older woman dressed in a denim jacket with leather pants and brown tortoiseshell glasses. Her weight was braced against a cane, and her gleaming eyes were shooting daggers at Phoebe.
Phoebe forced a smile. She waved and climbed another step. "Hello. You must be Regina? I'm Phoebe. Your new..." Her voice faltered. She and Ash had had long conversations about Reggie, but he had never mentioned whether Reggie was aware of their marital arrangement. Phoebe walked up the remaining steps and stood beside her new client.
She towered over Reggie by a good five inches, which wasn't saying much considering she was five-foot-six. They stood silently as they studied each other.
Phoebe immediately recognized that Reggie's short size was misleading. The small woman exuded confidence and intelligence, even though she looked angry and exhausted. Her garishly dyed red hair was cut short, and she had double piercings in both ears.
"I'm Phoebe," she said again, extending her hand. "I'm here to help your nephew. Ashley."
Reggie craned her neck to get a good view of Phoebe's face. "I know my nephew's name." The left side of Reggie's face barely moved, causing her words to be slurred. She looked down at Phoebe's hand, then turned away to stare at Phoebe's car. "Does that piece of shit belong to you?"
Phoebe recoiled a step. She looked at her car. "You mean the blue hatchback? Yeah. It's mine." She grinned, hoping she revealed every single one of her pearly whites. "Bought and paid for."
"Its metal is probably worth more than the car." Reggie twisted her body and pointed back down the street. "You were parked out there a long time."
Phoebe straightened. She didn't think anyone would notice her out on the street. "I got here a bit early and thought I would take a few minutes to gather my thoughts."