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“Open it.”
She opens the flap, and her eyes grow wide.
“What in the world, Sterling,” she whispers. “Who gave this to you?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before. And I was pretty loopy, but all I remember is a man in a suit and he had these dark, unapologetic eyes. But that’s all. He mumbled some things to me,” I say as I focus hard on the memory, remembering bits and pieces as I do. “He told me that he needed the accident to be kept quiet. Said that someone he loves will be destroyed if I speak out about being hit,” I continue. I try my best to remember the conversation, but my heart is pounding so hard I can’t hear myself think. “He didn’t say much else. He apologized again, for my car being totaled, gave methatand then walked away,” I finish.
“And did you ask the nurses who he was?” she asks.
“I did. But they said no one had been in to visit me. I know I didn’t hit a deer. I know I definitely didn’t imagine that man being in my room. And I know it was a car that hit me, Dakota.” Saying it out loud sends a chill across my body. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around this insane situation.
“What are you going to do with it?” she asks as she hands it back to me. I blow out a shaky breath before stuffing it in my purse.
“I don’t know, Dakota. I mean, I could use it to pay this damn hospital bill. God knows I don’t have health insurance. Or I could use it to buy a new car. Maybe something that starts on the first try.” I think of all the things twenty grand could do for me right now. I’ve been struggling for years on my own, even while living with Dakota, who covers half the costs.
“Sterling, I know your situation is tough right now,” she says in a gentle tone. “I’m always here for you if you need anything, I’ll help out as much as I can. But taking that bribe, that could be just as bad as the man who gave it to you.” She shifts in her stance, leaning down to help me get out of the chair.
She’s right. I know that taking this money is so wrong. But I’m tired of not being able to provide on my own, and the money is already mine technically. It’s not like I can track this man down and give it back to him.
“Let’s get you home so you can get some sleep, okay? We can talk more about it tomorrow if you want.” Dakota wraps an arm around my shoulder as she walks me out of the hospital.
It’s been a week since the car accident. The doctor suggested I rest for a few days before going back to work, so today is my first day back. My boss, Giselle, was not thrilled to hear about my car accident. Not that she was concerned about me at all, she just hates when people take time off.
I spent most of my days in bed, the white envelope on my nightstand haunting me. I thought about everything I could do with that kind of money. Buy a plane ticket and move somewhere new. Buy a fancy new car. Pay the hospital bills that have already started coming in. Or maybe take Dakota with me and blow it on a weekend in Vegas. But ultimately, I decided to shove it back in my purse and cart it around with me on my way to work. I’m second guessing my choice now, as I sit on a bus full of strangers, wondering what they would do if they knew of the contents of my purse right now.
I feel so relieved when I finally make it to the café. I’m more than an hour late though because I really don’t know the public transit system yet. The bus didn’t show up on time, it took me the wrong way and then I realized I actually got on the wrong bus.
“Hi, Giselle!” I frantically run behind the counter and reach for my apron. “I’m so sorry I’m late. I tried calling the store, but the phone gave a busy sig-”
“You’re fired,” she speaks, not looking up from her books.
I laugh, a little panicky because I can’t tell if she’s being serious or not. The café is booming with business. Bri is taking latte orders for a line of six customers, while Josh is cleaning tables for people waiting to sit. There’s no one preparing food by the ovens for bakery items, which would have been Dakota if she hadn’t graduated nursing school and quit her job here.
“I can work late if you need me to. I’m so sorry.” I continue to wrap my apron around my waist as I start to clock in at the register.
She reaches in front of the register, blocking me from punching my time in. “You’re fired,” she repeats, in a sharp, whispered tone. She waves her hands at my apron, directing me to take it off and give it back to her.
“Giselle, you can’t be serious.” I don’t move, but she continues holding out her hand and staring at me unblinkingly.
“Drop your apron, I’ll write you your last check now. That way I don’t have to worry about you being late to pick that up too,” she snarls.
“Giselle, please,” I beg as I unwrap the apron from around my waist. “I really can’t afford to lose this job right now.”
“Well, you obviously can’t afford to keep it either, because you’re always late!” She throws her finger up in the air as she walks into the backroom, the backroom doors swinging past each other aggressively after her. Giselle is tough and doesn’t take any bullshit. Even though she can be sweet, she has a firm ‘three strikes and you’re out’ rule.
I’ve been late two times in the four years I’ve been here. Today makes three.
Returning in minutes with a check, I try to bargain with her. Beg her not to do this.
“Giselle,” I plead one last time. My entire body cringes when I notice that everyone is watching me.
“I have a business to run, and it’s no longer benefiting from you,” she says. Her words come out harshly, stinging me as they hit. I’m reminded of my mom’s words.No one wants you here anyway.
I don’t see the point in arguing anymore. I try to hold back tears as I reluctantly hand her my apron, take my final paycheck and head for the door, avoiding eye contact with every customer on my way out.
I reach into my purse for my phone, planning to request a rideshare, when I see it staring at me. That stupid envelope, stuffed with cash. My mind races in circles yet again, thinking of all the ways I could better my life with this kind of money.
It takes me a minute to process my thoughts;is this something I really want to do?Do I want to take this stranger’s money and use it to right his wrongdoing? Two wrongs don’t make a right. But for the first time in my life, I feel like I actually have the power to take control of my future. Call it fate or destiny or a fucked-up joke from the Cosmos, but this money practically landed in my lap, and I get to decide how I use it.
