Collision - Two Worlds

ndows of the cramped apartment hallway. Savannah Hart sat on the floor outside her flat, back against the peeling wall,

once, twice,

t and accented, like a warm hug. "Mi cielo, is e

mother couldn't see but might hear anyway. "I'm fine,

ound t

picking at the frayed hem of h

Sleeping? Your father says

d sleeping. I've got a g

opened envelopes in her bag. Final Notice. Immediate Action Required. Past Due. The wo

ed, steering the conv

fornia to visit. I told him to wait until you s

t tight. "I'm okay," she lied. "Ju

was a

said. "Call us more often,

e whispered.

there a moment longer, her shoulders hunched. Everything was slipping o

e had a job. A stea

lso had a boss who didn'

the moment she stayed late and he cornered her, hand brushing her hip like

onal," "disruptive," and "volatile." HR didn't investigate. T

beginning o

fridge was empty. And the jobs she'd

off her pants, and turned

ame th

BANG

to Mrs. Kline, her landlady-a tall,

"Mrs. Kline. Please, I just need a little more time-

than enough time. You

sorry. I didn't plan for

t," the woman snapped. Then, motioning

h's small collection of belongings-two suitcases, a folding chair, a

lushed hot

r voice cracking. "Don't do

ff its backing. She slapped it onto the front

way fell

for the

never offered a hello-stood at their do

of them said loud enough for her to hear.

say anything. Wh

he stuffed it with clothes and books, trying to look

familiar vo

av

aya stood at the stairwell, sunglasses o

hat's going on? Why are

re finally cracked

eeling beside her. "

r since I got fired but nothing came through. And I didn't want to tell my

nnah's shoulders. "You should've told me. You t

want to be

. You're my best friend.

linked. "Y

rse I mean it. Come on, we'll take your s

rs anymore. She clung to her friend

ered in the wind. And for the first time in weeks, something inside S

, wiped her eyes, and foll

was also where n