What We Do in the Night (Day to Night #1) - Stylo Fantome Page 0,10
from her trust fund.
Valentine had been a minor when her parents had died, so her sister had been appointed her guardian, and as such, she'd been put in charge of the healthy trust fund Val had received. Val had never thought to remove her sister's access to the account because ... well ... they were sisters. Friends. She'd trusted her.
Bad idea. Big Sister had been giving the money to her loser boyfriend, who'd claimed he was “investing it”. Turned out crystal meth wasn't such a hot investment. When Val had confronted her sister and the guy, it had turned into an ugly screaming match that had ended with the dude being kicked out.
A week later, their apartment was burglarized. Everything Val'd owned had been stolen. And even though it was clear who the culprit had been, her sister had refused to believe it. Another week later, she got back together with the jerk.
Val had already enrolled for her third year of school, and the bill had been coming due. She wasn't a New Yorker for nothing, though, so she'd gone out and she'd found work. Waitressing, and then go-go dancing. But after just one year of school and dancing, she'd known she couldn't go on like that forever.
Then it had hit her – Chicago. She loved Illinois, loved her grandmother. She looked up design schools and found one there that fit all her needs. It would be easy enough to transfer credits, and she was ready to be done with her sister.
They'd never been particularly close, so Val just wanted it to be over. No point in trying to get her money back, because she couldn't afford a lawyer, and as much as she didn't particularly care for her sister, she also didn't want to put her behind bars. Running away had seemed like the most affordable, easiest option.
And after one quick call to her beloved Gam-Gam, who'd immediately offered to financially support her schooling, Val had gone ahead and made the necessary arrangements to move her entire life to a city she barely knew.
And just one week after arriving, disaster had struck again.
“Gam-Gam,” Valentine called out in a soft voice as she stepped through her front door. She walked into the small town house and held still for a moment, listening for any movement. Then she shut the door behind her and dropped her backpack to the floor.
It was late, almost six, and the sun was starting to set. Golden rays were beaming through the downstairs, making everything glow golden. She peeked in the living room, and when she didn't see anyone there, she turned towards the kitchen. She'd barely gotten a foot through the doorway when she heard someone on the stairs.
“She's in bed.”
Nurse Grace moved swiftly and silently down the steps, her jacket folded over one arm and her purse in her other hand. Valentine turned around to face her.
“How'd she do today?”
“Oh, pretty good. We played some games and watched some television, and I did her hair,” Grace responded as they both headed to the front door. Val stood aside as she opened it.
“Any luck with getting her in the shower?”
“Sorry, no. Maybe tomorrow she'll be up for it. I'll see you in the morning, Miss Valentine.”
They said their goodbyes and Val shut the front door behind the nurse. Then she went into the kitchen and put together a quick snack. Soft cheese on crackers, applesauce, and a nutrition supplemental shake. After she had everything on a tray, she headed upstairs. Once she got to the top, the first door on the right opened a crack.
“You're home.”
Bailey, her kinda-sorta roommate.
“Yeah. Did you get my text?”
“Yeah – you need to go at eight, it's cool. I gotta run out.”
“Alright. You'll be back in time?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
And with that, the other girl was gone, racing down the stairs and out the door.
Val continued on her way to the door at the end of the hall. She balanced the tray on one arm, paused for a moment so she could paste a smile on her face, then she pushed open the door.
“Hey, Gam-Gam, ready to eat?”
Eugenia Parker had been a sturdy woman back in her day. Tall, easily five-foot-eight or over, with broad shoulders and a heavy build. She'd never shied away from hard work, and she'd always had a quick wit. A sharp mind. She'd been able to go toe to toe with anyone on any subject, and had usually come out the winner.