Chapter 41. Designer Dress

Dread filled Elaine as she came off the bus. Aunt Megan demanded that she show up at the house by five pm but here she was, picking her steps toward the house by seven. How did the woman expect her to complete a three hour ride in thirty minutes?

She walked down the curb from the bus stop that would lead to their street. She paused in front of Poppy’s Sweet Shack and waved at the store owner. He’d made her life in Aunt Megan’s house bearable.

“Elaine, good to see you again.”

She smiled at him. “You see me every week.”

The balding man, with a missing front tooth, laughed. “Would you like to come in for a treat?”

“Oh no.” She tapped her stomach. “I’m stuffed already. Maybe another time?”

“Sure.”

She waved him off and walked away. It was the same routine every week. Ever since he helped her that day that Jeremy dumped her on the street, he would always offer to give her free candy or ice cream. She had never taken him up on his offer. Well, exc