Finished

“Are you almost finished?” Bryan asked, sounding bored out of his mind. His Nintendo Switch had just run out of battery, and I was certain he didn’t know how to entertain himself without electronics. 

“Bryan, just a few more minutes. I just have to sign my name and then will be completely finished.” What I didn’t tell him was that we would be able to eat next week with the sale. My bank account was dwindling faster than our pantry full of nonperishables. I tried not to involve Bryan in our increasing financial despair and so far he seemed oblivious to most of our troubles. Or maybe he was better than I thought at hiding his emotions. 

Bryan slumped back onto the worn couch and sighed. I knew he didn’t want to be here, but the electricity was on the verge of being shut off and I didn’t want him home alone if it did go off. Money was tight and it was all my fault. I had gotten sucked in quickly with the promise of freedom, only to find out the promised freedom had more loopholes than I thought. Loopholes that were hidden and quickly exploited. But I knew I could climb my way out. Eventually. And hopefully sooner rather than later. Once I was out of the woods, I knew exactly how I would enact my revenge. 

Perry would never see it coming. And neither would his prize-winning roses. Not until it was too late.