Terry Jewell's Arc

Chapter 8 of 9

Terry had told Heather she was safe now. He meant it. But a promise didn't pay rent. They had the apartment at last, a cozy unit with a tidy balcony, and Heather covered every bill alone. Terry hated that. A man should carry his woman, not lean on her. So each morning he sat at the kitchen table with his phone and a list. He called and called. He asked about warehouse work, delivery routes, anything. Most places said they would call back. They never did. Some said the spot was filled. One man hung up before Terry finished talking. By the fourth day his neck ached from holding the phone. He rubbed his eyes and stared at the crossed-out names. Heather found him hunched there one evening. Lily trotted behind her, tags jingling. "You've been at this all week," she said. "You don't have to do it all today." "I do," Terry said. "You shouldn't be paying for everything. That's on me." He didn't look up. Heather set a hand on his shoulder and said nothing. The puppy pressed against his leg. The next morning Terry made ten more calls. Nine went nowhere. He crossed out nine names. His coffee went cold. He thought about giving up for the day. Then the phone rang in his hand. He almost dropped it. "Hello?" A man's voice. A manager from the warehouse across town. He said Terry had a good work history. He said they needed someone Monday. "You want the job?" Terry gripped the table edge. "Yes," he said. "Yes, sir. I want it." They talked hours and pay. Terry wrote it all on the back of his crossed-out list. His hand shook. When the call ended he sat still for a second, letting it sink in. Then he stood and shouted Heather's name. She came running. Lily bounded after her. "I got it," Terry said. "I got the job. Monday." His voice cracked. "I can pay now. You won't carry it alone anymore." Heather's blue eyes filled. She threw her arms around him. Terry held her tight and felt something lift off his chest, the weight he'd hauled all week. He kissed the top of her head. Lily barked and spun at their feet. "I told you I'd take care of you," Terry said. "Now I can." Heather laughed through tears. "I never doubted it." But over her shoulder, Terry saw the fear he'd noticed for weeks flicker back into her face. The job would fix the money. It wouldn't fix whatever she still hid from him. He held her closer and made himself a new promise. Once he was steady, once she saw him standing tall for her, he would get her to say what haunted her. And he would be there this time.