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the only female member of their group, accepting her in as one of their own with lavish promises to assist her as they could. Brittany smiled brightly, feeling like she, at last, found a place to fit in. She caught Reed’s eye and flashed him a special smile. He frowned. It wasn't a smile, it was a smirk. Told you so , it said.
    Brett elbowed his friend as he gestured towards his sister. “Looks like she found a way to weasel some support, huh?”
    “You caught it too? I thought I was just being suspicious. I gather this is her M.O.”
    “Yup. It worked on Dad for years until he finally had to put a stop to it by throwing her out. She was threatening his business with her activity.”
    “He tossed her out instead of helping her?” Reed questioned.
    Brett shrugged. “You know as well as I do that you can only help an addict if they want it. Personally, after I thought about it, he was helping her by cutting her off. It sent her our way. Reed?”
    “Yeah, buddy?” Reed watched the girl flirt with the men as they shared their AA wisdom.
    “Be careful. Don’t let her play you. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Britt’s my sister. I love her. But I also know that she has a belief system that might not include the likes of men like us.”
    “Cops?”
    “No. Not rolling in money. She seems to think she needs to marry rich to be happy. Her self-esteem is so low that she believes she only has her looks to put out as an offer for a husband.”
    “That’s bullshit.” Reed looked again at the girl as she forced a laugh. “What she needs is a strong hand to guide her and faith to help her reach her potential.”
    “I agree. That and a good walloping, to coin a phrase,” Brett sighed.
    “Again, the strong hand. Don’t you worry about it. She will get what she needs to see the seriousness of her predicament. Let’s close the meeting before she thinks she’s in control.”
    As was their habit, the three went to the diner after the meeting was over. The men ordered their coffee and pie while Brittany sipped ice tea. She was quiet, thinking about some of the stuff that had been shared.
    “You’re awfully quiet. What’s on your mind?” Brett asked, elbowing his sister.
    “I was just thinking about Kraus. You would never have known that the old geezer had a family once.”
    “That old geezer was mayor of his town back in Ohio,” Reed commented.
    “He also had a law degree and was a partner in a successful firm when he moved out here to LA,” Brett added. “He was disbarred and fired after the accident. His wife divorced him immediately.”
    “To top it off, he was so depressed that he drank himself numb. One night, he left the stove on and burned his house down. He literally lost everything,” Reed finished. “It doesn’t take much to get that line of destruction going, Britt. We’ll talk more tonight. Let’s get outta here. I don’t want us to be up too late.”
    “I think I got it, Reed. I’ve heard enough to last me a lifetime,” Britt yawned.
    “Trust me, it won’t kill you to hear a little more,” Reed responded, standing.
    Brittany rolled her eyes. “That’s what you think,” she muttered under her breath as she followed the two men to the car.

Chapter Four
     
     
    “Hello, Harry. How’s my favorite boy? Your face is filthy. What have you been eating?” Brittany asked, heading straight for the meowing bird. Harry ruffled his feathers and climbed onto her shoulder, rubbing against her hair as he wiped off his beak that was covered with seed husks.
    “Do I have to start meowing to get that kind of attention? Or not wipe my face every time I eat?” Reed asked, putting his keys and wallet away.
    “Maybe. You certainly ruffle your feathers enough.”
    “Are you calling me a birdbrain?”
    “If the shoe fits…”
    “Sit down, brat. Do you want anything?”
    “Just for you to finish your stupid lecture, so that we can make out. I need me some serious