Read Online Tanked: TANKED by Cheri Lewis - Free Book Online

cameras.”
    I feel nauseous again when I think about having to pay somebody else. I begin adding up the hours and they’re adding up quickly. I’d better ask how much he’s going to cost me. “Okay, who does he work for and how much will this cost?”  I’ll have to talk to Mr. Samford about adding him into my loan.
    “He works for himself and I’ll add it to my invoice so it will only be one bill. Don’t worry. He works fast.  He doesn’t like being away from his family now. So it shouldn’t be too much.”
    “Yeah but I don’t even know what I’m paying you. We’ve never got around to discussing that.”
    “I normally charge 175 an hour and my expens—” His phone rings and he looks down at it in his hand. “Excuse me I have to take this.”
    I freak out and whisper to Jessie, “One hundred and seventy-five dollars! How in the hell am I supposed to pay him a hundred and seventy-five dollars and hour? I’ll never get him paid off; I set up a payment of twenty-five dollars a week.”
    Jessie stands from the recliner then sits beside me on the couch and wraps his arm around me, “I’ve got some money, I can always ask daddy number two and you can ask your parents.  No matter what, you’re covered. You’re not alone.”
    My eyes well up and I nod. Tank walks back into the living room and pushes his phone back down in his jean pocket. “Good news. That was the camera guy.  He said he was making a trip into the city tomorrow with his family so while they shop he will camera your place up.  I need to get back to the office. I have some stuff that needs to be taken care of.  Do you have any more questions?” I shake my head. “Alright then if you need me, call me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”  My eyes follow him as he leaves the room and then I hear the front door shut.
    I look at Jessie. “Do you think I’ll have to pay him while he stands around and watches the other guy put up the cameras?”
    “Well if there’s one thing we’re good at sunshine, it’s spending money.” I laugh to keep from crying and I lay my head on my best friend’s shoulder.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
    Camera Man
     
    I lean against the counter in the darkened kitchen; my head is pounding with a headache.  Last night after the lights went out and the house was quiet, I had way too much time to think.  I ended up in bed with Jessie and Prima, and cried myself to sleep. 
    Jessie walks in the kitchen behind me and I ask, “What were you talking about when I walked in the living room last night?”
    “I’d told him I was going to quit the airline and stay home with you, since the guy seems to leave you alone when somebody is with you and he was telling me why that was a bad idea.”
    “Do I want to know why that’s a bad idea?”
    “We didn’t get that far.”
    “Oh.”
    He leans in and reaches an arm around my neck hugging me against him, my back to his front, “I called June and told her we weren’t coming to church this morning and that you had a terrible headache.”
    “Thank you, I don’t think I want to leave the house today.”
    “Well she said they were going to go by after church, pick something up on the way for lunch and bring it here to check on you.”
    I let out a long sigh, too tired to be upset with my mother and happy the coffee was finally done making its percolating noises. I impatiently wait for the last few drops to come down when I turn and face Jessie. “I wouldn’t expect any different.”
    He hands me the creamer out of the fridge and I make my coffee. I grab the bottle of ibuprofen off the counter then go to my brown recliner and relax into it.  I take my headache medicine and chase it with hazelnut flavored coffee.  Prima jumps into my lap and curls into a little ball. I pet her lightly and close my eyes, willing my headache to go away.
    I was startled awake when Jessie shakes my arms whispering very low but excitedly. At first fear pulses through and me then his words finally