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promise.”

“But—”

“I don’t really need a lecture on how I should be able to but can’t afford

childcare, and how I don’t know anyone here because I just moved, and

how I’m a terrible mother who endangers my child unduly, and on all my

other failings. I think it would be much easier just to get to work instead of

wasting all this time debating my questionable parenting skills. If you work

where you have direct sight of the door, then she has no chance to leave.

Yes?”

“Yes.” The word was dragged from the depths of Christina’s deepest

reluctance.

“Or you could just sit in there with her. I have no choice. I have to get

that fencing done.”

“No!”

“No, you don’t want to sit in there or no, the fencing shouldn’t be

done?”

“Both,” Christina hissed. Her fingers clutched the list so hard that it was

kind of crazy that they didn’t tear through it. “I can’t sit in there. It would

annoy her while she’s watching her movie. I have to make calls and talk to

people. I’ll watch the door.”

“And no more comments about how I’m a bad mom? Even if I am, I

would never endanger my child. I love that girl more than anything on this

earth. I would fight to the death for her. We’re clear on that?”

At least Christina looked embarrassed. Still. She didn’t like the

accusations and insinuations. No one wanted to be called a bad parent. No

one wanted to hear that they didn’t give their all for their child.

Taylor turned, leaving Christina behind. She had her phone in her

pocket and she set the timer for thirty minutes. The situation was out of her

control. She knew she had to be at work since Christina kept harping on it

endlessly. She felt so pressured to get to an open date that she was basically