Loss & Liberation: A Jane Austen Midlife Variation Novella (Jane Austen Midlife Variations Book 2) by Beth Byers

Author:Beth Byers [Byers, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2022-07-24T00:00:00+00:00

“I have no words for what just happened,” Hetty told Charlotte, holding her stomach. “Why was that good?”

“I have no idea.” Charlotte was lying flat on her back, her stomach mounded above her. She was usually bone thin, but she was carrying a food mountain at the moment that put pressure on her leggings. “But it was. I’d have kept eating if I didn’t have to vomit it up a moment later.”

Hetty groaned at the idea, but it had been ridiculously good. “I could see a little sour cream next time.”

“Do you realize you just said next time?”

“I do. I’ve given up all hope of a normal life, I think. It’s now just stretches of time between the waffle chili sundaes.”

“Oh gross. That makes me think of ice cream too.”

“It’s just a matter of time before your son has us doing something evil with ice cream as well.” Hetty laughed and then looked at Charlotte. Her friend had a sense of peace to her that Hetty had never seen. “Do you like your work?”

Charlotte looked at Hetty seriously. “Most people don’t, you know.”

“I know. Am I a terrible person for wanting work I don’t hate? I think I could get a job in a care center for the elderly and—I just want to die at that thought.”

“I don’t think you should do that job then,” Charlotte said. “You aren’t in full distress yet. That’s the work you take when you’re one step from homelessness, which you aren’t.”

“Am I not in distress? I need to be able to look after myself, Charlotte. I appreciate you. I appreciate you massively, but I need to be able to have some money. I’m tired of being desperately poor.”

Charlotte’s mouth twisted. “I would give you money to help you. I want to help.”

“I don’t want to be an endless charity case, Charlotte. I do appreciate you. I’d already be in a shelter without you.” She paused. “I got a job today. It’s horrible.”

“Oh Hetty,” Charlotte groaned. “I’m so sorry it is. Remember you aren’t desperate. I would help you no matter what. Do you realize that you were my only friend when I needed you, Hetty? Friends help each other. You helped me more than I can say, and having you stay in a room that is going to cost me the same amount of money whether you are there or not, and your help, and the knowledge that you’re here when my boys are here, preventing them from burning the house down or bringing girls home for shenanigans gives me a priceless peace of mind.”

Hetty wished she could say the same about the boys. She liked them. She just didn’t want the burden of the boys or to feel responsible if they did something terrible. She didn’t have another option at the moment, so she said, “I’m glad I can help now, but—”

Charlotte’s face was overwhelmed with sympathy. “I understand. It’s why I went back to school, even though Collins would have continued to pay for everything.

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