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okay? The relationship between the United States and the Cuban governments’ isn’t exactly...robust. I’m sorry if I’m being too blunt, I don’t mean to interrogate you. I’m just curious.”
    She shrugs. “It’s okay. My dad took care of the paperwork for me at the time. He handles visas and deportation and stuff at work, so he must have figured it out.”
    I nod, satisfied with the answer.
    She continues, “So I might go back to help out with my mother. I just need to save up some more money first.”
    “Wow, that’s really nice, putting someone else’s needs before your own. It’s really selfless of you. I’m not sure I could do that.” I play with the rim of the glass and try to change the subject before it gets sappy and awkward. “What about the new job though? You said you haven’t been in town very long.”
    “Yeah, I know. I feel bad. It wasn’t the plan, but things have gotten worse with mom’s health in the past couple of weeks, right after I moved here basically.”
    “How did you end up in Kansas then? We never did get there. Florida, FSU, then what?” I take another sip of my beer.
    “I did some work with the city of Tallahassee right after school for a while, then I saw this job opening here. It was a better job that paid more, so I applied and they flew me in for an interview, and here we are.”
    “Speaking of that, what are you doing for the city? I wasn’t even aware there was an opening.”
    “I’m the City Clerk.”
    “What happened to Helga?”
    “Who?”
    “Helga. She was the City Clerk for as long as I can remember.”
    “Oh, I don’t know. Retired maybe.”
    I grunt. “Good for her. She was a nice lady, always liked her. I guess I’ve been out of the loop lately. I’ve been a bit preoccupied.”
    “Why’s that?”
    I motion to her full glass and chuckle. “You may want to drink that up. You might need it.”
    She grabs the glass from the table and leans back in her chair. “I’m listening.”
    I tell her my story. I tell her everything about what’s going on at work, the Zved’s, Frank, and what happened to my father. I tell her too much information probably, but it’s nice to have someone to talk to. Plus, I’m here for a reason, so I need to gauge her reaction to see if she’s going to work. She eats most of her plate by the time I finish talking, but she listens politely. When finished, I exhale and guzzle the rest of my beer. Just talking about it has gotten my blood boiling.
    Alicia takes the opportunity to chime in. “That’s quite a story,” she says.
    I slam the empty glass on the table harder than I expected, and the clunk of the glass surprises me. It’s time to talk business. “So I know we just met and all, and this may seem a bit sudden and out of nowhere, but I’m thinking we may be able to help each other out…if you’re interested.”
    She contemplates while intently studying me, and I can tell I have her attention. She leans forward in her chair and rests her elbows on the table. “What did you have in mind?”
    “What would you say if I told you I may be able to help you with your money troubles?

CHAPTER NINE
GEORGE
     
     
    I stand alone in the closet while my mind runs rampant with more questions than answers. She’s pregnant? Did she look pregnant? That would make her six weeks along, could I even tell at this point? I didn’t notice anything, but I wasn’t looking either. Why would she tell me that if it wasn’t true? Is it mine? It has to be mine, right?
    Billy will be back soon, so I try to pull myself together. I take a deep breath and think. Okay, so what now? Option one is do what these guys say and hope I don’t die. Hope we don’t die. Option two is refuse to help them and definitely die. I don’t really have much of a choice, do I?
    In the hall, I hear footsteps. Billy’s coming. Moments later, the door opens and he enters.
    “So,” Billy begins, “what will it be?”
    “You win.”
    Billy nods his head