Prologue

Bills, Bills, Bills

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Amy Kendal

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“D AMN IT!”

Sitting in a heap on the floor, surrounded by paper scattered in all directions, Amy’s head fell. It didn’t matter how many times she did the math; the calculations didn’t add up. There wasn’t enough money coming in to cover the enormous floods going out, and the latest demand from the funeral home was the frosting on a rather bitter cake.

Glancing around the tiny lounge of her dingy apartment, tears burned in her eyes as she recalled how she had come to her current penniless predicament.

Her two boys, who were now men, had moved away, but both had left her with huge expenses in their own ways. Her eldest, Seth, had gone off the rails as a teen and ended up in trouble with the law. His jail bonds had cost her ten thousand alone, despite the fact he’d gone on to re-offend and had ultimately ended up in prison. Unease twisted in her belly at the galling thought. She loved Seth with all her heart but couldn’t excuse his poor life choices.

Jonah had chosen a different path from his brother and elected to go to college. Amy had naturally thrown the full weight of her support behind the affirming idea, but an education—like everything else—cost money. She’d taken a second job and numerous loans to help get him there, and that money didn’t include the student debt she knew he’d accrued. The costs were a worthwhile investment in Jonah’s future, but that was little consolation when she hardly had enough to pay for food.

The final straw had been Graham’s death. The aneurism that had snatched him away had been sudden, taking his life rapidly, but the medical and cremation bills that followed had been protracted and expensive. Even eighteen months after his demise, Amy was left juggling the repayment plan she’d managed to negotiate with the funeral home. The manager there had gone to great lengths to emphasize her good fortune for receiving the plan, but it was difficult to appreciate that ‘luck’ when it only represented another three-figure sum to be found every month.

The ringtone of her phone jarred her from her woe. The device only symbolized another sum she struggled to afford, but she welcomed the distraction. Her heart swelled as Jonah’s name flashed on the screen, and grabbing the phone, she answered the call.

“Jonah!”

“Hey, Mum. How are you?” He paused, as if he already knew the answer to the question.

“I’m fine.”

She feigned contentment, hoping he’d believe her. The last thing he needed as he grappled with his upcoming exams was to worry about his mother. She wanted him to thrive and excel and that meant not fretting about their financial state.

“Are you sure?” He sighed. “You sound frazzled.”

“I could use some sleep.” Her gaze rose to her bed on the other side of the studio. “It’s great to hear from you. How are your studies going?”

“Good.” It was Jonah’s turn to sound uncertain.

“But?” she prompted, sensing he hadn’t just called for a social chat. “What’s wrong, Jay-Jay?”

Sethy and Jay had been the boy’s nicknames when they were little, and something about using the term of endearment soothed her as her maternal anxiety stirred. Jonah had grown into a strong, resilient man since his brother’s abrupt departure, so if, as she suspected, he was calling her for help or support, something must be wrong.

“I hate to ask, Mum.” Once again, he hesitated, the delay ratcheting her ballooning apprehension. “But there’s an accelerated revision program my tutor wants to send me on, and—”

“And it’s more than you can afford.” The answer was suddenly obvious as she interrupted him.

Jonah was already working to pay for himself as he studied, but much like his mother’s bank balances, there was little slack in his system for unexpected expenses.

“That’s about the size of it,” he confirmed. “Look, I know you’re up to your eyes in debt since Dad died, but I wondered if there was any way you can help. I don’t want to miss the chance to take this program. My tutor thinks it’ll nudge me into the top five percent.”

“In your college?” Pride swelled as she processed his words.

“No, Mum.” He laughed. “In the country.”

“Wow.” Amy smiled, despite the demands of the piles of paper around her. “I’m so proud of you, Jay-Jay.”

“Thanks.”

She heard the shift in his voice.

“I appreciate that, Mum, but... what about the money?”

The money.

The bubble of delight that had grown burst at the reminder. There was never enough money, and everything good in the world seemed to be dominated by the currency, but its flow only seemed to go in one direction— out of her hands.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but can you help?” Jonah’s question thrust her straight back into the then and there.

“Of course I will, love.” She cringed as she promised the impossible. “Send me over the details, and I’ll work it out. I’ll find the cash, somehow.”

“Thanks, Mum.”

Even as Jonah expressed his gratitude, and without even knowing what his needs were, she realized she was never going to be able to meet the new costs.

Not without a miracle.