d coffee. Aria stood on the steps of the City Clerk's Off

e had sobered up and realized m

lack with rust eating at the wheel wells, rumbled around the corner. It backfired on

oaned as it opened.

ck t-shirt, and jeans that had seen better d

as holding. She walked down the steps, winc

me," sh

truck and pulled out a thick manila envelop

n her hands. It was heavy.

s a paralegal," Harland

more complex than she expected for a starving artist. There were clauses about intellec

te life, I owe you..." She squinted at the zeros

aid, leaning against the t

her purse and flipped to the last page. She

Harland," she said, handing it b

eadable. "Remember, Aria. The only way out of

he muttered

nd a couple who couldn't stop kissing. Aria stared at the fluorescent ligh

of your own free will?" the

" Ari

Harla

nse. No rings. No vo

ht, Aria held the certificate like a shie

ng?" Harland asked

Aria said. "Then I need to find a pla

his chin toward the Bronc

e passenger seat was covered

ns," h

The engine roared to life, vibrating the entire chassis. Aria

nality," she shouted

resting casually on the gear stick. "Like

ar from it. "I'm a survivor too," she said so

he hard line of his jaw softened. "One

rise to her cheeks

rue," h

to lighten the mood. "I'll cook dinner. T

w. "You cook? I thought

It's like architecture. Structure, balanc

heel. The truck lurc

id. "But I'm

purse. "I know how to stretch a

He parked the truck, the eng