V

can't approve your application w

h my paperwork like I was just another number, another problem to d

tion," I said, trying to keep my voic

judgment. "Well, then you'll need to provide proof that you've attempt

meone when I don't

mped "DENIED" across my Medicaid

Eli was crying now, that desperate hungry cry that broke my heart. I ha

." The owner, Mel, was a heavy-set man in his fifties who thoug

en I rushed in, still trying to catc

to drop Eli off at da

a way that made my skin crawl. "You know, I've been thinking about yo

s was going. "Wh

by my office after your shift. We'll

l,

s smile was cold. "Though I doubt anyone e

odded. I needed this job. El

ht shift workers, all while Mel watched me from behind the counter. Every time I passed him, he

ring the dinner rush. "Maybe you should take

m. Instead, I smile

ver. Mrs. Chen, the elderly woman who watched him duri

she said. "Won't eat, won'

the heat radiating from his tin

spital, but..." She trailed off, bot

amp clothes and infant Tylenol I bought with my last five dollars. By mornin

ter that morning. She was my only friend, a girl I'd met at the shel

said, bouncing Eli on my

a job posting. "Look at this. Executive assistant position at Blac

a, I don't have the qualifica

alf the people they'll interview." She grabbed my hands. "Ava, this could change everyt

ured to my second hand clothes and tired f

to belong." Her voice was firm.

e than what I could give him. He deserved a mother who could provide for him, wh

whispered.

:

ed my resume at the library. It was embarrassingly thin, high school diploma, a few months of

owntown. I stood on the sidewalk, craning my neck to see th

the walls and security guards who looked like they belonged

istant interview," I told the p

down, clearly findi

Par

r. "Take the elevator to the fortiet

n in the polished steel doors, trying to smooth my hair and straighte

s offered a view of the entire city, and everything was decorated in shades of black

" she said, stopping in front of

ice, my eyes taking in the massive space, the wall of windows, t

en I s

nd the world stopped spinning. Storm-gray eyes met mine

rom that night two years a

Black