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“I’m just glad people were buying it up. I have to come up with a couple more recipes to add once people get used to these.”

“The caramel macchiato and dark chocolate mochas did what they needed to do though.”

“I know, right. I had to go into my savings to pay for the kids’ day care since Greg’s lying ass hadn’t been paying his part for the past month.”

“Girl, I know you’re sick of him because I damn sure am.”

“I’m beyond sick. I’m not leaving shit up to him anymore. I already know I can’t depend on him or trust his words. I gotta do what I gotta do.”

“I don’t blame you, bae.”

“Let’s get everything situated so I can go pick Trey up from day care. I can’t pay no more late pickup fees.”

“I heard that. Is Theo back in school?”

“Girl, yes! I had to tell his little ass something about his big-ass mouth. He had the nerve to be picking on somebody about their mom never coming to pick them up when his dad been locked up since before he could remember.”

“That’s probably why he’s mad, Shiloh,” Rhonda noted.

“I understand that, but he can’t take it out on somebody in the same situation he’s in. He don’t know why that little boy’s mama isn’t around. She might be dead. If anything, he should be trying to bond with the boy and make sure he’s OK. I curse his dad out from time to time, but I’m not raising no damn bully.”

“I heard that.”

With Rhonda’s playlist blasting her favorite songs, we made quick work of cleaning up and getting everything set aside for the following day. A little over thirty minutes later, Rhonda was on her way home, and I was in the driver’s seat of the truck, ready to go to Tiny Scholars to get my baby.

I pulled out of the lot in the park next to the office buildings where I preferred to park and headed to the day care center. As I sat at the red light, the truck made a weird sound. I looked down at the dashboard and noticed a red thermostat flashing on the dashboard.

“No,” I grumbled, throwing my head back as I watched the temperature gauge climb.

With everything else going on, the last thing I needed was for my truck to start acting up.

“Come on, baby. Don’t do this.” I urged, knowing that my girl would let me down no matter how much I begged her to do otherwise.

Remembering one of the only things Maurice had taught me, I moved over to the shoulder and turned off the truck. I had to let it cool off. There was only about ten minutes before it was time for me to pick Trey up, so I knew I had to call in a favor.

“What’s up, bae?” Rhonda answered after a couple of rings.

“Girl, the truck is running hot.”

“What? Where are you now? You need me to come get you?” she questioned.

“I just pulled over to let it cool off, but I need you to grab Trey from day care. I can’t be late picking him up right now.”

“I got you, bae. Do I need to come to you?” she asked.

“I’m going to try to make it home. I can’t leave my girl on the side of the road like this.”

After ending the call with Rhonda, I just sat there for a minute, trying to get my head together. I didn’t have time for car trouble, and I damn sure didn’t have the money. Without my food truck, I couldn’t make money. As much as it pained me, I knew I had to do what I had to do.

Pulling out my phone, I looked up mechanics near me. There were a few in the area, the closest one was less than a half mile away. I looked up and scanned the area as I fired the truck back up. It had cooled off enough for me to try to move on. I didn’t waste any time tearing down the street toward the closest shop.

I drove carefully, praying that I didn’t cause any permanent damage to my motor. I couldn’t afford to have my truck towed even a short distance. There was already no telling how much it would cost to have it repaired. I’d probably driven past the place a thousand times, but I had never needed their services. It only took a couple of minutes for me to spot it.

Even after the short drive, the temperature was in the red again by the time I pulled into the parking lot of my destination. I came to a stop once I was in front of the huge garage that sat behind an office building. There were several other cars parked out front and a few men dressed in gray shirts in the garage. As I climbed out of the truck, one of the men walked toward me.

“How can we help you today?” he asked.

“My truck is overheating.”