Chapter 31: Chapter 31

The box of clothes from Del’s sister Bernie arrived the same day as Justin’s first social security payment for the kids, and just like that a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. The next day the kids marched over to Del’s house wearing their new-to-them clothes, and Del watched over them while Justin borrowed his car and went grocery shopping. Things were going good.

Even Emily the social worker thought so when she came for her visit. She asked about Scarlett’s ear infection, and Justin flushed when he admitted he hadn’t got his car fixed yet and didn’t know when he would, but he’d borrowed his neighbor’s car that night—he made no mention of borrowing the neighbor too—and had permission to do it again when he needed.

“Your neighbor?” Emily asked, raising her brows. “I didn’t know any of them were on good terms with your family.”