Community Service. Two words I should be thankful for, but I’m not. I resent the hours it’s away from building my business. 

When they push the little girl into the room, her crazy curls barely held back by the barrette in her hair, and studious glasses on her face, I can tell she’s scared. Something inside of me breaks, and I want this girl to feel wanted again. 

What I’m unprepared for is meeting her mom. The second our hands touch, there are fireworks, bright lights, and a picture of the future I could one day have. The future I’ve never allowed myself to wish for. 

Community service becomes more than a chore. In the months that follow, I realize they’re just like me: they’ve been abandoned, left behind by the world, forgotten by those who should love them. 

Thanks to the one last hope in both our lives - we found the light in the darkness we’d been searching for.

Trick is created by Laramie Briscoe, an eGlobal Creative Publishing author.

Trick

I’m almost positive these two have picked the three biggest pumpkins they could find to bring home and carve. “Are we even sure these will fit in the car?” I joke as we make our way to where I’ve parked. 


For a few minutes I can almost believe we’re a real family. I’m pulling a wagon, and Riley’s perched in Trick’s arms, jabbering away about carving these pumpkins. On my way over to meet them, I stopped at the grocery and picked up stuff to make us dinner, and Trick’s mentioned s’mores again. Maybe one day, this really can be my family. 


I stop at my trunk, opening it, while Trick walks Riley over to the backseat. 


“I’ll get those,” he yells, so I can hear him, as he buckles her in. 


Another thing I’m not used to, someone helping me with all the heavy lifting. It’s a lot harder for me to get used to than I ever thought it would be. I fought hard for my independence, and it’s hard letting someone help me. Which, I’m aware, is completely insane. 


Chapter Thirty-One: Flirt