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My alarm clock blared

It did this for a full five ed from whatever black abyss I descend into when asleep Another five h to sit up in bed Truly, I was the waking dead

As I sat there on the edge of the bed, wishing like hell I was back in that abyss, e I flopped ht stand, felt around until I found ht it over to my half-open eyes

A text from Danny, my dear old ex-husband, only not so dear anyravatedover Need help

"Shit"

And just as I deleted hissound on the front door

"Shit," I said again Definitely not hoanted to start my day

Ever

I hauled hthe way, I grabbed lasses from the kitchen table, put them on, and opened the front door

It was, of course, Danny In all his pitiful glory, silhouetted against the glare froht, especially after just awakening I backed up, shielding osi movie

"Sam, can we talk?"

"Do I have a choice?"

He ca the door quickly Danny knew the routine He&039;d lived long enough with my condition to knohat to do I feltroom chair and sank down

"Geez, Sam You don&039;t look too well"

"Ya think"

Now that he was inside, I took in his unshaven face, wrinkled suit, disheveled hair, and couldn&039;t find the energy to say so the kettle black Instead, I said, "What do you want, Danny?"

"I need to hire you, Sah Except laughing was for people who hadn&039;t just e"

"I&039;m serious, Sam I need to hire you"

"You, who hasn&039;t paid me a dime of child support in seven months?"

He shifted in his seat As he did so, I saw that his upper lip ollen "I know, Sam, and I&039;m sorry This hasn&039;t been easy on et into it with Danny At least not now Hell, I had a whole lifetiet into it with him

"Fine," I said "What kind of help?"

"Protection"

"What kind of protection?"