The tricked-out Ford 250 wound up and out of the cup de sac. Itsped through the gates of Brentwoods. Carlene gave the security guard a friendly wave. She headed for the highway. Her phone beeped and her dashboard read the incoming text: Tristan - get Takis and Red Bull nitro and coach needs the trip money like yesterday. Picking up speed, Carlene focused on the road ahead. Things had been going so well before it all turned to shit. First the business manager job at the doctor’s office and then the township job, Carlene had always been able to finesse what her family needed. There was always enough for her kids and for Rex. Things were good until some nosy parkers decided to audit the books. Carlene punched for her radio stations. Rex’s lawn service business was just getting started, there were bills and the kids’ tuitions, Carlene had to do beyond sell real estate. Gideon had been a gift. Carlene took the exit.

Carlene met Gideon at one of her open houses. The showing was going well with mostly just local looks loos. She baked cookies to create a homey feel in the cavernous McMansion. Lanky with a big smile and a halo of locs, Gideon looked out of his depths amongst the Carrera marble countertops and the sea of white people. Instantly she recognized him, Gideon Luke Shaw, the BettaBillion MegePowerBall winner. Gideon opened cabinets and checked out the appliances. Gideon had won 17 million dollars and he wanted to buy a house for his grandma. Carlene gave him a fresh baked snickerdoodle. Her phone beeped.

Text: Tristan - Rex never came home Tiffy is a jerk bring pizza

Soon Carlene was Gideon’s business manager. With his power of attorney, Carlene controlled all of his expenses. As a second mother, Carlene controlled access to Gideon. Things were good, really good. Gideon was a big kid in a lot of ways. In her way, Carlene was good to Gideon to the very end. She looked out for him and kept him happy. A security guard waved Carlene through the gates of Wyndham Falls.

If only Rex hadn’t gone through her phone, if only Rex hadn’t found the life insurance policies on Gideon, Carlene rubbed her temples as she weaved her truck past the palatial homes. Carlene made sure that everyone around her only knew as much as was willing to tell them. Now Rex knew too much. Suddenly weary, Carlene pulled into Gideon’s garage. Damn nosy Parker. She shut off the truck and closed her eyes. Rex had kept her up half the night insisting on a share of the proceeds from the sale of Gideon’s house. Carlene had been so grateful when she managed to calm him down. Mercifully Rex fell asleep. Her phone beeped.

Text: Tristan - don’t forget takis

Carlene sighed and cracked her neck. She ordered the kids food for delivery and then headed for the dolly. Though her back hurt she was grateful Rex’s backhoe was still in Gideon’s back yard. The concrete for the pool would be poured Monday morning and that was a godsend. If there were two things Carlene knew it was pools sell houses and two graves are as easy to hide as one. Carlene opened her tailgate. Things were good.