Chapter 1

I knew we'd have to go through the entire ritual again. It always had to be a long and involved process with her. For some reason, one that I'll never understand, Kaitlyn needed to put us both through all the failed deceptions.

"Jimmy, Danny's on the road, and I need to borrow some money from you. For food."

Danny was my older brother, and Kaitlyn was his wife. They had three young kids, two boys and a girl, aged three, five and seven.

I knew that Danny was on the road, since he worked for me, and I was the one who had sent him over to Arizona to pick up some furniture I'd purchased over the internet. That's what I did, bought and sold stuff. Whatever I could find to sell for a profit. I'd been at it for six years, ever since I finished high school. I was good at it too, and always made a comfortable living for myself.

Danny had once worked in a box factory, but the company went under and Danny hadn't been able to find anything else on his own. I started letting him do things for me, trying to help him out until he found some steady work on his own. That had been three years before, and I still don't understand why he hasn't tried harder to find himself a better job.

I knew Kaitlyn was lying about needing the money for food. I'd taken Danny over to the Ralph's and watched as he'd purchased $200.00 worth of groceries with the money I'd advanced him right before he left for Arizona. I knew there was plenty of food in the refrigerator and in the cupboards back at their rented house trailer.

I didn't doubt that Kaitlyn needed some money, but I knew it certainly wasn't to buy any food.

"I gave Danny money for food right before he headed off to pick some things up for me in Tucson, Kaitlyn. You couldn't be out of groceries already."

"I didn't want to say what is was really for, Jimmy. Danny's been gambling again. He owes money out at the reservation. I've been getting some threatening phone calls about that." Kaitlyn was a terrible liar. I really never understood why she bothered trying it with me. Her lies never worked with me.

"Rueben promised me he wouldn't ever let Danny back in the casino, Kaitlyn. You want me to give him a phone call and see if your story checks out or not?" Rueben Garcia was head of security out at the Indian Casino. He was a pal of mine, and he'd had my brother's name put on a list of problem gamblers that had voluntarily banned themselves from doing any further gambling at the casino.

Danny and Kaitlyn both had serious problems with their addiction to gambling. Danny mistakenly believed he could play poker, and Kaitlyn was addicted to the slot machines.

"I didn't say he gambled out at the reservation, Jimmy, just that he owes people money out there. He lost a lot in some home games. He told me he was going to get the money from you to pay those people off."

I knew Danny hadn't been gambling. I knew all the same people he did, and I'd already warned all of them to not let Danny play cards in any of their games. They knew I wouldn't make good for any of his losses, and they also knew I'd be pissed off if any of them took advantage of his weakness.

"Kaitlyn, I know Danny hasn't been playing. What do you really need the money for?"

I stared right into her eyes, waiting for her to face up to the fact that I wasn't buying any of her bullshit. If she wanted me to help her, she was going to have to tell me the real reason.

"I'm pregnant, Jimmy." The words slipped out of her mouth so softly that I almost couldn't understand what she'd just said.

"Pregnant? How could you be pregnant, Kaitlyn? Danny got himself fixed after you guys had Angela three years ago. You telling me that his vasectomy didn't work?"

"I'm not sure how it happened, Jimmy. I just know that they said I was pregnant last week when I had my appointment over at the clinic. They did some tests, so they're sure I am."

"Okay, you're pregnant. I guess I have to believe you if you've had those tests and all. I'm thinking Danny is probably going to kill you when he finds out you've been fucking other guys. When are you planning to tell him?"