Excerpt: The Family Business

“Well, your kid called in a panic. He didn’t exactly know what to do about you, so he called me. I came out and you were a huge mess. Not the ‘drooling on yourself’ kind of mess, but you were not yourself at all.”
“So where is this place? Who paid for it? I didn’t think that I had any money left on me. You didn’t rob anybody did you baby? Please tell me you didn’t rob somebody.” She said this last bit to Elijah who had emerged from the bathroom, saying “Whew! You don’t wanna go in there anytime soon. And no, Mom. I didn’t steal anything. Mr. Banner paid for the room. I didn’t know what else to do. I needed money for a hotel, plus I was getting worried about you and I thought that he could help.” He answered.