Desperate Measures

Desperate Measures

Carter Saint

Published by Carter Saint at Smashwords

Copyright 2015 Carter Saint

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Pam and her husband Michael sat at their kitchen table, rifling through the pile of mail that had just arrived.

They just keep coming, said Pam in a forlorn tone.

It's ok honey, said her husband reassuringly. We'll figure something out.

But look at these, said Pam, Second notice, third notice, final notice! Mike we need to do something here. They're threatening to shut off the power!

I know, I know, said Michael. Look, I'm going to hit the want ads again tonight to try and find something. And like I told you, Rick said they might hire back some of the guys they laid off at the plant. I was fairly senior up so there's a good chance I might be one of them.

When Michael? asked Pam desperately. You've been saying that since the day you got laid off from the plant and it's been three months now. We can't survive like this. Our family needs money to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads.

Listen, don't worry about it, I'll work something out, said Michael, trying to stay calm. You should get ready to get the kids from the bus stop, they'll be there soon. Let me go through these and I'll pay off the most important ones. The others can wait a bit.

Ok, said Pam uneasily.

Pamela stood up from the kitchen table to head out and get their kids from the bus stop. Michael stood up too and wrapped her up in a big bear hug, lifting her small frame up off the ground.

C'mon, lemme see that beautiful smile, said Mike playfully as he bounced her up in his arms.

Pam didn't feel like smiling just now, but she couldn't resist laughing as her husband playfully lifted her up and nibbled at her neck.

Ok, ok! Stop! Stop! protested Pam playfully.

That's my girl, said Mike as he put her back down. now get going.

Mike released Pam from his grip and gave her a playful smack on the ass as she walked passed him. Pam put on her shoes and looked out the window in the front door. The rain was pouring down heavily outside, so Pam decided to drive around the corner to get her kids from the bus stop. She grabbed her keys and her purse, and ran out to the car as quick as she could. Pam started the car, drove the 2 minute trip around the corner to where the school bus normally drops of her kids, and parked her car.

The rain beat down heavily on the roof and windows of Pam's car as she waited for the school bus to arrive. A few other parents were parked in their cars as they waited, or seeking shelter from the rain under an umbrella or a nearby tree. Normally Pam liked to walk to the bus stop to get her kids, it was close enough to her house and she enjoyed the chance to get out and get some fresh air, and to socialize a bit with the other parents from the neighbourhood as they waited for their kids to arrive. It also allowed her to save on gas money by using her car as little as possible, but she didn't want to be standing outside in this weather.

It had been a hard few months for Pam and Michael. Roughly half of the plant workers had been laid off at the auto parts factory in town, Michael included. Despite the union's protest the company had to do it. Declining profits from a decrease in production, or so they said. Even though the union had been helping out with the laid off workers, getting them some money and trying to find them new placements, things were tight. Michael's salary with the union job was enough for Pam to stay home and raise their two young children, and now that his salary has disappeared they were forced to dive into their savings to make ends meet. Now, three months later, those savings were starting to run very thin.

Pam knew that Michael would find new work eventually, but in the meantime she also knew that their family needed money. She had offered to look for work too but Michael wouldn't hear of it. He was a proud man, his mother was a stay at home mom and he couldn't bear the idea of not being able to support his own family. But Pam knew that things were becoming desperate, and she decided she needed to find some work soon.

The problem was Pam didn't have much education or experience to fall back on. Michael had always been the breadwinner, working through the autoworkers union since he was 18 years old. He worked at the plant part time throughout high school, and then full time as soon as he graduated. It was all he knew how to do. Pam, meanwhile, went on to do one year of psychology at university before dropping out. Pam worked for a while in a few odd jobs, waitress, receptionist, secretary, but she quite her job when she got pregnant with her first child Sam. Pam and Mike had their second child Riley shortly after, and she's been a stay at home mom ever since. But all of that was about to change as Pam decided it was time for her to get back into the work force. Michael's pride be damned.

The big yellow school bus finally lumbered it's way up the street. Pam started her car as her ten year old son Sam and eight year old daughter Riley disembarked from the bus. The two kids scurried to the car through the rain.

Hey guys, said Pam cheerfully. how are you?

Why did you drive to pick us up? asked Sam.

It's pouring rain outside, said Pamela. I didn't want to get soaked while I waited for you.

You don't have to pick us up from the bus stop mom, said Sam defiantly. It's only a short walk around the corner.

I like picking you guys up, said Pam as she pulled away from the curb. So how was school?

Fine, said Sam abruptly.

Uh-huh, and how about you Riley? asked Pam.

It was good, said the little girl. Mrs. Hoover told us our pageant roles today. I'm going to be a sheep!

Oh that's exciting, said Pam as she pulled the car into the driveway.

She says you need to buy me a sheep costume, added Riley.

I see, said Pam hesitantly.

Pam turned off the car and she and the kids ran into the house. Sam and Riley quickly greeted their father and then ran off to play as Pam walked in behind them.

We'll, there's another thing we'll have to squeeze out of the budget, said Pam.

What's that? asked Michael.

Riley needs a sheep costume for the spring pageant, said Pam.

Can't you make one? asked Mike.

I guess I'm going to have to, said Pam exasperatedly. I just feel bad that she's always the one in the cheap home made outfits and hand-me-downs.

It's fine, said Mike dismissively. It builds character and I bet she hardly even notices.

Pam was going to argue the point with her husband and reaffirm the need for her to get a job to help bring in some extra money, but she thought better of it. There would be no point in arguing with him again. Michael was a proud, stubborn man who would never give in. So Pam decided to take matters into her own hands.

"I have to run out for a