Chapter 235: Good Luck, Josie

He dusts his hands off on the top of his pants and turns the oven burner to low. "Give the sauce another five minutes, top off the noodles, and stick it in the oven for twenty-five. I like to top it with cheese."

"Where are you going?" I ask as he stomps past the kitchen table.

"I'm letting you take care of yourself. Good luck, Josie," he says, looking back once before opening the apartment door and walking out.

The door bangs hard against the frame and Emma cries out in shock. I turn to where she sits in the living room, watching the whole scene as tears form in her eyes.

Great. I'm off to a wonderful start being my own woman.

...

"Give me just a minute, Emma." Not listening, she continues yelling in the middle of the room because the television show I turned on to entertain her switched to something new. I don't know what that child has against Pirates, but she does not like them.

The toaster pops and I reach behind me to grab two slices. They're hot and burn the tips o