Chapter 92 · Month 42 · Starting a Family

The Long Walk

A 3am night that neither of them handles well

Oldest line first — the newest line is at the bottom.

      
            Penny
            teacher
            08:15
          
Here's the thing I've been sitting on all week: if I'm the one with the steady wage, that's not me deciding your work doesn't count, it's just the maths. But I need to hear you say it back, or I'll spend the next eight months doing the sums alone.

            Algy
            designer
            08:16
          
Fair. Then here's me saying it back without the joke stapled to it: your wage is the steady one, mine's the weather, and I've been showing off about that instead of fixing it.

            Penny
            teacher
            08:18
          
Show me the numbers off the top of your head, not the ones you'd read off a form. What do you actually want the next year to look like — me at work and you at home, or you fighting me for the September?

            Algy
            designer
            08:19
          
Standing here in the dark I want September — not to prove anything, but the rush jobs I keep saying yes to are what's been crushing me, and the day rate's $350 if I chase the right two. Then the deposit goes in Monday at nine with both our names on it, and I hand you the receipt.

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