The more I thought about it, the more Kayley's words made sense. Mom had been getting more and more tired. It didn't take as long to clean the store as it used to because less people were coming. The inventory was smaller and more selective. 

And it had been months since we'd had any pop tarts. I should have been suspicious as soon as that started. 

I sat cross legged on my bed, a knitting needle in my mouth, looking at my latest creation. It was a small yarn dog, complete with floppy ears and a stubby tail. So far I'd only tried animating loose yarn, and the occasional scarf. Would this really work? In my mind it made sense, but then again, so had trying out for the basketball team. 

I let out a deep breath and tied a piece of yarn around the dog's neck. Holding the end tightly in one hand I focused. 

The stuffed dog twitched. In response to my prompting, the little tail began to wag back and forth. The stubby legs began to shuffle. My heart leaped in excitement as the knitted animal began to scurry across my bed. 

It was far from graceful. It reminded me of my science teacher's 20 year old blind beagle as it lurched around. The legs were short and uneven, and loose threads stuck out here and there as I guided it around. But it worked!

I let go of the guiding yarn and the dog stopped abruptly. Silently, I did a little victory dance in my room. 

"Having fun?"

I jerked around, halfway through a pirouette and crashed backwards into my desk chair. Kayley was sitting perched on my windowsill, her calculating eyes twinkling. I coughed awkwardly, feeling the heat rush to my face as I stood up. 

"Heeey Kayley," I greeted, trying to act as if I was used to pretty girls invade my room. As she slid through the window a thought struck me. 

"Hey, I've been locking that since last time," 

She held up a set of lock picks and jangled them merrily. 

"Yes. I had these from the start, but never needed them before. Still, it's good to know that you learned something from our last meeting." 

Oh no. I think I'm in love, I thought as she tucked them neatly into her belt. Her eyes lingered on the limp dog as I surreptitiously tried to neaten my hair. 

"So," she said, in a business-like way. "I assume you've thought my offer over?"

I shrugged. 

"I assume that's a yes?" she said. 

I shrugged again, a grin spreading over my face. You're acting like an idiot, my brain reminded me. 

"I... I've thought about it." I said slowly. "And I think  you're right. The store's running out of time."

"What will that mean for you and your mother?"

"We'll have to move. She'll have to get a new job. I'll probably have to get a job. New school, new area."

"New opportunity for your dad to stake a claim on you," Kayley reminded me. 

Fingernails dug into my skin as my fists suddenly clenched. 

"I won't. I won't go with him." I growled. Kayley looked taken aback for the first time, which provided me with a sort of angry pleasure. This was none of her business. I scowled and looked away from her. 

"Aaron, what would you do to save your mom's business?" Kayley asked quietly. I was silent for a moment. A faint tinkle from below signaled the arrival of a rare customer. Mom would serve them as best she could, scrape together whatever money we had left, and do everything she could to give me a good future. 

"Anything," I replied, finally looking Kayley in the eyes. 

Above art done by me, emls479 on deviantart