Small Change Read Online Free Page A

subject?” he suggested in a pained voice.
    â€œI am sticking to the subject. I can't afford braces. I'm not getting hired back next year.”
    â€œOh. I'm sorry.”
    For a moment he almost had her convinced that he was sorry for her, but then she remembered whom she was dealing with. Aaron was only sorry because he suspected her problems meant he'd be asked to step up to the plate and help more. When it involved parting with large chunks of money for anything that wasn't his idea and that didn't directly benefit Aaron Green, his heart went into lockdown and his wallet slammed shut.
    â€œWe'll work something out,” he assured her. “I'll talk to Rencher about setting up a payment plan.”
    â€œFor who?”
    Now he looked very disappointed in her. “That is unfair. I'm paying my part.”
    â€œThat is debatable.”
    â€œLook, I've got to get back inside. My patient's probably numb by now.”
    â€œYour patient's not the only one,” Rachel said as he started slipping away. She caught him by his sleeve. “One more thing. You saw how upset she is. What about clear braces? Can I at least promise her that?”
    He shook his head sadly. “Don't get her hopes up on that. Those aren't as effective for children.” He gave her arm a pat before disengaging himself. “You'll handle it.”
    Sure. No problem.
    Back in the car, David was bouncing his basketball off the car ceiling and Claire was plugged in to her iPod and glowering. “Did you talk to Daddy?” she asked.
    â€œYes. I'm afraid braces have to happen.”
    â€œIt's not fair,” Claire stormed. Meanwhile, the ball kept hitting the ceiling.
    â€œDavid, if you don't stop immediately I'm going to give that ball to the Goodwill,” Rachel said. It was an empty threat, and they both knew it.
    â€œSorry, Mom,” he said genially. He let the ball fall on the floor, where he began rolling it around with his foot.
    That took care of her son. Her daughter was a bigger challenge. Always.
    Claire had turned her face and was now pretending to stare out the window. A hand crept up to wipe the corner of her eyes with her sweatshirt.
    â€œBraces aren't so bad anymore,” Rachel said gently. “You can get them in all kinds of cool colors.”
    â€œI'll be a freak.” Claire turned a teary glare on Rachel as if it was her mother's fault that she had tooth issues.
    Rachel wanted to say, “You got your messed-up teeth from your messed-up father,” but that would hardly be productive, so instead she said, “Sweetie, practically everybody wears braces.”
    â€œNo, they don't,” Claire growled. “I don't want braces. I'm already ugly.”
    â€œYou are not ugly,” Rachel said firmly.
    â€œAidan thinks you're cute,” David offered.
    Learning she had the admiration of a ten-year-old's best friend in no way consoled Claire. “No one's talking to you,” she snapped.
    David shrugged and fell silent.
    â€œAidan may be the wrong age, but he knows beauty when he sees it,” Rachel said.
    Claire rolled her eyes and turned back to the window.
    Rachel gave up. For the time being, anyway.

    After dinner Rachel dropped David off, not bothering to go to the door, and pretended not to see when Misty waved to her from the doorway. After she returned home she went straight to the bonus room off the kitchen that doubled as her office and gathered the pages she'd printed from the Internet safari she'd taken when the children were doing their homework.
    Claire had disappeared back into her room, so Rachel went upstairs and knocked on the door. No answer. She opened it a crack and peeked in. It already looked like a teenager room, with teen idol posters on pink walls and clothes scattered on the floor. A lamp shaped like a purse sat on Claire's nightstand and her bedspread, a new one Misty had helped her pick out, was a reversible pink with zebra stripes on the