Wayward Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page A

reached for the teller call button, then stopped short. “There should be plenty of money in this account. I’m only asking for four hundred dollars, just enough to get through the night.”
    He couldn’t care less whether you get through the night or not…
    â€œI have a right to get through the night.” Bianca sat higher in her seat and pressed the call button.
    â€œGood afternoon. I’m Ms. Blackmon, how may I help you?”
    Clearing her throat, Bianca shook back her hair and leaned close to the window, keeping her voice low. “There seems to be a problem with my account. I can’t seem to use my ATM card and…”
    â€œMs. Coltrane? Is that correct?” The teller’s voice was cool and controlled. “I do see a problem, but I believe that it can be resolved. If you would please come into the office?”
    Now what? The question marking the end of the teller’s invitation immediately troubled Bianca, but she pulled away from the ATM and steered the Jaguar into a parking slot. She pulled her still-damp red boots over the straight legs of her form-fitting jeans and zipped them. I may be down, but I’ll be damned if I’ll look like it.
    She ran quick fingers through her hair and checked her makeup in the rearview mirror. Sliding a finger along the neckline of her blouse, she slipped it lower, finding a more flattering line about her slender shoulders. Satisfied that she at least looked like someone who could afford to have business with the bank, she reached for her purse, slid out of the Jag, and sauntered across the parking lot.
    This is all going to work out.
    But as she passed through the heavy glass doors and into the bank’s lobby, Bianca was unsure as to whether the words were prayer or promise.
    â€œMs. Coltrane.” The tall, curvy woman with the oversized glasses walked closer and extended her hand. “I’m Erica Lane, accounts manager.”
    Something was really wrong, and this authoritative woman knew what it was. “I spoke to Ms. Blackmon.”
    â€œYes, you did, but I’ll be handling this for you. Follow me, please.”
    Lord, what am I walking into? All I wanted was a little money, just enough to last until…
    Bianca followed Ms. Lane’s blue-suited back into a small glass-walled office. When she walked behind the desk, Bianca sat across from her without waiting for an invitation.
    Erica Lane sat and turned a small file face-up on her desk. “Ms. Coltrane, do you mind if we talk, woman to woman?”
    Bianca squirmed, crossing and recrossing her legs, adjusting her jacket, and shifting her purse. “Do I have a choice?”
    â€œThere is always a choice. Do you mind?”
    â€œI guess not, not if it will help with my account and let me use my ATM card.”
    â€œI can tell you now that you won’t be using your ATM card,” Ms. Lane said, folding her hands atop the slender file. “Technically, this is not your account. The ATM card cannot be used without the account owner’s permission. That permission has been withdrawn.”
    â€œWithdrawn? On top of everything else? Why?” Shaking her head, Bianca stumbled to her feet and tried to breathe. Collecting her purse, she realized her hands were shaking. Desperate for exit, her body turned but her feet failed to follow and her ankle twisted slightly on the high heel of her boot nearly sending her to her knees. She grasped the corner of Ms. Lane’s desk, steadying herself.
    â€œLook, calm down and have a seat.” Watching her sit, the account manager poured water from the pitcher on her desk and offered the glass to Bianca. “Ms. Coltrane, do you have an account of your own with our bank?” Bianca shook her head miserably and returned the empty glass to the desktop.
    â€œLet me tell you a little story,” Erica Lane began. “I’ve been where you are, and I can probably tell you exactly how you got