She was paying for fuel, parking, meals away from home, and occasional overnight stays near the hospital.
Some expenses were covered by insurance.
Others were not.
Even ordinary bills became frightening when she couldn't predict how many hours she would be able to work.
The apartment rent was due.
Her car needed new tires.
And her washing machine had broken three days earlier.
She paused.
Then she gave a hollow laugh.
“I've been washing his pajamas in the bathtub.”
I looked at the old washing machine sitting against my garage wall.
I'd repaired it for a neighbor two months earlier, but she'd purchased a new one before I could return it.
It was functioning.
It was clean.
And it was doing nothing except collecting dust.
“Angie?”
“Yes?”
“Would a washing machine help?”
She laughed through tears.
“More than you know.”
I smiled.
“Then I think we've got somewhere to start.”
The next morning, Ron and I loaded the machine into his pickup.
We checked the hoses.
We secured it.
Then we drove to Angie's apartment.
I expected a small place.
I didn't expect what we found.
The apartment complex was on the edge of Tulsa, surrounded by a cracked parking lot and a few struggling trees. The buildings were old but tidy, and the little patch of grass near the entrance had been carefully trimmed.
Angie opened the door wearing the same blue cardigan.
She stared at the washing machine.
“You weren't joking.”
Ron grinned.
“No, ma'am.”
She looked from him to me.
“Does it really work?”
“Tested it yesterday.”
Her eyes filled.
“I don't know what to say.”
I shrugged.
“Say where you want it.”
She laughed.
We carried the machine inside.
A maintenance worker from the apartment complex helped us make sure the connection was appropriate.
Then Ron ran a short test cycle.
The machine hummed.
Water entered.
The drum began turning.
Angie stood in the doorway watching it as though we'd delivered a new car.
Tucker appeared behind her.
He was wearing soft pajamas and carrying a stuffed dinosaur.
His face lit up.
“Bear!”
Before I could answer, he hurried toward me.
Angie gently reminded him to walk because he had been tired all morning.
He slowed.
Then he held up the dinosaur.
“This is Captain Chomp.”
I crouched.
“Looks like a dangerous fellow.”
“He bites bad guys.”
“Good thing I'm a good guy.”
Tucker considered that.
Then he nodded.
“Yeah. You're on my team.”
Ron made a sound behind me.
I glanced over.
He was suddenly very interested in the washing machine.
Tucker looked toward the appliance.