Page 36 of You and Me, For Real
“What happened?”
“I took your advice and agreed to a session.”
“Good.” She squeezes my knee. “That’s great, honey. I’m proud of you.”
I yank off another bite of caramel into my mouth. “It was good. Until I saw people taking pictures of us. I panicked. Icouldn’t get out of there fast enough. Lynn, what if I can’t do it? Being around him is like reliving my past. I refuse to have that kind of lifestyle again.”
She nods, quietly chewing her candy bar. “Can’t or won’t?”
We both chew in silence as her question marinates.
“Listen, you know I’d never tell you what to do. You know what’s best for you, but—and this is a very big but—only you can make your dream come true. Sometimes the greatest risks give us the greatest rewards. Only you can decide if this particular risk is worth the possibility of catapulting you toward the next step in opening your rescue foundation. You’ve done great applying for grants, but it might be time to do more.”
Given that I’ve had zilch success with grants, I get it.
But, “More?”Really?No part of me wants to do more socializing, more putting myself out there, more rubbing elbows with anyone famous—even if they’re the most kind and handsome man I’ve ever met.
I arch a skeptical eyebrow, gently reminding her that she needs to consider who she’s talking to.
“Yes. You.” She points to me. “You need to put yourself out there and meet people.”
The very things Idon’twant to do.
For some reason, this suggestion makes me think of my sister, whom I still haven’t called. My feelings about her are a jumbled mess. I’m not sure I’m ready to be quite so…vulnerable yet. Then again, Cecily “put herself out there”as Lynn says. Couldn’t I do the same?
“At the very least, you need a handful of people for your board to start your nonprofit. You have me. Always. But you’ll need more support if you ever want to get this rescue off the ground.”
I wad up the candy bar wrapper and toss it in the trash. “I know. But couldn’t I start with someone else? Literally, anyone else?”
She smiles at me. “You could, but you’ve been given such a wonderful opportunity here. Surely you see that? A man with connections and infinite possibilities. With his clout, you could attract all kinds of sponsors, supporters, and attention. Think of all the dogs you could help. Starting with Roxy.”
My mind snags on the wordattention.
“But that’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
“Honey, I love you, but you’ve got to stop living in the dark. If you want to follow your dreams, you’ve got to learn to shine.” She stands and arches her back. “Okay missy, it’s time for me to get home to my new hubby and this tired back on a heating pad. You go home and think it over. Make one of those pros and cons lists you like. Nothing has to be decided today.”
“I practically ran away at the park. He probably thinks I’m a flake, and he can’t take me seriously.”
She slides her purse on her shoulder. “Something tells me he doesn’t think that. Then again, you won’t know unless you give him a chance.”
After I’ve takencare of the dogs and eaten some dinner, I slip out of my apartment and cross the short walkway to check on Judith. I knock and wait. Nothing. I knock again. Nothing.
Rosita, the neighbor above Judith, leans over the upstairs railing. “You looking for Judith?”
I step back to get a better angle. “Yes. Is she home? Her car’s here.”
Rosita shakes her head. “An ambulance came earlier this afternoon and took her.”
My pulse accelerates. “Is she okay?”
She shrugs. “Not sure. They put an oxygen mask on her and loaded her on a gurney. That’s all I know.”
I swallow hard. “Was she…is she…alive?”
“She was when she left.”
“Okay, thank you so much, Rosita. I’ll call her son and see if I can find out anything.”
