Page 51 of Pour Decisions
“Okay. I can shift him to my care since I just had a client finish early,” she says, jiggling her computer mouse to wake it up. “I’m glad you chose to tell me instead of hiding it. But you’re lucky I have this opening because everyone else is booked up.”
I slump in my seat, relieved. “Thank you.”
“Just try to keep the lines professional from now on,” she says, typing. “I’m going to note it in your record, but it won’t go to HR, okay? But if anything else happens, we’ll have to escalate it.”
“I’ll take that.” I laugh despite myself. It’s a lot better than the alternative. “It won’t happen again.”
“I know. You’re a great physical therapist, Kat, and I’d love to have you around a long time.” Her gentle smile returns.
“Thank you.”
I excuse myself and get ready for my first few clients. The morning goes by quickly now that this weight is off my shoulders. Plus, I have coffee with my mom to look forward to. We were going to do lunch, but I ate what JD packed for me.
At lunch, I hop into my car and pray the AC works. I sucked it up with my windows down for a while, but one day a week or so ago, I turned on the car and it just…worked. It’s worked ever since.
I text JD while my car cools down.
Me: You got moved to my boss’s care for your last sessions! She noted our relationship on my record but it’s not an official strike or anything. So we’re set! And thank you for the sandwich, it was perfect.
JD: That’s great news. And you’re welcome.
Me: Also, my car’s AC randomly works now?
JD: I had it fixed.
I stare at my phone for a few seconds.
Me: How? When?
JD: Mobile mechanic owed me a favor. He was going to just take a look at it in the driveway but he could fix it right there since it was an easy job. I’m surprised it took you this long to notice.
Me: Oh my god
I laugh. Of course JD did something like that for me. My car didn’t magically fix itself by me smacking buttons and hoping for the best.
Me: Thank you <3
JD: Anytime, kitten.
The warm fuzzies dance all across my chest as I drive into town to meet Mom for coffee at a coffee shop near her office. It’s cute, with a big glass case filled with pastries. Mom isn’t here yet, so I take my time looking through all the options. The sandwich JD made was filling, but these pastries look too good to pass up.
“Having a good day?” Mom asks, coming up alongside me.
“Hm? Yes, why?” I ask.
“You’re grinning at those danishes. They look good, but that’s not a smile you give a danish.” She pulls me in for a hug.
“Yeah, my day is going well.” I squeeze her back.
We each order a pastry and some coffee, then find an open table. Mom cuts each of the pastries in half so we can each try both of them. The cheese danish is fire, but the blueberry scone doesn’t taste as good as it looks.
“So what’s been going on?” Mom asks, cleaning crumbs off her fingers.
“Work has been going well,” I say. “And I’m seeing JD again. Officially.”
“The guy from when you were in college?” she asks. Her frown surprises me. I didn’t expect her to be overwhelmingly positive since JD and I have baggage, but I didn’t expect her to seem so horrified.
“Yes? He only dumped me because of the incident with Raymond. His dad pressured him into it,” I say.
