Page 13 of Lessons in Forgiving
Eddie nodded toward the other end of the park bench he’d sat on, not looking at me. I obliged his request to sit with a racing pulse.
“I’m wondering, Paula.” He began. I think I winced even before he said the next words. “You into sports?”
Huh?
My head shot in his direction, taut expression replaced entirely with confusion.
Was this really the best time to discuss favorite sport teams?
But I decided to go with it for the sake of my maybe-future, regardless. So far, he hadn’t said the words yet.
“Watching? Sure,” I said carefully. “I’m not really the exercising type, though.” Which was when it dawned on me, and oh my God—“Please don’t suggest I join some sports club instead of thePost.”
Apparently, this was where the pleading began. Where else could this conversation be going, if not—
“What?”
Or maybe… not?
“I’m not—Why would you—? What?” Eddie asked again, seemingly more confused than I was. “What do you think this is? If I wanted to kick you out, I would’ve done it when you messed up!”
His head shook, like he couldn’t believe the thought would even cross mine. “Your degree is tied to thePostnow, Paula. Even if I wanted to,which I don’t,I couldn’t get rid of you for something that happened last year.” His eyes narrowed, like he’d thought that was obvious, too. “Jesus, is this what you’ve been so worried about?”
The feeling of something untangling at the words—dread falling off my shoulders, relief spreading into every part of me—was so all-consuming, I could only nod.
“Jesus.” Eddie repeated his curse. “No intention of letting you go,” he clarified. “I just… have a project for you.”
Slumping over at the confirmation, I buried my face in my hands. “Fuck!” I groaned, and I did not care that I’d just cursed in front of my superior. “I think I almost had a heart attack, Ed. Don’t ever do that to me again.”
“Dowhat, exactly?”
I could feel my pulse slow as it returned to its natural rhythm, the cloud of anxiety in my head clearing as I processed his words. “Ominously taking me away from the group. Not telling me where we’re going or what we’re doing. Walking me out of the building. Only—” I interrupted myself with a pained laugh. “Only for you to say—”
No intention of letting you go. I just… have a project for you.
It clicked, then. And I straightened so fast, I think I pulled a muscle on my way up.
“A project?” I knew I wasn’t playing this one cool. I did not even attempt it. “Theproject?”
One I could hand in for that extra-curricular grade? The only thing missing for my degree to be safe?
“Yes,” he said.
“The kind that needs research and writing and gets printed eventually?”
Eddie huffed, nodding solemnly. Clearly, he was not excited about the prospect.
Me, on the other hand? I was through the roof without even knowing what he was putting me on.Progress.That was all that mattered.
“Yes,” Eddie repeated. Sighed again. “But I don’t know how much you’ll like it once I tell you—”
“Nonsense!” There was literally nothing in the world I wouldn’t write.
If he wanted me to, I’d write a killer article about this year’s grass growth on campus. And I’d make it interesting. Front-page worthy. I’d talk to landscapers, and the gardening team. Make sure to get accurate quotes. “Of course I’ll be careful with sources. I’ll double check—triple check! The whole shebang. I’ve got it covered.”
“Yeah…” He trailed off. “Listen, Paula. That’s not what I’m concerned about. Sources won’t be a problem with this one. If you think about it, there’ll only be one, really.”
The smile on my face dimmed. Slightly.
