Page 48 of New Girl in the City
“You’re gonna transfer to my department. Finish your internship under me.”
She went still and gave me a wide-eyed look. “What?”
“You won’t have to see him that way,” I told her with an encouraging smile. “You can finish your internship and work on putting this shit behind you.”
“You would do that for me?”
“Why not? I meant what I said. I’ve been where you are. I can help, so I’m going to help you. Do you want to do this?” I asked. I could offer help, but she had to want it.
The answer came immediately. “Yes, oh god, yes. I can’t believe I--” her voice broke off and then she sucked in a deep breath and dabbed at her eyes while speaking, “I can’t believe I was that stupid.”
“You’re young. You’re going to be excited about love. When it appears, or what you think is love appears,” I clarified, drawing a line in the air with my finger, “you’re going to want to chase it. There’s nothing wrong with that. You’ll get smarter, we all do,” I explained.
“I feel so stupid.”
“That’s normal but the only stupid one is him,” I told her. “He’s going to be like this for his entire life, but you won’t be. You’ll grow and learn, and you’ll leave him behind. Eventually you’ll find someone that makes you forget he ever existed.”
Her lips trembled and she huffed out a shaky laugh. “I don’t feel that way right now, but I bet you’re right.”
“I know I’m right, but it’s okay to not feel like it right now.”
“You’re really nice. I didn’t think you’d be this nice,” she whispered, giving me a watery smile. “You seem very focused. I thought you’d be colder.”
I shrugged. “I like to surprise people. Thank you for thinking I’m focused.”
“Any time.” She dabbed at her eyes before looking at me and asking, “You really mean I can do my internship with you?”
“Absolutely. Get in touch with Lydia Soares. She’s my assistant, she’ll get you the paperwork you need so just tell her. Really, you’re doing me a favor. I’m swamped right now and could use an intern with a good head on her shoulders.” It was true. I was glad it was, it felt like helping this girl was healing long buried broken pieces of myself.
I remembered what it had been like in the aftermath of Martin. I had felt fragile, like a hollowed out eggshell. It had seemed like none of my good choices, or hard work before I met the man, counted for anything. I could have used someone pumping me up then, so I worked to do it now for this girl.
“My name's Madison,” she held out her hand to me. “Thank you, so much Miss Pérez.”
“What’s your last name?” I asked, taking her hand and giving it a shake.
“Light.”
“Madison Light.” I nodded at her. “That’s pretty.”
She gave me an embarrassed smile. “Thanks. My parents are hippies. Changed their last names. I’m lucky I didn’t get named Dawn or Moonbeam, but I do like it.”
I laughed at her pained expression. “I’m going to go now, Madison. Make sure you get in touch with Lydia, okay? I’m really happy you’ll be joining our team. Just try and put some distance between you and that asshole.”
“Thank you, Miss Pérez. I’ll try.”
We held each other’s eyes then and I could see it beginning. That little spark of healing was there. It would grow and grow until she felt that she was whole again, but that wouldn’t be for a while. I hoped it wouldn’t take her as long as it had me. That whatever had happened didn’t mark her in the same way. But even if it had and it was with her forever, I was glad to see the small start of a new beginning. I gave her one last smile before I turned and left the women’s room.
