Kessa

“Kessa!”

Why was there never any way to go more than five minutes without Jen yelling her name? Little sisters could be so annoying. Taking a deep breath to keep from snapping back, even though this was the fifth time she had had to stop her homework to go find out what her four year old sister wanted.

“What Jen?”

“Leland is at the door!” Jen’s voice echoed through the house.

I stood to peek out my bedroom window overlooking the driveway. A silvery blue mustang was parked where mom’s van usually was.

“What?”

She slowly started walking down the hall to peer over the railing overlooking the entryway. Kessa could hear her sister’s giggles.

Standing just inside the open door was Leland Brolditern. He wasn’t one of the popular jocks at school but they definitely didn’t have a drop-by-unannounced kind of relationship. In fact, more often than not he seemed surprised they even knew each other.

“Oh, you.”

He looked up and smiled, giving a short wave.

As she descended the stairs she looked around, expecting their dad to be hovering nearby just as he did anytime a boy was at the door. “Where’s Dad?”

Jen looked up at her with wide innocent eyes. “Dunno.”

“So you opened the door without an adult, not knowing who it was?”

Jen shrugged and ran off. Kessa turned to face Leland.

“What brings you by?”

“Tonya.” He looked down the hallway Jen had fled down.

Stifling a groan, Kessa motioned him back toward the living room. Tonya had once been her best friend. They had done everything together. It was almost a year ago that she suddenly stopped. No texts, no phone calls, nothing. She wasn’t dead or anything. Just switched crowds.

Kessa had been left reeling at the sudden change. She had gone from being Tonya’s only and best friend to a stranger. Tonya had somehow managed to jump from one friend to about 50 overnight. That is where Leland came in. He was one of the 50. And since he was apparently observant he knew that I had once been her friend.

Maybe he forgot because he acted like it never happened but about a week after Tonya’s sudden life change he had stopped me in the hallways with concern etched into his eyes. He’d asked if I was ok and commented on how Tonya seemed so different.

He didn’t start hanging out with Kessa all of the sudden or anything. Just every once in a while he would check in on her to make sure she was good. He hadn’t checked in for a while now. Maybe his internal conscience had reminded him to check in on the loser girl who had lost her only friend.

“Why come to me?” She folded her arms. Talking about Tonya was still hard.

“She is acting off. Sometimes she looks around at us as if she thinks someone or something is missing.” He was looking straight at her with an intensity that made her want to squirm.

She waited.

“She saw you during lunch today and looked startled.” He continued, not looking away. “As if she was surprised to see you. It looked like she was ready to bolt over to you. Then she flipped her hair behind her shoulder and continued talking to Lisa.”

Kessa didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t tried talking to Tonya since she had decided to cut ties. When Kessa had gone up to her at school, Tonya acted as if she didn’t even know who she was. It was not a pain she wanted to willingly revisit.

“This isn’t exactly my favorite topic, Leland. Can you get to the point?”

He motioned for her to sit next to him on the couch. She did, reluctantly. “Kessa, I haven’t pushed you into anything during this past year because I care about you. I’d rather not bring up Tonya at all and say that I came over to simply be with you. Yet every time I have tried talking to you, to get to know you, all you hear is Tonya’s name and you shrink away.”

Kessa sat up straighter. “I didn’t mean to make you feel stuck in between us.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.” He ran a hand through his hair. “What I’m trying to say is that last year when Tonya disappeared from your side I really wanted you to know you had a friend in me but I had the misfortune of being from the group she ditched you for so I was always associated with her and the pain she caused.”

Letting the words sink in, Kessa couldn’t tear her eyes from him. “I don’t see you that way.” She faltered. “I mean, seeing you doesn’t remind me of Tonya.”

He shook his head. “You do. It does. And that’s ok. I realized a few days ago that I needed to come out and tell you how I feel. And with what happened to Tonya today at lunch I had a reason to come. Though now that I say it out loud I realize how dumb that sounds. I shouldn’t have waited for a Tonya reason to come see you.”

He didn’t wait for her to respond, reaching out and holding her hands between them.

“I like you, Kessa. You are strong, funny, and amazing. Would you go out with me?”

“I…yes?” Kessa wasn’t sure how Tonya acting strange at lunch translated into him asking her out but when he asked she had the strongest urge to hug him.

“Really?”

She nodded, feeling her smile grow bigger. “Yes.”

His intense gaze dropped down to their hands and he squeezed. “I think Tonya had some sort of head injury and literally forgot who you were.”

“What?”

“She keeps looking confused, complaining her head hurts and only seems to calm down when she sees you. Then she jumps back into the new Tonya from this last year.”

“How long has this been happening?” Kessa felt her hands start to shake.

“A few weeks. It wasn’t until today that I knew for sure that it was you that she was looking for when she’d get confused.”

“I don’t know what to do with that.” Kessa confessed.

“Me neither.” He shrugged, giving her a sheepish smile. “I’m hoping it doesn’t make you change your mind about that date.”

“No.” Kessa let out a breathy laugh. “Not at all.”

Zara

Glancing around the diner, Zara’s headache got worse. Nate wasn’t there. He had promised that he would be there on time this time and he wasn’t.

“One?” A waitress with a cheery grin came up to where she was standing by the door.

“Two.” Zara smiled tiredly.

“Do you want to wait here, at the counter, or at a booth?”

Zara refocused on the woman before her. Her name tag said Maggie. “A booth sounds heavenly. My friend should be arriving any minute. Medium height, shaggy brown curly hair and a devilish smile that he thinks will win him free pie. Could you send him over my way when he gets here?”

“Sure thing. We aren’t too busy so you can pick any booth. Can I get you anything while you wait for your friend?”

Zara glanced around. “Do you have hot chocolate?”

“The best.” Maggie nodded.

“I’ll take one of those.”

Shrugging off her coat and laying it over her purse on the bench, Zara plopped onto the vinyl seat and resisted laying her head on the table. She settled for slouching and leaning her head back against the seat. Her eyes slowly closed.

It was only a few minutes later that she heard the vinyl of the seat across from her moan as someone sat down.

“Finally.” She moaned. “You promised not to be late this time.”

“Please forgive me. I’m usually so punctual.”

Zara’s eyes snapped open at the sound of his voice. “You aren’t Nate.”

“No.” His smile widened. “I must admit I was surprised to be shown to your table. I was hoping that maybe it was just my day. My day could use a little lift. But by the way you are looking at me I can tell I am going to be kicked out.”

“I…no.” Zara shook her head once. “Please don’t get up.”

“Are you not waiting for someone?” His confusion was reflected on his face.

Zara checked her watch. “Yes, I am. And if history is any indication, he isn’t going to show up.”

“I would say that it is most unfortunate for you and for him, but rather fortunate for me. I never would have met you if he had shown up on time.”

“And why do you think meeting me is fortunate? I could be some annoying, clingy woman who won’t take no for an answer.” She smiled, relaxing back into her seat.

He must have taken it as a sign that he too could relax across from her. “I do still have the added bonus that you know nothing about me so you wouldn’t be able to stalk me.”

“That might stunt our conversation a little but I think I can work around it.” Zara paused. “No actually. I take it back. It would be impossible for me to talk about myself and not learn anything about you.”

He chuckled. “I might be persuaded to divulge a thing or two.”

“Like your name?”

He leaned onto the table. “You first.”

Zara laughed. “I’m glad the waitress mistook you for Nate. I’ve had a headache all day and now I don’t.”

“I’ve heard that laughter is a medicine for all sorts of ailments.” He cocked an eye at her and gave an exaggerated wink.

“Not something I’ve ever really had much belief in.” Zara confessed with a shrug.

Maggie popped up just then. “Here’s your hot chocolate. I added a little whipped cream because you seemed to need it.” She looked over at Zara’s new friend. “Could I get you anything? Pie, perhaps?”

“Your pot roast and another hot chocolate, please.” He smiled at Maggie without even looking at the menu.

Zara smiled. “You seem pretty confident about your choice. Have you been here before?”

“No. My father has though. And he goes on constantly about the pot roast. I promised him that I would try it.” He shrugged.

“I’ll have that too then.” Zara nodded.

After Maggie walked away, he smiled.

“Is that what brought you here? The pot roast?”

“Yes.” He glanced around as if suspicious of everyone else in the diner and smiled. “I promise I won’t tell.”

Zara stuck her hand out across the table with a bright grin. “I’m Zara.”

“No last name?”

“Hah.” Zara kept her hand out. “I don’t even know you.”

“Joel.” He took her hand and wiggled it.

They both burst out laughing before Zara covered her mouth to stifle it. Most of the diner was now looking their way “Sorry.” She said between giggles.

“So are we going to avoid talking about each other?”

“We can start with the basics.”

“Like what? What do you do for a living?” He shook his head.

Zara gave a mock glare. “No. We can start with what is your favorite movie? Or your favorite color? Or even what is a favorite childhood vacation of yours?”

“Dunkirk. Green. And hiking to as many waterfalls my parents could find and drive to in one summer. You?”

“You don’t waste much time.” Zara leaned back and sipped her hot chocolate. “I love water falls. Do you remember any of the places you went? How old were you?”

Maggie dropped off Joel’s hot chocolate and was gone again before Joel responded.

“The way I see it, if I can get to know you quickly enough we can move past the I’m-worried-you’re-a-psycho stage and get to the asking-you-out-on-a-date part of the evening.” He paused, eyes furrowed. “You weren’t waiting for your boyfriend or husband were you?” He glanced down at her left hand.

“I am single. Never been married. And I guess we can do our own private version of speed dating while we wait for our food.”

“And Nate won’t be a problem?

She shook her head sharply. “No.”

“Good. Oh and no, I was too young to know where we went. I only remember my feet hurting from all the hikes and still being amazed by how cool the waterfalls were; even after we had gone to so many of them. They were all so different. Now I am an avid secret waterfall chaser. Whenever I travel I hunt down whatever waterfalls are in the area and go hike to them.” He picked up his hot chocolate and motioned toward her with a grin. “Your turn. Movie, color, and vacation. Go.”

Meredith

 “Are they both asleep?” Tucker whispered as Meredith softly closed the door to the girl’s room. She quickly held a finger to her mouth to shush him as she turned back to finish closing the door. Once closed, she nodded with a soft sigh. Tucker leaned against the hallway wall next to her, making sure his groan wouldn’t be heard by the babies.

Meredith chuckled. “You look exhausted, Tuck. Did you have a long day?”

“Just as long as any other.” He flashed her a tired smile as he shrugged. Hand in hand they walked down the short hallway and into the small, slightly cluttered living room.

“Who knew having two kids under three would be so exhausting?” She moaned, dropping onto the couch.

When she looked back at Tucker she discovered that he hadn’t sat down next to her. Instead, he was still standing with his arm stretched out to her.

“A dance, my queen?”

Meredith sighed as she smiled up at him. It took a second to find the willpower to move but she finally convinced herself to reach out her arms and let him pull her up. Holding on to her, he slowly wrapped her into a warm bear hug. As her arms went around his neck, she laid her head on his shoulder and gave another long, weary sigh. He held her close and slowly her breathing calmed to the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear.

Softly melded together, they began to sway from side to side. They rotated around the room, practically floating in each other’s arms, hearing their song shimmer in the air around them. Occasionally they would have to dodge around the toys the girls had left scattered throughout the house but didn’t mind.

“Married 8 years and still you are the best part of my life.” Tucker whispered in her ear.

She stood up on her tiptoes and whispered back with a contented half smile. “And you still step on my toes while making me laugh at the same time.”

“It’s a talent.” She could hear his pleased smirk. “I’m a natural comedic toe destroyer.”

She squeezed him tight and sighed. They continued to move and sway, not needing music or words. 

It was several minutes later that they slowly swayed to a stop and simply stood there holding each other once again. Meredith breathed softly into his shoulder, on the verge of laughing because of how good it felt to breathe while her husband held her.

Eventually she did chuckle into his shoulder as she sighed. “Tucker.”

“Yeah, Mere?”

She pulled back to look up into his face, slipping her hands around his waist and squeezing. “Thank you.”

His head canted to the side as his smile quirked to life. “For what? For dancing with you any chance I can? Or for being so devastatingly handsome?” After a pause, he grinned. “How do you know I’m not just being selfish?”

She shook her head and tugged at his hand. “Selfish or not about the dance, it’s not what I’m saying thank you for. I’ll happily dance with you every chance I get. I am saying thank you for making me feel special, for noticing that I am tired, for not commenting on how much of a mess the house is and for so much more. I could go on. This dance with you is a bonus, a perk.”

Tucker pulled her in for a tight hug. “You are my world, Mere. What kind of a husband and man would I be if I didn’t cherish you and make sure you know how incredible you are to me?” He drew her lips to his for a brief kiss before whispering. “Plus, I’ve heard from a reliable source that two beautiful but hellion angels ran rampant through this house and are responsible for this mess surrounding us, not you.”

With a wink he maneuvered her around so that as he sat down on the couch she ended up snuggled in his lap. Settling in, Meredith glanced around the room. 

“Those two are better mess makers than I ever thought possible. I can’t keep up.”

“I’ll help you clean up.” Tucker gave her a hug and kept his arms around her, not moving to stand.

“Really?” She sounded surprised. “But you are exhausted. I can do it tomorrow.”

He shrugged. “That would leave it all to you while both the girls are awake and making more messes faster than the ones you clean up. So if it makes you feel better, I’ll help on one condition.”

She laughed and leaned her head back against him. “How would having conditional help make me feel any better than unconditional help?”

With a wink he pulled out his hand that was holding her close to him, so that he could point to her nose. “Because you seem to think that this is your mess to clean up alone when those children belong to both of us.”

“And what condition are you proposing?”

“We snuggle first, for at least 15 minutes without even looking around or even thinking about what needs to be sorted and tidied.”

“Is the time negotiable? I know we both need to get to bed. We can’t spend the whole night cleaning.”

He was shaking his head before she even finished getting the question out. His voice deadpanned, though he was still smiling. “No. I don’t negotiate with terrorists.”

Meredith sprung away from him, whether the indignation was fake or real she wasn’t quite sure yet. She kinda softly whacked him on the shoulder. “Now I’m a terrorist?”

“Only if you take the kid’s side. Complete, destructive terrorists.” He laughed. “Aw come on. You have to agree though that they are cute little terrors.”

“I don’t have to agree with anything. You called me a terrorist. And they are adorable. I love them.” She crossed her arms and leaned away but didn’t get up.

He nodded. “I agree. And they are terrors. Just say yes. You know you want the snuggle time.”

“You know me too well.”

He twisted her around until she was facing him once again. “I’ll throw in a foot rub.”

“Oh fine.” She fake groaned. “If you insist. Snuggling and foot rub.”

Hazel

“Not that one.”

Pausing in my perusing, I look at the man who must be the one trying to give his opinion on my shopping choices.

I’ll admit it, he is cute with a smart vibe emanating from his casual attire. He looks very put together in his blue plaid button down and light blue jeans. The green in the plaid draws attention to his equally green eyes, making both pop.

“That shirt you have been holding up for the past minute will look too frumpy on you. I wouldn’t even waste your time.”

I humph. “For one, I try on everything that catches my eye before I determine whether I’d consider buying it. And two, who makes you an expert on how clothes would look on me?”

I watch as his eyes glance quickly down at what I am wearing. Knowing what he saw, I blush. There is a reason I am shopping for clothes.

“Sawyer!” At the sudden noise, the man in front of me stops with a grimace and glances towards the dressing room. “Sawyer!” She yells again.

“Sounds like your girlfriend needs you.” I chuckle.

He rolls his eyes. “My sister can wait two seconds.” Striding over, he stretches out his hand. “I’m Sawyer.”

“You know, I kind of guessed that already.” I cock my head to the side with a smile as I shake his hand.

“And you are…” He prompts.

“Sawyer!” This time a small sprite of a teenager comes storming out of the dressing room, almost running me over.

Hands on her hips she stands between Sawyer and me. “You didn’t answer me.”

“Lilah, I wasn’t going to holler through the store as you were.”

Instantly Lilah spins around to face me. “You can help me!” She squeals, grabbing my hand, hauling me in the direction of the dressing room.

Startled as I am, I allow myself to be steered to the dressing room she had just vacated.

When I look back, Sawyer shoots me a look of apology. When we reach the room I find a variety of dresses hanging all over the walls.

“Help.” Lilah sighs.

Mind whirling, I take in the variety of dresses, from sun dresses to maxi dresses to a few formal dresses. “Ummm.” I glance at Sawyer and he gives me a grin that makes my toes curl and my stomach leap. “I guess my first question would be what are you looking for?”

“A dress.” Lilah’s shoulders slump, as if my question tells her how unhelpful I am going to be.

“Yes, I already gathered that. But what I am asking is what purpose is the dress serving. Are you looking to go to prom?” I point to the formal ones. “Or are you wanting to look cute at a beach party? Or is it an everyday sort of dress that you can wear?”

Instantly Lilah brightens. “School mostly. I am giving a speech on Friday. So I want formal but not too much and cool enough that I don’t look like a deadbeat dud”

“Do you mind if I take a few of these out so we can look at your options?” I gather up all the dresses that wouldn’t work.

Lilah called out so the whole store could hear her again. “I like her Sawyer. Where did you find her?”

Sawyer groans. “Lilah, she isn’t a lost puppy. I didn’t find her and you can’t keep her. She came here to shop for herself, not you.”

I can practically hear her pouting. “Aww come on. The girls you date are never this nice. Why can’t you go out with her?”

“With how nosy and pesky you are being right now, I doubt she’d go on a date with me.”

I ignore them both and finish clearing out almost half the dresses that are cluttering up the space. Then I spread out the rest so they are all hanging up.

“Have you tried all of these on?” I ask her, refusing to look over at Sawyer. I was beginning to wish he would ask me out. 

“Not all of them. I tried the green one but I hadn’t gotten to the others yet.” Lilah smiles weakly, shrugging.

“How about this; you try on each dress and we can talk about what you like and don’t like about each one. It’ll help you narrow it down.” 

With an eager nod Lilah grabs the first dress and closes the door with a grin.

Sawyer flashes me a half grin. “You can escape and continue shopping while she’s distracted. I can help her figure out a dress.”

“Sometimes girls just need another girl to talk to while they are trying things on. And you don’t qualify.” I sit down on one of the chairs set outside the dressing room. Sawyer sits in the one right next to me. “How did you get roped into taking your sister dress shopping?”

“I’m here for the weekend and mom had work. And for some reason Lilah likes dragging me shopping.” He shrugs. “I don’t mind.”

“Here for the weekend? From where?”

“I’m at school a few hours north, studying microbiology. I come home most every weekend if I can manage it.”

Lilah pops out with a pink floral maxi on. “Ta da!” She gives a spin.

“Do you like it?” I ask.

She nods.

“Do you love it?”

Again she nods, still twirling.

“Anything wrong with it?”

Turning this way and that in front of the mirror Lilah looks like she’s thinking hard. “I’m not sure I want a dress that goes all the way to the floor.” She giggles. “But it makes me feel and look so grown up!”

“Ok so keep that one and try on another.” I suggest. 

Lilah grabs a deep purple skater dress and disappears.

Sawyer turns his head to look at me. “You are a marvel.”

“Why? Because I am willing to help your sister?”

“No. Because you are letting her help herself instead of telling her which dress she should get.”

Sawyer leans back in his seat as I shrug. “You found me out.”

Lilah and I go through several more dresses while Sawyer and I chat between dress changes. Surprisingly I learn more about him then I usually do when on an actual date. He also somehow manages to learn that I am going to school online so that I could stay in town to be near my dad who suffers from intense anxiety. 

By the time Lilah picks the one she wants, I am hoping Sawyer would at least ask for my number. I don’t want this to be the last time I talk to him.

“Well, I guess I’ll get back to my shopping.” Giving them some space, I move back to the racks as they move to go pay. I catch a glimpse of Lilah glaring at Sawyer.

Out of the corner of my eye I watch them pay for her dress while I browse through the racks. When I see Lilah prance to the door my shoulders slump a little. However Sawyer makes his way over to me, and my heart begins thudding, thumping, and twisting in my chest all at once.

“I couldn’t leave.” Sawyer blurts when he is close enough. “Could I get your number? And your name?” He smiles. “I’d like to ask you out on a date.”

Tami

Tami sighed.

It had been two years already and she still hadn’t been allowed to leave her penthouse, luxurious as it was. Glancing down at the tablet resting on the table she fought the impulse to smash it. However, it was her only bit of anything to occupy her; other than the piles of books her father was constantly bringing to enrich her education.

“Where are you?” She whispered. Her father always came to resupply the kitchen every Friday morning since he had locked her in here, like clockwork. Yet, he was late. Her only link to the outside world was that tablet and all it showed was the news. At least that was all it was supposed to.

About 5 months into her ‘quarantine’ she had managed to tap into the surveillance cameras of the surrounding 10 blocks. None of this helped now.

“Two days late.” She mumbled. “Two days and I don’t have much to ration. Dad, where are you?”

By Monday, Tami was panicking more.  So many things could be wrong. What if he had been in an accident or hit his head and forgot she existed? Or he could have been kidnapped. The endless list of possible reasons for his absence continued to spin in her thoughts.

With a deep breath she powered on the tablet. Glancing at the time she rolled her shoulders and smiled. It was her favorite time of day. Evan was going to be walking to work.

The first time she had seen him it was his smile as he passed one of the traffic cameras that had caught her attention. He looked so happy at a time when everyone else was scowling because they had to get to work.

Two minutes later he strolled onto the screen. Tami smiled.

“One day.” She laughed. “Someday I will be free of this place and I am going to meet you and learn your real name.”

Wherever he worked was not within her radius but every weekday, without fail he would walk into view for about 5 minutes and then continue on his way.

Over the last year and a half she felt like she had come to know him as she watched him help out fellow pedestrians, wave to storefront owners, smile and laugh on the phone and more. Over time she had given them all names, all of the regulars. But Evan remained her favorite.

Tami once again sighed and glared over at the door. The high point of her day was past. Now she just had to endure the rest of it. Moving into the kitchen she took careful inventory of all she had.

If something had happened to her father, how long would it be before someone came looking in this place? How long could she last?

She didn’t even know if the penthouse was in his name.

Luckily, she had gotten all of her binge eating out of her system when she had first been locked in. She’d figured that if she didn’t have anything to do she might as well eat. That hadn’t lasted long. She’d felt like a nauseous sick blob for days at a time.

So now she had a decent stockpile of food. And as long as the utilities stayed on she should be able to stretch what she had for a month at least. She might not feel stuffed or even full but she would have enough to not die. In the midst of her emergency inventory the thought occurred to her that the utilities might get shut off and she would be without water.

Immediately she set about filling up every spare container she had with water, even the tub. She was not going to die.

As a last ditch wish she moved to the front door and tried the knob. It was as locked as it ever was.

She hadn’t tried to truly get out in a very long time. It was useless. If it came to it she would find a way out. Dying wasn’t an option.

Next, she made her way to the window to gaze down at the rest of the world moving past her below. She was too high up to get down from here, even if she could manage to break the window.

If she wasn’t in a penthouse she could bang on the walls with the hopes that a neighbor would get irritated enough to report her. Then someone would have to take care of it. But no. She had no neighbors. Only windows on all four outside walls. Windows that were thick enough to keep her in. Just like the door.

She paced the living room as she lay out her options, none of them very good. It really came down to hitting something against the floor until whoever lived below her did something about it or if she could somehow manage to get the front door open.

By nightfall her legs were tired and she was stressed.

When the door clicked open she nearly fainted as she ran to find her father taking off his hat and coat.

“Where have you been?” She cried. She wanted to scream but her father wasn’t very tolerant of emotional outbursts.

He ignored her as he carried in bags of groceries and dropped them on the counter. He still hadn’t said a word.

“Dad?” Tami reluctantly followed him into the kitchen. “What’s going on? Where were you?”

“Things have become complicated, Tamara.” He didn’t look at her nor did he pause in his unloading of her food.

Tami folded her arms. “In what way?”

“I no longer have the funds necessary to see you cared for in the way I would like. You will be required to work at my offices to earn your own wages. After this month you will no longer live here and will be required to acquire your own suitable accommodations.”

“I get to leave?” Tami staggered back.

“Yes. And work.” He scowled, not necessarily at her though.

“What’s wrong with working?”

He ran his hand through his hair several times before he answered. “You deserve more than that. You deserve to live a life of luxury where you are not required to do anything.”

“Is that why you have kept me here?” Tami kept her tone even.

“I will be back on Friday as usual.” He glanced around, not commenting on the jars of water and nodded. He didn’t like messes.

She moved in front of him. “When do I start?”

He growled. “We will talk of this later.”

“On Friday?”

He didn’t answer as he opened the front door and walked out onto the elevator.

“When?” She stomped her foot.

The door closed and silence reigned once again. Yet this time she smiled. In less than a month she would not be stuck in her prison. She would have a job and she could have a life and figure out what would make her happy.

And at the first opportunity she was going to meet Evan.