“Why are you here now?” I couldn’t tell if she meant in a Hillsdale law firm or standing there with her. I leaned against her car next to her and chose the easier option.
“My father was a friend of Harry’s from law school and wanted to allow him to be with his wife. I was included in the package. I plan on getting things fixed up and letting another employee take over.”
She tipped her head to the side. “Where were you before that?”
“Fixing my father’s firm.”
She bumped me on the shoulder. “I’m sensing a pattern.”
“I know, I know.” I sighed. “I won’t ever get what I want if I can’t put myself first, but I’m weak when it comes to them.”
“I’m not sure weak is the word I would use.” Marissa tipped her head to the side.
“What would you use? Broke? No backbone? Or a glutton for punishment?” I scoffed as I kicked a straypebble with my shoe.
She tipped her head to my shoulder. “I was thinking more like loving and dependable.”
“You make me sound like a dog.” I rolled my eyes.
She laughed. “That’s not what I meant.” She leaned her head on my shoulder, and I felt the urge to stand a little taller. “Well, I hope you get everything on your vision board,” she paused in thought, “and that it brings you the happiness you think it will.”
What did she mean by that last part? “Thaaannks.” I looked down at her. “Why wouldn’t those things make me happy?”
Marissa shook her head. “What?”
“You made it sound like those things won’t make me happy.” I stepped closer to her, eager for her explanation.
“I think those can lead to happiness.” She looked down at the parking lot. “I guess it might depend on why you want those things. Sometimes, the shiny life just feels empty.”
My entire future was under attack. I counterattacked. “What would you know about the shiny life? You live in a small town, drive a run-down car, and wear a threadbare jacket.”
She bristled. “Wow. Okay.” She turned away from me, opened her car door, and threw in her canvas.
She was leaving.
“Ugh, wait Marissa. That’s not what I meant.” She turned back to me and waited for my explanation. What was my explanation? I rubbed my forehead. “I guess I felt like you thought everything I've been working for and dreaming about for my future was shallow. I often have to defend my choices to my family, and I lashed out. I’m sorry.”
Her eyes searched mine and I think we were both surprised by my honesty. She sighed and her shoulders relaxed. “That isn’t what I meant, and I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
“What did you mean?”
“Before I lived with my grandma, I had nice things. My dad was very successful, and my mom made pretty good money too.” She leaned against the car. “We owned a nice car, went on trips,and I had all the right clothes. I can tell you it’s not the stuff I miss.”
What happened in her past?
She shrugged. “Nice things can be great. Money right now could help me have great vacations, great food . . .”
What had she put on her vision board? “Can I see your poster?”
She looked hesitant, warring within herself.
“You saw mine, and it obviously doesn’t match with yours. Now I’m curious.”
She grimaced. “Oh yeah, trust me, my future is not one you want to shoot for.” She reached into her car and handed me the canvas.
My mind emptied. Where my board was full, bright, and flashy, hers was practically empty. It had one girl standing with her back to me on a path that branched in different directions into a forest of trees. The words penciled above them were hard to make out.
Alone.
