She stared after him for a moment, her heart full. With a sigh, she headed to her car.
***
“Excuse me. Are you Penny?”
Emily approached the young woman sitting alone in the coffee shop. Pouring over a science textbook, the girl’s brown hair formed a long fringe. When she looked up, she tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled.
“I am. Emily?”
She held out her hand and they shook. “It’s nice to meet you. Michael texted me. He’s just running behind. He said to go ahead and order some drinks.” Emily prayed that was the case. She couldn’t help wondering if he’d gotten cold feet. She wouldn’t fault him for bowing out, but she hoped Michael would tell her the truth if he felt unable to appear.
“Sounds good.” Penny motioned toward her empty latte cup. “I hope you don’t mind, but I started early. Test tomorrow.”
“I hope we’re not taking up too much of your time.”
“No. I’m a good student. I’m ready.”
She grinned at the girl’s candor. “What are you studying?”
“I’m in Life Sciences. I want to be a researcher. I want to find a cure for cancer.”
“Wow. Very impressive. Although, I have to admit, you lost me at ‘science.’”
“It’s not for everyone.”
“I was more a literature and languages girl in school.”
“That’s cool too. Science is demanding. I fully expect to spend the majority of my life cooped up in a lab.” Penny pulled a face. “I was happy to hear from Mr. Zorn. I haven’t spoken with him in a long time but I watch all his shows.”
“I know he’s been wanting to talk to you for some time as well. He really cares about you.”
The girl blushed. “I know. Because of him, I stayed in school.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. When the…thing happened with my mom and dad, I planned to drop out. It was pretty hard to see beyond the next day, never mind the next four years. But when Mr. Zorn opened up that fund, I knew people believed in me and that I had to find a way to continue.”
“How are you doing?”
“Okay. Some days are bad. Others are worse. I’m really just trying to keep up with my studies. I keep very busy in general.”
“Do you see your father at all?”
She hung her head. “No. I can’t. I’m not ready for that. My aunt says I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do.” She perked up. “My aunt’s great. I live with her family now. Thanks to her, I have a roof over my head. And thanks to me, she has free babysitting for her kids.”
Emily smiled. “I’m so glad you have family to help you.”
“Yeah. My friends are supportive too and my teachers have been great.” She sipped the dregs of her latte. “So, you and Mr. Zorn, huh?”
“Yes. Me and Mr. Zorn.”
“He’s hot.”
“Why, yes, he is.”
“You’re a lucky woman. He’s a good guy.”
One who was now running ten minutes late. Emily checked her watch. “I’m sure he’d appreciate you telling him how you feel. He’s been nervous about today. He hasn’t been the same since the shooting. He feels…at fault.”
