By six AM, I’ve given up on sleep entirely.
Gretchen texts at seven.How are you still alive?
I’m pretty sure I’m on the brink of death.
Did you decide?
My eyes immediately find the check on the counter again, and then my reflection in the darkened window.
I’m going to say yes.
Three dots appear, then disappear and appear again.
Are you sure?
No. But I’m doing it anyway.
Call me after. I want all the details.
I shower and dress in navy pants and a cream blouse. The check goes in my purse before I can change my mind. I arrive at the office at eight, exactly one hour before I must. An hour to pace, second-guess, and convince myself this isn’t the worst decision I’ve ever made.
At eight forty-five, I can’t wait anymore, so I take the elevator to the top floor. Daniel’s assistant waves me through without comment. I find him at his desk, laptop open, tie already loosened even though it’s not even nine. He looks up when I enter.
Relief flickers across his face.
“You wanted an answer?” I clear my throat a bit too loudly. “You’ve got it.”
He stands slowly, closing the laptop. “Would you like to sit?”
“I’d rather stand.”
“All right.”
We face each other across his desk. The morning light streaming through those ridiculous windows makes everything too bright.
“I have questions first,” I say.
“Of course.”
“How did you know about the student loans and the animation dreams? I never told you any of that at work.”
He’s quiet momentarily, then says gently: “You told me at the reunion.”
I think back and realize he’s right. I’d actually rambled during the nervous chatter when Daniel and I were left alone for those awful thirty seconds.
“I mentioned it in passing,” I say slowly.
“You said you wanted to be an animator, but the field was too competitive. You settled for graphic design because it paid the bills and you had loans to think about.”
Heat creeps up my neck. “You remember that?”
His gaze drops to my mouth for just a second before meeting my eyes again. “I remember every single word you said.”
My heart races.
“Why?”
“Because I was listening.”
