“Apparently, the offer the board received was too good to turn down. The money from the sale will go toward running all of their programs. They can even afford to start the ones that had been dropped off their priority list.”
“What about the youth center? Will they have to move? Just don’t tell me they’re closing.”
“That’s the best part. The Reaching High Foundation has been given a three-year lease. The new owners are sponsoring the literacy program, too.”
Ashley couldn’t believe so much had happened over the last few days. “Who bought the building?”
“That’s what Harry and I have been trying to find out. No one’s saying very much, especially the staff at head office. We have some leads to follow on Monday.”
“I don’t suppose it matters.”
“Outside of the local community, not many people knew about the center. The new owners must have read your story and decided to buy the building.”
After living in New York City for three years, nothing should have surprised Ashley. But the warehouse and vacant lot were huge and that meant the property would have been expensive. “What have you and Harry been doing?”
“We went to a science fiction convention yesterday. Harry was in his element. Some of the stars fromThe Twilight Zonewere there.”
“I’m surprised you were able to drag him away.”
“It nearly didn’t happen—especially when he saw Morgan Brittany. We stood in line for an hour to get her autograph.”
“Who is Morgan Brittany?”
“She was in three episodes ofThe Twilight Zonewhen she was little. Harry didn’t stop talking about her all day.”
Ashley smiled. She knew how obsessed Harry was about his favorite TV show. “That must have been fun.”
“If I can survive thirteen hours at a science fiction convention, I can survive anything. How’s Bozeman?”
“Better than I thought. Dad arrived early so that we could spend more time together. He’s different to what he was like when he got married.”
“Different good or different bad?”
“In a good way. He’s more outgoing and listens to what I say.”
“Maybe that’s because you’ve both changed.”
Ashley sighed. “You’re probably right. We talked about seeing more of each other. He’s invited me to San Francisco for a vacation.”
“Will you go?”
“If I can get time off work I will. I still don’t know which job I’ll accept.”
“I can’t help with that decision, but I will let you know if we hear anything about the youth center.”
“Thanks. Are you and Harry still able to pick me up from the airport?”
“Of course we are. You won’t miss us—Harry will be wearing a bright yellowTwilight ZoneT-shirt.”
Ashley laughed. “He really went crazy at the conference. It’s just as well he already has everyTwilight Zoneseries on DVD.”
“Not the re-digitized ones. He came home with those, too. I’ll see you tonight.”
Ashley ended the call and looked through the hotel window. So much had changed since her first story about the Foundation had been published. At least the short-term future of the youth center was secure. All she had to do was decide where she wanted to work and her future would be more secure, too.
***
That afternoon, Matthew drove into town faster than he should have. He’d spent most of Sunday calling himself every fool under the sun. Letting Ashley leave Bozeman without telling her how he felt was the biggest mistake he’d ever made.
