“Aw, she’s sad,” Phoebe said, pressing a hand over her heart.
“Let’s take her for a walk,” I suggested. “She’ll be a little sad this evening, but she’ll be just fine. In fact, her personality may start to really blossom now that she’s on the receiving end of all the attention instead of having to share us with her puppies.”
“I hope so.” Phoebe ducked inside for Violet’s leash, and we led her over the stream and onto the path. Violet sniffed as she walked, not looking particularly upset to be without her puppies. “When will we try to bring Minnie over?”
“Let’s give Violet a day or two to adjust to life without her babies first.”
“Sounds like a good idea.” Phoebe looked at the dog and then at me. “And then, don’t forget I have an interview in Boston on Wednesday.”
“Right.” I hadn’t forgotten. On the contrary, I was terrified she’d drive to Boston and decide she didn’t want to come back. And what if she got the job? Then she’d have to stay.
“Even if I get the job, it doesn’t mean I’m leaving Vermont permanently,” she said, obviously having read the direction my thoughts had taken.
“Doesn’t it?” I countered. It was only a three-hour drive between here and Boston, but combined with our work schedules and my dogs, we’d be lucky to see each other every weekend. Probably, we’d only see each other a few times a month, and would that be enough?
“If things between us keep going the way they’re going, I’ll keep interviewing here in Burlington, even if I get the job in Boston, okay?” She took my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I just need to feel out my options.”
“Right,” I said, but I wasn’t sure I believed it. Now that the puppies were gone and I’d bought the cabin, there was nothing keeping Phoebe in Vermont, and I was terrified that she’d realize it. “Well, I’ll try to get Minnie and Violet acclimated to each other before you leave, and then I’ll stay here with them while you’re gone.”
She nodded. “It’s only for one night, Taylor. I’m coming back.”
31
Phoebe
I strode down Boylston Street on Wednesday afternoon, cell phone in hand, as the wind tossed my hair in my face and my heels thumped against the concrete. I’d just come from my interview with Bellair Innovations, and I was cautiously optimistic that it had gone well, although it was hard to know for sure. After more than two months away from Boston and the corporate world, it all felt a bit like culture shock now.
Consequently, I felt vaguely out of sorts as I walked toward the nearest T station to catch the subway back to my condo. I missed Violet, who wasn’t even my dog. I missed the cabin that wasn’t my house. And I missed Taylor…who maybe could be mine, if I found a way to give up my life here and move to Vermont permanently.
The meme that had driven me out of the city felt like a distant memory now. I’d only been back for a few hours, but no one had given me a second glance, and when I’d dared to reinstall Twitter on my phone, my notifications had gone silent weeks ago. No one was talking about “girl against the patriarchy” anymore. If I wanted my old life back, it was mine for the taking, especially if I got this job. ButdidI want it back?
I boarded the subway and slumped into an available seat, closing my eyes as the train began to move. Wheels screeched against the rails, and the seat rattled beneath me, submersing me in the familiar sounds and sensations of Boston. I’d missed this. As much as I missed the things I’d left behind in Vermont, I loved it here. I loved the convenience of the subway and my favorite restaurants and going out with my friends whenever I wanted.
When I walked into my condo thirty minutes later, it felt an awful lot like coming home. How would I reconcile my life here with my life there? Could Vermont be enough for me? I went into my bedroom to ransack my closet for something fun to wear tonight. I was having drinks with my two best friends, Courtney and Emily, and I could hardly wait to see them.
After wearing the same suitcase worth of clothes for over two months in Vermont, the freedom to pick something different today was thrilling. I put on dressy jeans and a sleek red blouse that had always been one of my favorites. Then I touched up my makeup, going extra smokey on the eye shadow and heavy on the eyeliner. I was overdue for a night out with my friends, dammit.
Before I headed out, I took a selfie in front of the window in my living room with the Boston skyline visible behind me and texted it to Taylor with a bunch of x’s and o’s. I wished she could be here with me tonight. She said she hated the city, but I couldn’t imagine anyone truly hating an occasional night here.
Fancy drinks, lots of laughter, and maybe a stroll through some of my favorite spots in the city before I headed back to my condo tonight? It felt pretty perfect to me. As I picked up my purse and headed for the door, Taylor replied with a selfie of herself sitting on the couch in my grandmother’s cabin—Taylor’s cabin now—with Minnie on one side of her and Violet on the other.
My heart ached at the sight.Can’t wait to see all 3 of you tomorrow, I texted back.
Before I made it out the door, my phone started to ring with an unknown Boston number, and my pulse kicked into overdrive. It was probably too soon to hear back about the job, but… “Hello?”
“Is this Phoebe Shaw?” a woman’s voice asked.
“Yes, it is.” I pressed a hand against the kitchen counter, bracing myself.
“Hi, Phoebe, it’s Allison Renwald from Bellair Innovations.”
Butterflies flapped in my stomach. I’d just interviewed with Allison an hour ago, and she’d told me they were looking to move quickly on this position, but even so, I hadn’t expected to hearthisquickly, and now my knees were shaking. “Hi, Allison,” I managed, sounding breathless.
“I have some good news for you,” she told me. “We were very impressed with your prior experience in the financial sector, and everyone on the team enjoyed meeting with you today. I confess I rushed things through since I know you’re headed to Vermont tomorrow, and I wanted to have you come back in before you leave to go over salary and details if you’re interested, because you’ve got the job.”
“Oh,” I said, staring out my window at the Boston skyline, so different from the thick trees and rolling hills I’d gotten used to. “Wow, Allison. I don’t know what to say. I’m floored. Thank you so much.”
“I know you’ll want to take some time to think it over,” she said. “I’ll email you with the full details of our offer, including the benefits package. And if you’re ready to accept tomorrow morning, please come in before you drive back to Vermont. If not, we’ll handle it later virtually.”
