“An experience,” I answer.
She shakes her head in disbelief. “I mean, if you think this is what you need in order to bring joy to your life, then to each their own.”
I can sense the judgment in her tone, but I’m not going to let it bother me, because yeah, maybe this is what I need to bring me some joy. To get me out of this rut I’m living in. To live the life I know my dad would have wanted me to live.
“So then it’s a deal?”
She shrugs. “I guess so.”
“Great. Then I guess I’ll see you Monday…Pips.”
She rolls her eyes, grabs her purse, and scoots out of the bench. “See you Monday,” she mutters and then heads out of the juice bar and down the street.
Well, this was productive. Now to do some research on this camp. I need to know what to expect.
Chapter Six
SCOTTIE
Scottie: What the actual fuck, Mika? Ooo, take my brother, he can do it, he can be your knight in shining armor. Uh, here’s a not-so-low-key update, he just made this situation a whole lot more complicated.
“Knock, knock,” I hear Ellison say as she walks into my office, looking extremely giddy, like she has a secret she wants to divulge. I quickly stash my phone to the side and smile back at her.
“Hey, Ellison.”
“Now, I don’t want to pry, because it’s none of my business, but…how did it go?”
None of her business, but then she goes and asks how it went. Make that make sense.
“It was great,” I say, plastering on a happy smile. “Sanders was just what we needed.”
Ellison fist-pumps the air. “I knew he would be. I’m telling you, he’s amazing. Not what you’re expecting when it comes to amarriage counselor, but I think that’s what makes his approach so unique.”
You can say that again. Talking to him felt like I was signing up for a team sport at the local YMCA. Makes me highly question the validity of his degree.
“Yes, very unique,” I say. “But it worked. Actually, I need to talk to you about something. Sanders was saying there’s a marriage summer camp?—”
“Did you sign up for it?” She’s practically bouncing.
“Uh, yeah, we did. I hope that’s okay.”
Ellison claps her hands. “Oh, that’s wonderful.”
“Yeah, but, uh, Sanders says you don’t use vacation time for it. Is that true?”
She nods. “As you must know, we truly value the relationships our employees have, so we allow any time off to build and mend those relationships. So yes, you can have the time off.”
“Wow, okay. That’s very generous of you. Is it okay that I didn’t give much notice?”
“Yes, most of the guys in the office will be going as well, so there won’t be much going on here.”
Uh…what?
“The, uh, the office is going?” I ask, tugging on the end of my hair.
“Yup, they do every year, and it’s tradition at this point. Great time for rejuvenation. I’ll be there as well. We caravan up to the Catskills, if that’s something you’re interested in, but I’m not going to pressure you, given how sensitive your relationship is at the moment.”
Is that the nice way of putting it? Sensitive?
