Gratitude rose in her chest. “That’s righteous, Tom.”
“I’m sure it costs a lot to send volunteer doctors. And all the medicine and machines.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. The financial aspect. But I am learning to think more like that every day, thanks to you and Marion. And Dad. I’ll donate, too.” Then a thought struck her, and she paused. “Actually, I have an idea.”
“What?”
She faced her desk, seeing nothing but the ideas her mind was suddenly bringing to light.
“Sassy? What’s the idea?”
She smiled vaguely at him. “I’ll let you know when I figure out the details.”
The idea stayed with her all day, feeling more promising by the hour. As soon as she was done at work, she got on the bus and went straight to Chez Monique to see Davey. If anyone could do what she was thinking, it would be him.
Thinking about Davey led to more thoughts of Tom. What was she going to do about Tom? She was way over her head with that guy, she’d realized. Normally, she wouldn’t have hesitated to approach an attractive manwith questionable suggestions about what they could do together, but not this time. There was something different about Tom. His regard for her meant so much. He respected her. Through Tom, she had begun to see a different, more mature image of herself. And that had helped her understand how important it was to offer respect in return.
Then again, if he wanted more from her, all he had to do was ask.
The coffeehouse was filling up when she arrived. She asked for Davey, and he came out with a big grin, wiping his hands on a tomato-stained apron.
“Sass! God, it’s groovy to see you, man!” He wrapped her in a bear hug. “Out of sight!”
“Can we sit for a sec?”
He asked one of the servers to bring over some coffee, and she heard him quietly promise that he was taking only a short break with an old friend. Then he led Sassy to an empty table and leaned on his elbows, giving her that undivided attention she remembered so fondly.
“You first,” she said, pretty sure her news would take longer than whatever he had to say. “What’s going on with you? How’s TADP?”
“Busy, man. So good.”
“How’s Christine?”
His mouth twisted to the side. “She flaked off, man. Yeah. She was, like, totally into Ned. Remember him? Guy looks like a beaver, man.”
Her heart squeezed with sympathy. “She never deserved you, Davey.”
“I should’ve stayed with you. I was always happy when I was with you.” His brow lifted. “Speaking of which…”
“That train has left the station, bud.”
He slumped a little. “My fault. Huge mistake.”
“It’s okay,” she assured him. “You’re gonna find a little fox soon. I know it.”
“Enough about me. Sock it to me, Sass. What’s up?”
She took in a deep breath, and it shuddered. “There’s a lot, honestly.”
Concern flooded his eyes. “I’m here for you, man.”
She thought she had herself under control. She didn’t. Her throat closed up like a necktie that kept tightening. In a heartbeat, Davey was around the table and crouched beside her, and she clung to his hug, crying like a baby.
“I got you, babe,” he said. “I’m here. What happened?”
“So much,” she said, sitting up and swiping tears off her face. “I have to thank you, Davey. I didn’t get a chance before. Thanks for coming to my dad’s funeral. It meant a lot to me, seeing you there.”
“Of course I was gonna be there.”
