He stared at his phone.He’d done it.He’d really done it.
“You look a little green,” Rowan said as he walked in, carrying a bunch of things he threw in the closest trash can.He turned to Thomas, frowning, and Thomas knew he had to say something before Rowan got too worried.
“I signed up for my GED.”
Rowan’s frown instantly turned into a wide smile.“That’s great.When is it?”
“Too soon.”Thomas shook his head.“This is going to be a disaster.I can tell.”
Rowan stepped closer to Thomas to squeeze his shoulder.“It’s not.You’re catastrophizing, and while I understand why you’re doing it, you need to stop.You’ve studied.You know what you’re doing, and it’s not like you have to get a perfect score to pass.You’re ready, Thomas.No matter how many times you tell yourself that you’re not, that’s a lie.You know what you’re doing, and you’re going to pass.”
Thomas knew that Rowan was right.He’d been studying his ass off, and he’d been getting better, even at math.Rowan had made sure to quiz him often, so Thomas was pretty sure he could do it.
It was still terrifying.
“I’m proud of you,” Rowan added.“You’re doing something that a lot of people don’t do.You’re doing it even though you’re scared.You’re going to be fantastic.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I don’t think that anything I can say will help you feel less nervous, but tell me what will happen if you don’t pass.”
Thomas didn’t want to think about that possibility, but maybe he should.“I’ll have to try again.”
“That’s it?Nothing else?The pack isn’t going to kick you out, and you’re not going to lose your job?”
“You’re not funny, but no.None of that’s going to happen if I fail.”
“So everything will be all right even if you fail.”
“That’s what I just said.”
“Then maybe you should focus on that.Sure, passing your GED is important, but what’s more important is that you have a family who loves you, a job you enjoy, and a home.You’re not going to lose any of that even if you fail.It’s not going anywhere, no matter what happens.”
Thomas knew all of that, but hearing it coming from Rowan helped.Still, he had to consciously relax his body because he was so tense.He had a few weeks before he had to take the exam, and he’d continue studying as much as he could, but it didn’t feel like enough.Thomas suspected that even having another few months wouldn’t.
“Hello?”someone called out.
Thomas thought he recognized the voice.He frowned, telling himself that surely it couldn’t be Jimmy, but it sure sounded like it was.“That’s the weird pigeon guy,” he told Rowan as he got to his feet.
Rowan’s smile disappeared.“Do you want me to go out there and talk to him?You don’t have to if you don’t feel comfortable.”
“I’ll be fine.I’m just curious because I have no idea why he’s here again.”
“Probably to check in on the pigeon.”
“I’m sure that’s what he’s going to say, but doesn’t that strike you as odd?I mean, I love animals, and if I was in the guy’s place, I’d want to know what happened to the pigeon, too, but he doesn’t need to come over every time to ask.He could call.”
“It sounds like maybe there’s something here he wants.”
“Stay here.I’ll go see what it is.”
Thomas wasn’t surprised when Rowan came with him instead of staying in the break room, but thankfully, he stopped just outside the front room.He didn’t follow Thomas in, but he was close enough that if Thomas needed him, he’d be able to intervene quickly.
Thomas plastered a smile on his face as he welcomed Jimmy.“I’m surprised to see you back so soon,” he said.
Jimmy leaned over the counter.“Yeah, well, I was worried about my little friend, the pigeon.How’s he doing?”
“Perfectly fine.His wing is almost fully healed, so it won’t be long before he’s back out there flying.”
