Lynda smiled.
Dawn shook her head. “What’s the use of having good karma if so much is out of your control?”
“You can’t control the world. You can only control your own actions.”
“It sounds so easy, but it’s harder than I thought it would be.” Dawn blew out a breath.
“What is this really about?” Lynda asked her, reaching into her purse and handing Dawn a Hershey’s Kiss.
Dawn popped the chocolate in her mouth and welcomed its soothing, chocolatey sweetness. “What if I don’t deserve any of this?”
“Of course you do. You worked very hard to get where you are. You’re amazing. Do you know that? You inspire everyone around you, even people you don’t know. You may get a ‘thank you’ at your job when you help someone wrangle their software program—or not. That doesn’t mean you’re not doing your job. Right?”
Dawn snorted. “That’s just computer stuff.”
“Really? Just computer stuff? Most of those students who call you are desperate for help, with a lot riding on that assignment or term paper. Many are adult learners who didn’t grow up with computers and haven’t the faintest idea what to do when there’s a glitch. You help them get through it.
“Not to mention the loving care you show Annette, the kids you help at the Youth Community Center, and,” she said softly, “the love you feel for Luca. He’s a gem, but you make him even better. He does the same for you.
“And look at your determination to rescue Mandy! Even though cops have to face things like that every day, do you think they could have solved that crime as quickly? Especially with someone on the inside making sure they didn’t? No, it might have lasted months or years, eventually becoming a cold case.”
“Saving someone’s life is awesome, but failing to must be hell.”
“Welcome to life. Nobody bats one thousand. Not cops, not doctors, not social workers. Neither can we.”
Dawn stared at Lynda, and now it was she who gazed at the fountain. “Remember when I told you that not everyone can make that change?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Carla was one of my people.”
“What?”
“Years ago, I found her. A few weeks after Annette saved her from that asshole husband. I approached her and tried to bring her into the organization. She tried at first. But after a month, she stopped coming in for her weekly meetings. I reached out to her many times, and she just blew me off. She said she liked her life the way it was. She didn’t want to complicate things. I told her she had an opportunity to help all those runaways and street kids who ended up in her store. She refused to listen. So after a while, I just had to wipe her memory of Karma Cleaners and let it go.”
“I—I’m sorry.”
“So you see, all we can do is try. And if we fail, we move on to the next person and try again.”
“I think I understand.” Dawn wrapped her arm around Lynda’s shoulders. “You know what, LC?”
“What?”
“You’re pretty amazing yourself.”
“Thanks, kiddo. Now, how about we do a little retail therapy? My treat. Goddess Fashions is having a flash sale today.” She glanced at her watch. “It’ll be starting in about fifteen minutes.”
“I love that store! I might actually do all my shopping there in the future.”
“You won’t, but I can’t tell you why not. Just know the sacrifice will be for the greater good.”
* * *
“Sweetie, it’s time for me to go home.”
“Gran, you’re still not a hundred percent, and what if you fall at home when I’m at work?”
“The Fierros are lovely people, but I can’t keep imposing on them. You know that’s not my way. It’s best for me to go home.”
