Page 5 of Finding Gwen

“So step one, pawn my engagement ring. What next?” Even though that was a question I should have been answering for myself, I knew Ivy probably had some kind of plan being put together in her head as we spoke.

“Well, I know a woman in Chicago who runs a nanny agency. Her name’s Carol. I reached out to her today before my meeting started and raved about you. She’d love to interview you in person soon so she can find you a family that could be a good fit.”

“Chicago?” I gasped.

“Gwen, I think it would do you some good to get out of this state. I know you feel some kind of moral obligation to stay because of your parents, but I know they would have wanted you to go out and live your best life. You can’t do that here. Not with all the trauma you have experienced. It’s time to do something for you.”

My chest tightened at the mention of my parents. After the car accident that took both of them from me, I was a wreck. I did some really stupid shit and almost flunked out of college, but somehow, Ivy helped me snap out of it. Since then, I felt like I was always making decisions based on what I thought would make them happiest, not myself. They would have wanted to see their little girl married and settled down, so when Matt came along, I didn’t question things.

Now, what Ivy was saying had my heart doing somersaults. Could I possibly make a choice that would benefit me whether or not I thought it would have made my parents happy? I wanted to believe I could. “Okay.”

“Okay?” Ivy seemed surprised.

“Yes. You’re right. Maybe it’s time I start living the life I want to have, not the life I think my parents wanted me to have. So let’s talk to your friend.” Ivy proceeded to jump up and run to her bedroom. She ran back, stopping in front of me and bouncing on her heels while handing me an envelope. Taking it from her, I opened it as she sat down next to me. Looking inside, I saw a printed copy of an email confirmation for two plane tickets to Chicago for this weekend. Confused, I met Ivy’s enthusiastic gaze. “Wait, what are these?”

“I bought them last night after you went to bed. I had hoped I could whisk you off to Chicago for the weekend, so it would be easier to convince you to leave Matt. I didn’t anticipate him going psycho and doing all the hard work for me. Plus, when I talked to Carol today, she told me she had a couple leads for some jobs and could meet us for drinks Friday night and talk logistics. Plus, I don’t have any contracts keeping me in Pittsburgh. If you find a job, we can both move.” She paused, taking a second to breathe.

“Ivy, I don’t know what to say,” I hesitated, wanting to agree but still feeling unsure.

“You don’t have to say anything, babe. Even if Carol’s leads don’t work out, we can still have a fun weekend away from this mess.” Ivy was right. She always was. I launched myself at her, nearly knocking both of us over with the force as I hugged her tight.

“Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” I was grateful for my best friend and I needed her to know that. Ivy hugged me back, and for the first time in a long time, I actually had hope for the future.

Two days later, Ivy and I boarded a plane to Chicago and were sitting at a high top waiting for Carol in one of the low scale bars near the AirBnB we were staying in. Picking at my cuticles under the table, I took a minute to look around the bar, taking in what could potentially become a regular place for me if I moved to Chicago. As my eyes moved past the front door, it opened and in walked a woman who looked a little out of place. Dressed in a tennis skirt, with a matching quarter zip, I imagined her just coming from a country club. I looked at Ivy, who was waving to the woman from across the room.

“Carol! It’s so good to see you!” Jumping down, Ivy greeted the woman with a hug.

“Ivy! It’s been too long. I’m so glad you two decided to make a trip out here.” Carol seemed to be a genuinely happy person, offering me her hand with a wide smile on her face. “I’m Carol. You must be Gwendalyn.”

“Yes, but everyone calls me Gwen.” Taking her hand, I shook it while offering a small smile of my own.

“It’s so great to meet you. Sorry for the less than professional attire. I had a tennis lesson right before this, and it was easier to come straight here than to go home and change.” She offered up a small laugh while releasing my hand.

“I appreciate you taking the time to chat with me.”

“Of course! Let’s get straight to business so that we can enjoy ourselves afterward. Ivy filled me in on the basics of your situation. Are you hoping to start immediately, or do you want a little time to adjust first?”

“I can be flexible. Honestly, I’m ready for a change, sooner rather than later.” Ivy’s phone went off, interrupting me, and she quickly answered it. She slid down from her stool, whispering, “work.” I offered a thumbs up and a small nod before she headed outside to take her call.

Carol didn’t miss a beat, picking up right where she left off. “Well, depending on what you’re looking for, I have a lot of families looking right now. I do have a single dad who is a bit desperate for help. He’s got a two-year-old boy, who is just the sweetest thing. I could probably get you an interview tomorrow while you are in town. If the meeting goes well, we can talk about logistics regarding background checks and everything afterward.”

“I would love that. Are you sure?” I was surprised by Carol’s relaxed approach toward placing nannies with families. A first time meeting in a bar didn’t scream the most professional of interviews.

“Absolutely. I’ve known Ivy since we were kids. Any friend of hers is good in my book. Plus, I’ve been where you are.” Reaching out, she placed her hand on top of mine, her eyes suddenly going sad. “We’ve got to stick together. So, however I can help, I will.”

“Thank you, Carol.” I was blown away. In a matter of minutes, I had formed a deeper connection than I have with most people I’ve known my entire lifetime.

“I’m going to reach out to him real quick.” She gave my hand a squeeze before pulling out her phone and typing away. I was about to get up to check on Ivy when I saw her walk back inside.

“Everything okay?” I asked as she reached the table. She looked a bit confused by my question.

“Yeah, just my boss. Nothing crazy.” She waved her hand dismissively and I nodded my understanding.

“It’s done!” Carol enthusiastically puts her phone down on the table before looking my way. “Four o’clock tomorrow. His name is Anthony Marino. I’ll send you all the details, so no worries there.” Carol waved down a waitress as I stared at her, bewildered by the entire exchange. Ivy chuckled next to me. Given their history, it would make sense that she was used to this kind of behavior from Carol. When the waitress came over, she ordered three glasses of house red and the waitress happily obliged. Soon, we each had a glass in our hand.

“It can’t be this easy, can it?” I took a sip of wine, hoping that the anxiety I was feeling would settle with the alcohol. “Starting new? Finding myself again?”

“It can be if you let it,” Ivy said before taking her own drink. I guess we were about to find out.

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