Page 53 of Resisting the Grump

“Well, you’re a force, Avery, and most guys… can barely talk and drive.”

“What do you mean ‘a force’?”

“I mean you have a lot of energy, a lot of style, and more personality in your little finger than most people do after twenty years of trying to find themselves. It must be… intimidating for people.”

Where was this coming from? “I haven’t found myself, Kayleigh. I hate to spoil the illusion, but I’m faking being a grown-up just like everybody else.”

“Well, even if you haven’t figured yourself out definitively,” she said, pausing to choose her words. “You definitely have… comparatively.”

“Comparatively?” I shook my head. “Would you stop talking nonsense and spit out whatever it is you’re trying to say?”

She swallowed and searched my eyes. “I’m having a hard time at school.”

My face fell. “What?”

“Not grades wise, but… I just… I don’t know what I want to do with my life.”

I exhaled and set the piping bag down. “Well, that’s a relief!”

Her brows knitted together.

“If you thought you did, it would just be one more thing you might end up being wrong about.”

She stared at me.

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s great to have goals and make plans to achieve them, but it doesn’t really matter if you know what you want to do.”

Confusion twisted her expression. “How could it not matter?”

“Because knowing what you want to do isn’t nearly as important as knowing who you want to be.”

“Forget I said anything.”

I took a step towards her and set a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, this is important,” I said, lowering my eyes to meet hers. “Are you paying attention?”

She nodded.

“You can do anything, Kayleigh. Anything. That’s why narrowing down your next steps based on what you should do feels impossible.”

“It really does.”

“I know. So figure out what you value first. Then choose a path that allows you to honor those values, and everything will work out.”

“Live my values,” she repeated, like her mind was mulling it over. “Is that why you dropped out of your program?”

“Yes. That’s exactly why I’m decorating cupcakes this afternoon instead of drawing up divorce papers. But this isn’t about what I think is right or risky or rewarding. It’s about you following your heart. Not money. Not the crowd. Not Google trends. Your heart. In essence, do what makes you happy.”

“Like hot food critics?”

“Very funny. I mean, it’s working for me, but—”

“I don’t think I want to be a doctor, Avery.”

“So?”

“So that’s why I chose my program, and I’m going to graduate soon.”

“Have you enjoyed your studies?”

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