Page 28 of The Dreidl Disaster

“He is,” Ash said. “Name sounds familiar.”

“Oh?”

Ash nodded. “He might be a friend of a mutual friend.”

And Liv clearly did not miss the glance that Ash gave Judith. The one that usually meant ‘he’s friends with Judith’s boss who also happened to be Ash’s mentor and co-conspirator.’

“So,” Judith clarified for Liv’s benefit, “is he the one my boss recommended? You know, to Leah when she was looking for a crisis PR person to recommend on behalf of a client of hers?”

Apparently the only way to answer that mess of connection was “Yes?”

“I see,” Ash said. “Speaking of connections, do you still want to come and speak at the mentorship program?”

Which was both a merciful change of subject and a reminder. Liv had offered to speak at the holiday party for the mentorship program Ash andhismentor were running for high school kids. As someone who spent a lot of time doing community service, she felt it was important for kids to see the impact local government made. “Absolutely,” she said. “Give me a date so I can block off the time.”

“Excellent,” Ash said. “Though I wonder…”

“What?”

“Maybe the kids from the program can participate in the event too, you know, some active examples of community service somehow…”

Liv’s mind was suddenly going a million miles a minute—including the kids from the mentorship program would be a way of showing more community involvement in the Hanukkah event.

But also aside from the preliminary conversation with Artur, nobody actually knew what this event, opening…thing would look like. There were also so many different levels to the project, so many questions that needed to be answered…

“Whoa,” her project manager cousin said with a smile, most likely recognizing the combined deer in headlights/excitement-filled expression that had made its way onto her face. “I’m sure Liv thinks that’s a wonderful idea, but us…Liv…those of us on the side of good, need to get through this meeting tonight. Once that’s clear, I’m sure she’s got a bunch of moving parts to manage before deciding what kind of role she’d want both you and the kids from the program to take.”

“Yes,” Liv said, a huge sigh of relief whooshing out of her. “Exactly. Thank you, Ash, for even thinking of the idea. But yes, Judith, you have it exactly. I’ve got a ton of moving parts that I’m working with, including how the town is going to be feeling after tonight’s meeting.”

“Or how the fixer of yours is going to handle a large percentage of seven thousand angry Briarwood residents.”

“Mine?” Liv managed. “Considering the whole beginning of the conversation was about the ton of connections this guy has to both of you?”

“You did get seen by about…at least half the town walking with him,” Ash began, “after the whole incident with McManus turned everybody into protective watchdogs.”

And of course, as half her family reminded her that not everybody was McManus, the other used him as a cautionary tale.

For once in her life, she didn’t want to engage in this conversation, either side of it. “I think I need to head out,” she said.

“Are you sure?” Judith gestured at Liv’s plate, which thankfully was clear. “Do you want dessert or leftovers?”

“No,” Liv said. “Leftovers are going to need to go in the fridge. I’ll be fine. And dessert is probably not a good idea for me tonight.”

Judith nodded.

“You need us to come tonight?”

Liv shook her head at Ash’s question. “No,” she said. “I’ll keep you posted.”

Somehow, Liv managed to leave her cousin’s house, knowing all too well she would have to update Judith and Asher later. But it didn’t matter because there were more pressing matters to attend to.

In order to build something, she had to make sure there was a foundation. And the meeting couldn’t destroy the tiny little foundation she’d begun to create. Her legacy depended on it.

*

Artur pulled intoAbe’s driveway, parked on his parking pad, headed up to the front door and walked right in. “Hello?”

Laughter came from the table, Leo and his wife Sapna, Abe and Batya, waiting for him. Friendship and food at its best, he decided.

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