Page 20 of When You Left Me Speechless

Lacey: Oh yes! I’m dying to hear about your week.

“Are you ready to start working with the kids next week?” Beth asks as I pack up my stuff and get ready to head out for the day.

“I think so. I took a lot of notes. I plan on preparing a lot this weekend.”

“That’s great, just don’t work too hard.” She laughs, stuffing her laptop into her bag.

“Are you sure I can’t stay and help with anything?”

“Oh gosh, no. We have worked late all week. Get out of here and enjoy your weekend. I’ll see you on Monday.”

Lacey walks through the door with two bottles of wine and a take-out bag full of our favorite Chinese food. “Honey, I’m home,” she sings. She kicks the door closed behind her. I grab a couple of glasses, and we sit on the living room floor to eat.

“How was your meeting?” I ask.

“It went great. Margaret didn’t even push back on approving the conference. She said the company would pay for it, so I guess I’m headed to Orlando this summer.”

“That’s incredible, Lace.”

“Yeah, I think Gray was a little jealous, but Margaret told her they would pay for her next year.” She shrugs her shoulders.

“So, what else is new at Dogwood Manor?”

“The usual. I swear I have to explain what an occupational therapist does daily. I mean, I know most of my residents can’t remember, but I wish they would learn my job has nothing to do with their previous occupations,” she laughs. “One of my guys asked if we would be doing his client’s taxes today when I showed up to help him shower. He’s been retired for twenty-five years.”

I laugh and take a bite of lo mein straight from the container.

“Oh, that reminds me. Margaret posted the speech job today,” she says. “You should apply right now.”

She pops up, grabs my laptop, and shoves it in my direction. I open and search for the job posting. I quickly click through the questions and upload my resume. I hand it back over to her, so she can double check everything.

“It looks good babe,” she says.

I pause for a minute before I hit submit and slam the computer closed. She cheers, and I want to cry.

“I can’t believe we might actually get to work together.”

“I’ll be sure to put in a good word with Margaret. You should come to dinner next week with the team,” she offers. “We need to get you in with the group. They’ll love you.”

“Oh, I’d love that. I just don’t know if I have time,” I say. “I have so much studying to do, and Beth has been keeping me so late.”

She looks at me, a little disappointed. “Okay, but you haveto promise if you get the job, you will come to dinner with us.”

“Of course,” I take a big sip of my wine.

“So, what’s it like working at an elementary school?”

“The school is great. I mean, it’s total sensory overload, but I’m actually enjoying it more than I thought I would.”

“And how is Mr. Hotty Mchotterson?” she asks, wiggling her eyebrows at me. A sly grin spreads across her face.

“Don’t call him that.”

She rolls her eyes and pours more wine into both of our glasses. “Oh, come on, I know you think he’s hot. Last I heard, your supervisor was forcing you to work closely with him to help that kid. Right? So, how is he? Have you figured out if y’all banged or not?”

“He acts like he’s never met me before, and I treat him the same way.”

“He knows who you are. He winked at you, remember?”

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