Page 9 of Taming Georgia

“Yeah, I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

“I brought you a small bag of dog food, but I can bring you more if you need it.”

“No, that’s okay. I get free food and vet care for him at Cooper’s Place.”

I’m happy to hear this sweet boy is getting cared for by a veterinarian. “That’s awesome. What’s Cooper’s Place?”

“It’s a local pit bull rescue. The owner’s really great. He’s helped me and Stanley boy here out a lot.” Mark reaches out and pats his dog’s back.

My eyes widen. “Your dog’s name is Stanley?”

Mark nods, and his eyes narrow slightly before he answers, “Stan, Stanley, or sometimes Hey You will work, too. Why?”

I shake my head and chuckle. “I used to know a Stan. I was just thinking about him actually.”

He nods as if he understands. “It’s a good name.”

“Yeah, it is. Isn’t it?” I smile and pull the cash that I withdrew from my account from my pocket. “I have this for you, too. I thought you might need a warm coat, boots, or another blanket or something. The gas station didn’t have much in the way of those types of things, but hopefully, this will help you.”

Mark takes the money. “Wow. Thank you, Georgia. This is all too much.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s not. I wish I could do more. Is there anything else you need help with?”

“No, you’ve done plenty. Believe me. You’re an angel.”

“I don’t know about that.” I let out a laugh. “But I try to help out when I can.” I pull Stanley’s ears between my fingers. “Stan, huh?” I say more to myself than anyone. “Mark, do you ever get the feeling that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be?”

“I do. I was meant to be sitting here on this delightful, snowy day so that I could meet you, Miss Georgia.” He smiles wide, and I notice he’s missing quite a few teeth.

“You know, I normally don’t believe in things like that, fate and such. But I have to say, I feel like I was meant to meet you and Stan today.”

He nods. “I think you were.”

“Well, I hope we meet again, Mark and Stan.” I pet the dog once more before standing.

“I’m always here, so there’s a good chance that we will,” he replies.

“Have a great day.” I wave.

“You, too, Miss Georgia. Thanks again.”

I turn away from my new friends and begin my jog back to Paige’s house with a large grin plastered across my face.

My mom was so wrong.

Sure, maybe I can’t help everyone, but today, I helped Mark and Stanley, and that’s the best feeling there is. I might not be able to change the world, but I can make one person’s day a little brighter. There’s a euphoria that comes with that. It’s unlike anything else. More than anything, I’m sad my mom doesn’t get to experience it.

My dad might be able to keep me in the States for now by limiting my funds. But there’s plenty of good I can do here.

I think Stan—the dog or the person—might have been trying to tell me that. My life has a purpose again, and I don’t care who my parents are; they can’t take that away from me.

2

“I’m paid in a currency that’s much more important to me—self-worth.”—Georgia Wright

It’s been a week since I met Mark and Stan downtown, and I haven’t been able to get them out of my mind. I’ve been all over the Internet, trying to decide what to do with my life, but I keep coming back to the shelter. As much as I don’t believe in signs, I know it was one. I can feel it.

So, yesterday, I finally broke down and called Cooper’s Place to ask if they needed help. A lovely woman named Ethel answered. She told me that they were in desperate need of volunteers and asked if I could start today.

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