Page 2 of Unconditional

Alisha: My bad.Musta been a different Misely Fisher that was obsessed with the picket fence & wedding planning.

Misely: Things changed.you know that.I have to focus on my career.

“Miss Fisher?Care to join us?”

My head snapped up and my phone hit the floor.I grimaced, silently hoping I hadn’t just royally fucked the screen up.Gingerly, I leaned down and picked it up, sending my boss, Jobe, an apologetic smile.

His beady eyes rolled to the heavens before he continued on his spiel.I sighed, settling into my seat and tucking my thankfully-not-destroyed phone into my briefcase.Patti sent me an empathetic smile that could easily counter as a wince, and I allowed myself to find some comfort in her silent camaraderie.

In the year I’d spent in Chicago, I’d found it more challenging to make friends than I’d been prepared for.Admittedly, I was used to people being drawn to my charisma and spunky personality.It had worked for me everywhere I’d ever been.I suppose that’s what happens when your entire personality shifts and you move from a town with a population of ten thousand to a city of 2.7 million.Everyone in Chicago has charisma, everyone has spunk.It’s not new or special or quirky—it’s just another tactic to reach the top.

My only friend was nearly two thousand miles away, and the only person who’d wanted a meaningful relationship with me was a man I had turned downthreefour times.So, I accepted Jobe Wyatt’s assistant’s pity with a grateful heart, and decided I’d buy her a coffee once this dreadful meeting was over.

Thankfully, he wrapped it up pretty quickly after that, shooting me a heavy side eye on his way out the door.He muttered something to Patti, and from the biting snap in his tone, it wasn’t altogether polite.Considering the way her plump cheeks reddened and she swallowed, I’d guess I was correct.

I approached tentatively, afraid I might spook her like a cat if I moved just a smidge too quickly.

“Patti, right?”I said, offering her a smile.“I’m Misely.I know we’ve never formally met, and I thought that was a shame considering I’ve been here for ten months.”I stuck out my hand, waiting for her to shake it.

Deep brown eyes stared at it, uncertainty evident in the scrunch of her brows.After a long moment, her palm wrapped around mine, shaking it firmly.“Yes, Patti.It’s nice to officially meet you.I’m sorry I haven’t introduced myself sooner, Mr.Wyatt keeps me busy.”

Patti’s voice was light and airy, a light accent punctuating the ends of her words.It only then occurred to me that I’d never heard her speak before, which spiked an irritation in me.I should have put in more of an effort to get to know my colleagues in the beginning instead of allowing myself to get distracted by who I’d find in my bed at night.

“How long have you worked here?”I asked conversationally, sliding the over strap of my briefcase higher onto my shoulder.She shot me another questioning look, though it is more curious than off-put.

“I’ve been here fifteen years.Before this I was a counselor for Found Family Chicago for twenty.”

That was highly impressive and I must have shown it on my face because her demeanor changed, making it easy to sense the pride she tried to dampen down.

Found Family is a hard organization to get into and an even harder one to stay with long term.The Chicago faction even more so.I’d done a lot of research on varying organizations when I was planning for my move here and Found Family was one that I had chosen not to apply to simply because I knew I wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment.The things some of these children were facing were above my ability to mentally handle, and even though I wished I could be that person who’d champion for them, I knew it wasn’t my time yet.Those children deserved warriors at the helm, and I wasn’t confident that I was there yet.I would be though; I was determined of that.

Patti and I walked out of the conference room together, our bags and paperwork in hand.“Why did you come to Chicago Children’s?It sounds like you were really devoted to Found Family?”

The City of Chicago Children’s Center was an honorable, reputable program dedicated to stepping in and protecting at risk youth.I was honored to have landed a spot with them as a social worker, every child on my case load dear to my heart.But Found Family was a next level, revolutionary organization.It was admittedly incredibly intimidating.

The woman beside me was quiet for a moment, contemplating her response.“I was.For a long time, that was my home.My calling.”

“I sense a ‘but’ coming.”

She chuckled.“But, Mr.Wyatt asked for my help.Chicago Children’s is important to him, which is why he is such an ass at times.He needed me, so I came.”It felt like she was still holding out on me, but it didn’t seem as though she was willing to divulge further.I decided to shelve it for now and change the subject.

“Would you like to grab a cup of coffee with me?I found this really great place just a few blocks over and they have the best scones I’ve ever had.”

Patti’s eyes snapped to mine and she considered for long moments before finally, “Yeah, yes.That’d be great.”

Discreetly I let out a sigh of relief, my lips trembling into a grin.“Wonderful.I have a few cases that need my attention, but I’m free at ten.Does that work?”

She pulled out her phone and checked her calendar before confirming, and then we each went our own ways, a renewed sense of hope settling in my chest.

two

Misely

Pattiwasaremarkablewoman.As planned, we met at the office foyer and walked down to Bean’s.The small shop was named after its owner, Agatha ‘Bean’ Doyle, who also happened to handle all the baking in house.I’d been coming here every day from the first week I started at Chicago Children’s, in a sad attempt to recreate the routine I’d held in Wisconsin.It was never quite the same because my routine before had included Birdie.

I’d had to get comfortable quickly with being on my own, my best friend thousands of miles away and in another time zone—most days, when I was grabbing a cup of coffee and breakfast, Bird was still fast asleep.I couldn’t even pretend to myself that she was nearby.That adjustment had been the hardest one thus far.

I made do by getting to know Bean and her staff and I certainly appreciated how welcoming they all were, but it was a hot spot—especially at seven in the morning when many of Chicago’s people were rising and heading off to work.Bean and her people were quickly sucked up by the success of their shop and I was left to sit at my quiet little corner bistro table by myself, sipping my macchiato, and inhaling the delightful blueberry lemon scones that were hot and ready every morning.

---