Page 7 of Where Are You Now
“Whenever there’s a brain injury, we offer work on memory and problem-solving skills—it’s just a precaution, tomake sure your mind is functioning like it should. It’s worth scheduling a few initial assessments just to be on the safe side.”
“She’s right,” her mother said over her shoulder.
Still clinging to the idea that Lucas was the only one who would really know what she needed, Ava was skeptical. “How will I fit all this into my work schedule?”
Her mother put a hand on her shoulder. “I called McGregor Creative. They’ve given you three weeks off from today to start with, more if you need it.”
Ava’s mouth dropped open. “I can’t take three weeks off. I can’t even take what I’ve already taken. I have to get back to work as soon as possible.”
“They said not to worry. They had someone who could manage your accounts. He’s been handling them since the day of the accident.”
She gritted her teeth, her jaw tender. “He?”
“They told me his name, but I don’t remember.”
“Was it Scott Strobel?”
“Yes, that was it. They said he did a fantastic job filling in for you with one of your clients.” Her mom snapped her fingers. “The client was…”
“Coleman Media?”
“Yes! See? Everything is under control.”
Just as she’d thought…
Absolutely nothing was under control.
Before Ava knew it, she was in a taxi, along with her mother gripping onto her suitcase, on her way back to her apartment. Ava had tried to convince her mom that she’d be fine on her own, but her mother had adamantly refused, insisting Ava should have someone to care for her.
Her mother’s suggestion turned out to be a good one. Ava had needed assistance to get out of the car, and help up the outside steps of her building. Getting to her third-floor apartment, something she’d done a million times without asingle thought, was a long, laborious process. When they finally arrived at her door, she was relieved to have made it. She keyed in her passcode and went inside. Her mother brought in their bags.
“I’ve got to call into work,” Ava said as she hobbled over to the sofa, groaning at the pain in her side when she sat. She lightly pressed against the bandage covering one of the lacerations. “Do we know where my laptop and phone are?”
“They were destroyed in the wreck.” Martha set her quilted bag on the table, went around the bar separating the kitchen from the living area, and filled a glass with water. “When I called your office, I let them know about your laptop, and they said they could issue you a new one when you came back to work.”
“Did they say anything more about Coleman Media? Were they waiting long before someone figured out what had happened?”
“They knew something had gone terribly wrong before I’d called them. You were on the phone with someone when the crash occurred. It was that person who called 911.”
“Rachel from Spire.”
Ava’s mom handed her a glass of water.
“I really need to know how the Coleman deal went.”
Martha shrugged, shaking her head, clearly not having all the details. “They said fine, remember? And it doesn’t matter. It’s just work.”
Her mother didn’t understand what it was like to hold a job at this level. She’d never had to be the provider; she’d been a stay-at-home mom Ava’s whole life, and when Ava’s father died of a heart attack eighteen years ago, she’d moved out to no-man’s-land in the sticks of Tennessee. While her mother had chosen a life that had given her happiness, that choice made appreciating Ava’s struggles difficult. She couldn’t comprehend why Ava chose an expensive city tocall home or her reasoning for pursing such a competitive career.
“I’ve put everything I have into that job, Mom. It isn’t just work. I was up forpartner. The guy who’s taking over my accounts is the other candidate vying for the position, and he’s getting all the glory.”
Her mom sat in the sherpa accent chair Ava had gotten herself for Christmas last year. “You could’ve died. The guy who hit you is still clinging to life. And work is what you’re worried about?”
Her mom’s question didn’t compute.
“Why wouldn’t it be on my mind? You did hear me say ‘partner,’ right? That’s everything I’ve worked for my entire adult life.”
Martha slumped back in the chair. “You know, when I’m too old to come get you, you’ll have no one. Who would have come to take you home if this had happened twenty years from now? You’re no longer with David… Who are your friends, Ava?”
