Page 89 of A Beginner's Guide to Forever
I brush it off. We often see what we want to see. I’m sure it was just a coincidence and nothing more than wishful thinking.
A text message notification on my phone pulls me out of my gloomy thoughts. It’s a link from Joslyn.
I click on it, and an article pops up. I begin reading it, confused about why Joslyn sent me this. It’s about a high school in New York. My eyes continue scanning, wondering why she thinks I’d be interested in this. When I see the connection, I almost drop my phone.
Hartford Winthrop, heir to the Winthrop family fortune, has funded the new program.
I read on, interested now, and trying to figure out what this means. Apparently, Hart sponsored a coding class at an inner-city school in New York. And because it was so successful, he’s now launching a series of coding clinics throughout the United States in underserved areas as a way to give inner-city kids a leg up for learning programming skills and finding good jobs.
I’m struck by a surge of emotions. Pride, first. He wanted to find his thing, and now it seems, maybe he has. Followed by the knowledge that he’s truly moved on for good, which feels like a wrecking ball to my already broken heart.
Joslyn:Isn’t this amazing! Did you already know?
I don’t bother replying.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Find Your Own Happy
Studies have shown that CEOs from the top companies have a few things in common. They’re adaptable, flexing to any given situation, and proactive. They act decisively, even before having all the information, and last, they possess the ability to take calculated risks.
I exercise all these traits when I organize a call to action, asking all former volunteers who are still up to date on their vaccinations to return to Kenya. I even offer to pay for housing and meals so long as they can come by next week. Twenty-two people take me up on the offer, and by some miracle, not even two weeks later, we are preparing to open the doors of the school.
New uniforms have been purchased, official enrollment paperwork completed, and staff has been hired. We haven’t found a new headmaster, but I’m overseeing as the interim lead until one can be found.
As I walk through the doors to the school for the first time, I pause. I close my eyes and inhale the scent of a decade of hard work. It feels like my entire life has brought me to this moment. Tears sting my eyes, and I have to take a moment to compose myself.
Joslyn leads me down the hall until we reach the large open lunchroom, where everyone has gathered for the grand opening.
Seventy little girls, in matching navy jumpers, are chattering away happily. The excitement in the room is palpable. I make my way to the front, and Miss Nelly holds up her hand to get everyone’s attention until a hushed silence falls over the room.
I stand before them, beaming with pride. “Welcome to Renewed Promise School for Girls.”
Their answering applause is not just a polite response; it’s a testament to how important this moment is. An affirmation that all the hours I spent working to make this a reality have been entirely worth it. My chest feels tight.
“My name is Alessia Moore, and I want to be the first to welcome you to this place,” I begin. “The first to tell you how important it is that you are here. My advice for you today is don’t let the world tell you who you are. Be proud of who you are. Be proud of your story and your scars.” One little girl in the front row gazes down at her arms and her legs, looking confused. “Some of you have scars on the outside,” I continue. “And some of you have scars on the inside.” At this I see a few heads nod. I press on. “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do. And don’t let your current circumstances dictate where you are headed. Because I stand before you today, certain that you are going to go far. And today is your first step.”
A round of joyous applause and cheers fills the room, and it’s the sweetest sound to hear them celebrate the fact that they are here. In this place. At this time. With a fresh opportunity ready for them to grab hold of. A lump lodges in my throat as I take in their smiling faces. The shrill of their laughter. Their excitement. Their pride. I want to memorize this moment and hold on to it forever.
I’ve been through a lot to get here, and my life is far from perfect, and yet ... I’m thankful. If I could have written the story of my life, I couldn’t have even dreamed of something this incredible.
I feel a tug at my elbow. Joslyn is trying to get my attention, but I’m distracted by the sight of the girls, who are now singing a chant together, led by Miss Nelly.
“Less,” Joslyn says with more urgency, tugging on my elbow again.
A deep voice sounds from behind me. “You’ve sacrificed your entire life to be who you are today. Was it worth it?”
I turn around, recognition slamming through me.
“I’m not sure,” I admit, my gaze landing on a very overdressed Hart. He’s wearing a suit and tie, and his hair is neatly styled. I can’t decipher his expression. “What are you doing here?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Trust the Timing
The sight of Hart, here in Nairobi, inside the school sends a shockwave of emotion rushing through me. I feel lightheaded. The mistakes I made, the fears I had about us ... everything melts away the moment I lay eyes on him.
“What are you doing here?” I ask again, my brain scrambled.
