Page 94 of Fostering Chemistry
MIA
By Thursday,I was going a bit stir crazy. I’d made it down the stairs yesterday, with Aaron hovering anxiously by my side, but it had hurt. Coming back up was even worse, so today I intended to stay in my room as long as people kept bringing me food. Which they did. It was an odd sensation, especially after having foster parents in the past who would yell at me for being sick.
But still, it was boring. Eventually, I settled at the desk and started working on a plan for my video presentation. Now that I had a team, I needed to act like a manager. I created a group chat for Aaron, Cody, and me, and worked on an outline for my presentation.
When I called Zoe to say I could return to the coffee shop next week, it was a bit awkward, but she didn’t mention the other day and politely asked how I was feeling.
I filled her in. “I’m so tired of being stuck inside. I’ve talked my roommates’ ears off, I’ve been so bored.”
“Sounds like you do need to come back to work,” she said.
“The thing is… one of them, Diego, told me the story of how he became the residential advisor here. They didn’t even have one when he first moved in, but he convinced the powers that be that they needed one—and then convinced him that he was the right person for it. I hope I’m not overstepping, but maybe you could do something like that with your internship over winter break.”
“I don’t have an internship. That’s the problem.” Her voice was a little testy, but not unduly so.
“I was thinking… you’re such a go-getter. Could you maybe contact a place that doesn’t official provide an internship and tell them why they need you?”
“I can’t imagine that working.”
“It did for Diego. And… I’ve seen the way you work, Zoe. You’re strong and assertive and take charge. Like the polar opposite of me. Maybe you could just kind of do your thing and bowl them over, like make them realize that they can’t live without you?”
She huffed out a sigh. “That does kind of sound like something I’d do. But where? I’ve applied to practically every high-end resort and hotel east of the Mississippi.”
“Have you ever heard of The Fraser?”
“No, what’s that?”
I told her what I knew. I’d done some research last night. The place had a website—a minimal one—but otherwise, it was hard to find out about it. Aaron said it was so exclusive it didn’t have to advertise. I’d questioned him on what it was like when he went there with his grandparents, and I shared that info with Zoe now.
“It’s worth a shot, I suppose.” She sounded like she was warming up to the idea. Good. Maybe she wouldn’t make me scrub the floors with a toothbrush when I came back, as payback for upsetting her.
“I hope it works out,” I said, and I truly meant it.
That eveningthere was yet another knock at my door. That had been happening a lot lately, even though the door was open. But this time, I was quite surprised by who it was.
“Hi, Raymond.” He wasn’t my favorite roommate, but we all lived here and needed to get along.
He stood hesitantly at the door. “Hi. How are you feeling?”
“Better, thank you. How are you?”
“I’m okay. I, um…” Something about the way he hovered and looked uncertain made him seem younger and a little vulnerable.
“Come in, Raymond.”
“Thanks.” He took a couple steps toward me. “About the other day… the reason I asked if you were having your period is because I had a foster sister who had endometriosis. She had terrible pain, and it took them three years to figure out what was wrong. Before I knew about your leg, I thought maybe that might be it.”
I blinked, surprised by his words and that he’d actually been trying to help, in his own slightly awkward way. “Thank you. Is she doing okay now?”
“Yeah. I get a text from her about once a month. The doctors help her manage the symptoms. It’s easier to treat something when you actually know what it is.”
“Yep.” This was the nicest conversation we’d ever had, but I wasn’t quite sure what else to say.
Then he continued. “After that, I was at a group home.”
“What was that like?” I asked softly, suspecting I knew the answer.
“It was… rough.” His quiet voice barely reached my ears. “It was like if you didn’t say something provocative, no one heard you. And after a while, it just became easier to say something mean.”
