Page 47 of Threads of Kindness
Loretta chuckled. She cut the piece into two smaller slices and served one to each of the teenage boys. “The twins are asleep, and I’m going to help Marissa and Nicole finish cleaning the kitchen. Stay here as long as you like,” she added. “But someone come get me before you leave. I want to say goodbye.”
Frank pushed back his chair from the table. “You did all the cooking. Leave the cleanup to me. I’ll get it later.”
Loretta passed behind him on her way to the kitchen and rested her hand on his shoulder. “You’re always good about cleaning up when I cook,” she said. “I don’t mind doing it tonight. It sounds like you’re in the middle of a serious discussion.” She patted his shoulder and disappeared into the kitchen.
Frank looked at the three young men around his dinner table. “This has been a very productive evening. Construction ofthe new guide dog school will take two years. That seems like a long time, but it’ll be ready to open before we know it. There’s a lot of work ahead of us. I’m glad to have you on my team.”
“Running either a nonprofit or an educational institution were my two dream jobs,” Josh said. “I can’t believe I’ve found a position that lets me do both, straight out of grad school.”
“I believe they call that kismet,” Frank said, smiling. “I’m as delighted as you are.”
David finished his slice of cake and set down his fork, eyes lowered to the table.
“You’ve been awfully quiet,” Frank said. “Anything bothering you, David?”
David sucked in a breath. “During these last few months at the Guide Dog Center, I’ve realized I have so much to learn about training a seeing-eye dog, let alone teaching others how to do it.” He looked up at Frank, his eyes clouded with doubt. “So many people have donated time and money to my dream, and I’m beyond grateful. But I don’t have the skill required to run the technical side of the school. It’ll probably take me years to acquire it.” Misery poured from him like water over a dam. “I can’t do this, Frank,” he said. “I’m a fraud.”
Josh leaned across the table toward David and started to speak, but Frank raised a hand to stop him.
“No one ever expected you to be in charge of guide dog training when Forever Guides opens, son. I hope you’ll want to return to Westbury to work at the school, but I wasn’t even sure of that. You’re young, and things are going to change in your life. Heck, I’m even halfway expecting you to fall in love and stay in California.” He leaned forward, his voice warm. “The point is, David, you sowed the seeds for this remarkable facility, and they’ve taken root. Forever Guides will become a reality, thanks to you. I’d love for you to be part of it—but, if you’re not, it’s still going forward.”
“Really?” David asked.
“Absolutely,” Frank replied. “I’m sorry you’ve been carrying such a heavy weight on your shoulders. If you decide you don’t want to come back, say the word. Don’t be afraid to tell me. I won’t be mad.”
“It’s not that,” David said. “California is great, but Westbury is home. I’ll come back when I finish my training. I was worried you were expecting too much from me when I returned.”
“We’re looking forward to having you as an integral part of our team,” Josh said, “but no one expects you to be the chief technical expert on guide dog breeding, training, or handler assignments. Part of my job as school administrator will be to hire the staff. One of my first tasks will be to prepare an organizational chart and job descriptions. We’ll begin our recruitment process the year before Forever Guides opens.”
“You’ve already thought of all this?” David asked.
Josh nodded, smiling. “We have. And because you’re employed by one of the premier guide dog schools in the country, I’d love your input on the job descriptions and staffing levels—if you have time.”
“I’ll make time,” David said. “Whatever you need, I’m there for you. How will you find the right people? There aren’t that many guide dog trainers.”
“We’ll advertise on social media,” Josh replied. “And I’ll post jobs in industry magazines. Westbury is routinely rated as one of the top 20 small cities in the U.S. That’ll help us. Many people in big cities are looking for a quieter lifestyle.”
“Sherry Parker has also offered to help us recruit,” Frank added. “She was a veterinary intern at one of the East Coast guide dog schools. Sherry still has lots of contacts. She and John are also going to serve as our vets until we hire staff in-house.”
David rocked back in his chair. “You’ve got this.”
Frank and Josh both nodded.
“I’ve been worrying about nothing,” David said. “I feel so much better.”
“I’m glad,” Josh said. “You’ve got enough to think about with your studies.”
“That’s right,” Frank agreed. “Josh and I know nothing about training service dogs. Heck, I can’t even train my own household pets. Josh and I will handle the business end of Forever Guides.”
Josh nodded his agreement. “When do you head back?”
“I plan to leave by the weekend,” David said. “Dodger and I drove, and it’s a two-day trip. My mom insists that I take my car into the shop first, to make sure everything’s okay.”
“That’s smart,” Frank said. “You don’t want to break down en route. It’s a long drive.”
Sean, who had been listening, finally spoke up. “You said it was hard to start your car tonight. That’s why you were late.”
“It’s the first time that’s happened,” David said. “I think it’ll be okay.”
