Page 92 of The Restoration Program
“Enough, babe. Can we be present here? Together?”
She wanted nothing more than to snap that she’d rather bepresentanywhere but here. Her temper wavered at its boiling point, but as she took in their stares, she stuffed her anger down reluctantly. Humiliation roiled through her at the thought of giving in, but that was preferable to looking like a petulant child, she supposed.
The only way forward was to salvage the evening. Ryan certainly wasn’t going to be the one to accomplish that unless it was his way. Nicole tried not to worry over what Darlene would think about her typing bubble vanishing.
“Fine,” she said with a heavy sigh. She turned to Michael and Lauren, shoulders sagging. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap like that. It… it hasn’t been easy, adjusting to all of this. I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but we really appreciate you coming.”
“Heavens, I can’t imagine what you’re going through,” Lauren said in a hushed tone, her shoulders curving forward like she was trying to make herself smaller for Nicole’s sake. “I have to say—you make it look easy! You look so comfortable with yourself, using your computer and your walkways.”
Ryan returned to his seat on the couch, his tense stare morphing into a more innocentlet’s not fightlook. “She’s been doing incredible,” he told his mother. “Every day, I can’t wrap my head around how far she’s come.”
“You know, I’ve been seeing so many of those interviews—that Alina Porter is something else! They really are making such a difference in the world, giving people a second chance at life.” Lauren sighed wistfully, looking between Ryan and Nicole. “I’m surprised there wasn’t anything published about your wedding—no interviews, or anything? We were hoping to share it with your cousins, sweetheart.”
“There might be a piece later,” Nicole said, forcing herself to sound more chipper than she felt. “I’ll have to ask at the next group meeting.”
Just like that, Lauren wanted to know everything aboutPartners with Prints. She’d heard about the meetings over the phone with Ryan, but she seemed particularly enthralled to hear about them from Nicole’s perspective. In the midst of the conversation, Ryan excused himself to the kitchen to grab the store-bought pastries he’d ordered earlier that day.
As Lauren tried to liken the support group meetings to her book club, Nicole couldn’t help but glance Ryan’s way—particularly when Michael got up to help him. He had never seemed the helpful type, especially unprompted.
As they passed under the kitchen archway, Michael clapped Ryan on the shoulder. Michael’s voice was naturally loud, but apparently Lauren had gotten used to tuning it out over the years.
“I’m proud of how you handled that,” Michael said. “It’s for her own good.”
Nicole couldn’t quite hear, but she was sure Ryan said, “Thanks, Dad.”
DAY SEVENTY-NINE
Nicole had hoped to avoid the visitors this time around, but there was no escaping them at the Facility lately. Each time she and Ryan visited, parking became more and more scarce. Prospective clients packed the lobby, waiting in lines to speak with representatives of the Restoration Program. WhenPartners with Printscouples would walk in for their meeting, the line of clients would round on them eagerly.
“How does it feel?”
“Is it scary?”
“Is it worth it?”
Question after question was aimed at Nicole. Hopeful eyes watered with amazement like she was Christ walking on water. She didn’t trust herself to do more than smile tightly and nudge Ryan to walk faster. Her fingers dug into his sleeve as he carried her. It was all she could do to keep from snapping that she’d had no choice in the procedure.
On their way to the support group room, Nicole caught snatches of conversations—waitlists, flexible long term payment plans, guaranteed accommodative renovations. There was a new brochure this week, sitting on display racks and clutched in hands. The digital version was animated on a dazzling loop on the massive LED monitors hung from the ceiling. Alina Porter was their cover star, sitting primly in a hand under the Restoration Program logo like it was the sun shining down on her. Nicole got the eerie feeling the video of Alina on the screen was making direct eye contact with her. The smile on her face silently screamed at Nicole,Why can’t you be this happy?
The familiar faces in thePartners with Printsroom had never been so inviting.
Carlos grunted as Nicole gripped him in a hug the moment she set foot on the platform. She immediately flushed and pulled back.
“Sorry, I just…”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me,” he said, and she thought howniceit was to hear his voice in person again. “I saw those crackheads out there. Someone tried to grab Becca’s arm on our way in. Nearly bucked me loose.”
“You’ve got those ninja reflexes right?” Ryan said, standing near the rail. “Wouldn’t be much of a challenge for you.”
Carlos grinned at him. “I always land on all fours, like a tiger.” He growled, waggling his fingers like claws. “But enough about my incredible finesse and superhuman physique. You texted before hitting the road you had some news. Good news?”
“Yes,” Nicole said, lighting up and glancing up at Ryan. “I went to the park I had my eye on since we moved!”
“Wewent.” Ryan shot her a playful smile.
“Well, yeah, obviously. I survived a whole five mile hike! We went around the entire loop and saw the autumn colors. And guess what? I didn’t panic.” Nicole eyed the other partners in the room. Some comfortably lounged on shoulders, as relaxed as anything. “I know that’s not much,” she added, softer. “But it felt pretty great.”
Ryan chuckled, a strangely chiding note in his voice. “See? Aren’t you glad you listened to me?”
