Page 88 of Seeds of Love
“By working from the inside,” Tara counters. “Look, I’m not saying I agree with his choice. But Freddie’s a good guy. Have you considered that maybe he’s fighting the same battle, just differently?”
Her words settle into my mind more deeply than I expect. They remind me of the community meeting last month, when I’d been so sure I was right. So certain of my position. But then Sandra had shown me that sometimes, you have to compromise to save what you can. That being too rigid in your beliefs can end up hurting the very thing you’re trying to protect.
“Remember what happened at the meeting?” Tara adds, like she’s reading my mind. “How you were ready to die on that hill until you heard the whole story?”
I bite my lip. Maybe I do have blind spots—especially when it comes to stuff like this. Emma’s death left such a deep wound that sometimes it’s hard to see past my anger, past my need to prevent anyone else from experiencing that kind of loss.
“It’s just...” I struggle to find the words. “After Emma,” I choke on the next words.
“I know,” Tara puts an arm around me and holds me close. She reaches into her pocket, pulling something out. “Actually... I’ve been waiting for the right moment to give you this.”
In her palm lies my leaf pendant, the silver gleaming like new, the chain repaired.
“Tara...” My voice catches.
“I found it in your jewelry box when I was borrowing earrings last week,” she explains quickly. “I hope I haven’t overstepped, but I couldn’t bear seeing you without it. And I know I don’t know the full story about where it came from with Emma, but I know she gave it to you, and...” She takes a breath. “I just wanted to do something to help. You’ve been so down lately, and honestly? It looked super cute on you.”
Tears blur my vision as I take the pendant from her. The familiar weight of it in my palm feels like coming home. “You didn’t overstep,” I manage. “This is... Thank you doesn’t seem like enough.”
Tara helps me fasten it around my neck, her fingers gentle. “That’s what best friends are for,” she says softly. I think, not for the first time, about how grateful I am to have her in my life.
I shake my head, overwhelmed by emotion, as I touch the pendant now resting in its rightful place. It’s too much to process right now, when I’m this tired and emotionally raw. But I can’t quite silence the little voice wondering if maybe, just maybe, I’ve been too quick to judge about other things too.
As I pull away from her arms and finish my tea, a yawn escapes me, my body finally succumbing to exhaustion.
“Okay, that’s it,” Tara says, standing up. “Bed. Now. Doctor’s orders.”
I chuckle weakly, too tired to argue. “Since when are you a doctor?”
“Since my best friend decided to become a zombie. Now sleep. The world-saving can wait until morning.”
FREDDIE
NOW – JUNIOR YEAR – MAY
The EcoTech Solutions headquarters stretches toward the sky, a gleaming beacon of possibility. As I step out of my Uber, the morning sun catches the building’s surface, and I have to squint against the glare. I can’t tell if that’s a warning or a welcome. Though, when have I ever been the sort of person to believe in omens?
I fiddle with my tie for the millionth time. The suit’s new – something Troy helped me pick out because apparently, I “dress like a confused college student trying to impersonate a businessman.” Not wrong, but still. When I left this morning, Ethan whistled and called me a corporate monkey, while Alfie muttered something about me looking like his piece-of-shit dad. So, that was encouraging.
Alex’s voice echoes in my head:“They killed my cousin, Freddie.”
I shove the thought away. Dr. Reeves explained this – the consulting division is different. We’re the good guys, working to prevent disasters like Lake Marshall from happening again.Change from the inside and all that crap. Still, my stomach churns as I push through the revolving doors.
“Welcome to EcoTech Solutions, Mr. Donovan.” The receptionist’s smile is practiced perfection. “Mr. Johnson is expecting you. Please follow me.”
The lobby’s a masterclass in corporate environmentalism. Living walls drip with carefully cultivated greenery, and screens display a constant stream of sustainability metrics. Carbon footprint readings. Renewable energy usage. Corporate responsibility initiatives.
“They paid a fine that probably didn’t even dent their quarterly profits.”
Shut up, Alex.
Dr. Reeves’ words surface, fighting for space in my crowded conscience:“We need people like you, Freddie. People who understand both sides.”
The elevator rises smoothly, and I watch the numbers tick up. Each floor bringing me closer to a salary that could changeeverythingfor my family.
As I walk through the corridor to Mr. Johnson’s office as instructed in my email invite, I’m impressed by the amount of environmental messaging around us. Posters of lush forests and clean energy projects line the walls, alongside slogans like “Powering a Greener Tomorrow” and “Sustainable Solutions for a Brighter Future.” It’s encouraging to see them taking this stuff seriously. Maybe Alex was wrong after all.Or maybe it’s all for show.
“Mr. Johnson will see you now,” the receptionist announces, gesturing toward an office that probably costs more than my entire education.
