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Her heart broke for the girl who only wanted that out of life.
She put her hand on Tracy’s. “I want to help you get that. Keep working hard and you’ll be good.”
“Thank you. So far, it’s great. I’m putting all my money away. I really am. I know my rent won’t be covered after the end of the year, but Marissa told me I could continue to stay there and they won’t charge me much. I’ve been working with the case manager on budgets and what I could afford and I’ll still be able to put money away if I have to pay what they are getting now.”
“I’m glad for you,” she said. She hoped Tracy wouldn’t be charged even that much since her mother had told her that the Weatherbys didn’t want to change anything at all. “You’re comfortable there? You have everything you need?”
“It’s great,” Tracy said. “It really is. Marissa is wonderful. She’s been teaching me to drive and I’ve got an appointment for my driver’s license in September. My caseworker told me that once I get it, they’ve got cars that are donated and I’d qualify. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done.”
“Don’t thank me,” she said. “You’re doing all the work.”
Tracy sniffled a little. “I’ve done work my whole life, but it never made a difference.”
“Don’t think that,” she said. “Never. It’s working out for you now.” She heard the helicopter coming in the distance. “And you’re going to get your first flight in a second.”
The two of them stood up. “Is it going to be with your boyfriend?”
“It is,” she said.
“Everyone talks about him in the kitchen.”
“They do?” she asked. This was news to her.
“Not bad. Just that he’s really good-looking. I’ve never met him.”
“You’re about to. And yes, he’s really good-looking. But he’s funny too.”
Grace wasn’t surprised she was talked about but didn’t think it would have to do with who she was dating.
When the helicopter landed, she walked over to Lincoln. “Morning,” he said. “Looks like I’ve got two pretty passengers today.”
“You do,” she said, grinning. “Tracy Gingham, this is Lincoln Harrington. He’s going to be flying us safely to Boston this morning.”
“My most precious cargo of the day,” he said. “Climb in and we’ll get you to your destination.”
“See,” she said. “Funny.”
Two hours later, the two girls had shopped for knives and a few other essentials that Tracy could use. She let Tracy use The Retreat discount, which was why she brought the teen here. Tracy had been shocked and thanked her a few more times.
To her it wasn’t a big deal. Since she’d ordered a few things to go into the kitchen, there was no reason to not let Tracy get the same discount. As much as she wanted to pay for the teen’s purchase, she knew that might be overkill.
Besides, Tracy had her pride.
“Thank you so much for the lift over and a great time,” Tracy told her when they walked into her mother’s office. “I appreciate it. It was almost like a girl's day. I’ve never had one.”
Which hit her square in the chest with a medicine ball of sympathy. She wouldn’t let it be shown. “Anytime. I want you to come to me whenever you need anything or have a question.”
“I will,” Tracy said. But she knew the teen wouldn’t. The only time Tracy talked to her was when Grace sought her out. She wasn’t sure if Tracy didn’t feel right approaching the big boss or didn’t want more eyes on her.
For now she’d continue to do things the way they were being done.
“I’ll see you at work later,” she said.
Tracy went on to meet her case manager and then would get a lift back to the docks and take the ferry and an Uber to The Retreat.
She walked to her mother’s office, knocked on the door and opened it.
“Hi, Grace,” her mother said. “You’re early.”
