Quietly, and holding back tears, I’d closed my computer, gathered my notecards, and thanked him for his time.
And now I was sitting outside the bank on a bench. I was prepared to be buried there because I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe.
I felt like a fool. A stupid, naive, idiotic fool who’d tried to believe in the best outcome possible, only to be told no.
No. No. No.
And not even given the full hour to be told no.
Salem, Hadley and Wyn believed in me.
Brooks believed in me.
I’d stupidly believed in myself.
What was I going to do now?
Finally, I got up off the bench—my legs had started to stick to the wood. And then I began to walk. My computer bag was slung across my chest, and it hit my butt with every step I took, a steady drum offailure, failure, failure.
I passed the closed diner, Sweet Teeth, and eventually stood in front of the vacant storefront that was supposed to have come alive with my dream. I unlocked the front door and dropped off my computer bag. I kept only my phone and keys with me. And then I kept walking.
I walked down Silver Street toward Silver Springs.
My phone rang when I was a mile outside of town. It was my mother.
I was already at a low point in my life.
What the heck. Might as well.
“Hey,” I said when I picked up.
“Poet?”
I held in a sigh. “Did you mean to call me?”
“Yes, I meant to call you. Sorry. I just thought it would goto voicemail. I’m glad you answered, though.” Her voice was ethereal. Whimsical. Downright flighty.
Mom didn’t really live in the same world as the rest of us.
“How are you?” I asked.
“I’m leaving your father,” she announced dramatically. “The man doesn’t understand me.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I replied with perfunctory indifference.
“Anyway, I’m leaving England, and I’m headed to Bali for a spiritual cleanse. Tru is meeting me there. You should join us!”
“Thanks for the offer,” I lied. “But I’m kind of swamped right now.”
“Swamped with what?” she asked. “Jack said you quit your job.”
“Grampy told you?” I asked in surprise.
“Well of course, sweetie.”
“Did he also tell you I’m in North Idaho?”
“He might’ve mentioned that,” she said with flippant disregard. “Visiting friends, yes?”
