“You did,” Maude admitted. She’d never doubt him again.
“All the same, you’re a saint,” Ned replied. “I owe you a slice of gratitude pie when I can stand long enough to bake one.” He leaned in. “It’s actually apple.”
“That’s dangerously tempting,” she said with a grin. “But for now, just rest. I’ll be over again this afternoon so I can take her out for round two.”
“Thank you.”
As Maude headed home, she felt lighter. She liked helping. She wanted to do more of it. For it to become part of who she was. That gave her an idea.
As soon as she was inside, she made another cup of coffee, then took it out to the porch, where she sat with her phone.
She texted Ollie, even though she knew he’d be busy at the hospital. He’d respond when he could.Good morning. Ned is bruised but in good spirits. I took Cookie for her morning walk. Quite the adventure.
She sent that, then hesitated only a second before adding:Also does the hospital have any kind of volunteer program? I think I want to get more involved. If they need someone. Something tech-related might be nice, but I’m open.
She stared at the message for half a heartbeat. Did she really want to commit herself like that? Yeah, she did. She sent it before she could talk herself out of it.
Maude rested the phone on her leg and stared at the distant water. It felt as if this incident with Ned had tapped a new part of her. Or maybe it was something getting reacquainted with Ollie had awoken. Either way, she wanted to do more. Her phone vibrated sooner than she’d expected.
Ollie had answered.Morning! That’s wonderful to hear about Ned. I’m glad we could help him. As for volunteering, we always need good people. You’d be amazing at it. I can connect you with our Volunteer Services director.
Another message followed almost immediately.And if you want, I can swing by later to check Ned again, just to be safe. Maybe we could discuss volunteering then?
Maude felt her cheeks warm. Was that what Ollie did to her now? Apparently.
She typed back, trying not to sound too eager.That sounds great. Ned would appreciate it. And so would I.
The little dots showed up as Ollie typed again:Perfect. I’ll come by this afternoon.
And thank you, Maudie. The hospital could use more people like you.
Maude pressed the phone to her chest, feeling the words drift through her. The warmth from her face spread into her chest. Cookie had worn her out a bit, but Ollie’s last line had energized her more than the coffee ever could.
She went inside for another cup all the same. While it was brewing, she looked around her tiny home. At the framed photos she’d taken, the plants she rarely killed anymore, Pixel the Betta fish flaring his fins in greeting, and smiled to herself.
Maybe helping people wasn’t just something she did occasionally. Maybe it was something she was ready to do every day.
She took her cup back to the porch and drank it as she watched the Colony continue to come to life. Golf carts zipped by, and more people were out and about despite the breeze off the Gulf warming by the minute. It was good to be part of a community like this.
It grounded her. Reminded her why she chose this change — new friends, new purpose, a fresh chapter she hadn’t realized she’d needed.
Draining her mug, she turned and stepped back inside. Pixel’s bowl bubbled quietly from the corner of the counter, the fish gliding through the water like he was on his way somewhere.Maybe he sensed her energy. “Time to work, buddy,” she told him.
Her laptop waited on her desk. The moment Maude opened it, the familiar rush of focus kicked in. There was a thrill in turning ideas into something beautiful, functional, and real.
She decided to build Blaise’s new website in WordPress. That was something that Blaise, with a few lessons, could update herself. Maude got the sense that Blaise would like that kind of control.
She set up a new account and got to work, hoping to have something to show Blaise when she came by later to do the photoshoot Maude had offered to help with.
Blaise Monroe: Grace, Grit & Glamour, the header read. That was Maude’s working title at least. Blaise would probably argue it was too much. She always seemed to downplay how amazing she was.
But Maude saw what the world needed to see: a woman who’d lived big, loved deeply, and survived what could have broken her. It was a story worth telling. And definitely one worth sharing.
She’d keep the color scheme classic. Black, white, and gray, saving the pops of color for the photos that would be a huge part of this site. After all, this wasn’t about selling antiques or hand-painted seashells. This was about Blaise’s future. The next chapter Blaise had only just begun to imagine.
And Maude wanted to give her the best possible launch. She wanted to be a part of helping her new friend find success.
Maude clicked into the bio section, writing something that would highlight the truth: Blaise was a former supermodel with life experience worth listening to. She was a fighter, a widow learning how to find joy again, someone with insight and humor and countless stories just waiting to be told. Her quiet beauty was proof that age couldn’t erase what lived in the soul.
