“Well, I’d want to research…”
“Ugh. No. No research. What would youdo? Would you still want tenure?” Suzie sat watching me, with her new short hair emphasizing her beauty even more. Her green eyes were brilliant and on full display without the hair to hide them.
“I don’t think so. I thought I did. It was my plan for so long. Now, I’m not so sure. I started on a path to help and it got derailed. I quit, by the way.”
She gasped and looked at me.
“It’s okay. I wasn’t okay at first. But I am now. I don’t think it was ever what I wanted. I just wanted to help.”
“Tell me how you would do that. Remember, all the money in the world.”
I gripped the steering wheel. “I guess… Well, I’d start a program. For kids of parents with addictions. I would want there to be a place where those basic needs are met, to allow room for a desire for more. Take them outside of that bubble kids can get stuck in. I’d show them what’s out there, what they could reach for. I’d want someone to believe in them. Give them hope.”
“So why not start there? I think it’s safe to say enough research has been done. Why not just start helping and do that?”
“I guess…I mean, start a program myself?”
“Yeah. You have the brains, and the know-how. You could just start, and maybe the government could help. You know how to write a grant request.” A grin grew on her face. “You said you were going to buy my freedom with your savings. I don’t know how much it is, but it could be a start.”
I told her what I had been prepared to offer.
Her eyes went wide. “Ford!”
“What?”
“You have that much money? But you’re a teacher. You have a roommate.”
“I’m naturally frugal. I guess I was always afraid of going back to poverty.”
She smiled. “You were going to give all that up for me?”
“I still would.”
She smiled at me so big. I meant the words. I’d give up everything for her.
“You’re crazy. With half that money you could do something. At least start something. Other people might join in. I could help you. I know some people.”
“Huh.” I turned her words over in my head. Could I be responsible for all that? Didn’t I need to find the person who would do that? But I’d need a person that cared like I do. A person that would make sure that every detail was right. Somebody had to do it, so why couldn’t it be me? I could be enough.
“Suzie?” I asked when we were almost home.
She blinked up at me with sleepy eyes. “Hmm?”
I loved her new hair. I kept meaning to say that but wasn’t sure if—
“I love your hair.” No overthinking and overanalyzing, I told her how I felt. No more confusion.
“Really?” She ran a self-conscious hand over it.
“Yes. It makes your features even more breathtaking. You’re beautiful. I love you.”
She bit her bottom lip between her teeth. “Thank you.”
“Will you please move in with me? And stay with me for forever? I miss you.”
I focused on the road, but her stare was tangible. “I’m not too loud? I don’t make too much of a mess in my room? I still chew with my mouth open.”
I kept my face serious. “That’s the other thing. I’m going to need you to move into my room. For the foreseeable future. For safety.”
