Making that trip to Ocean City reignited something in me that had been dormant for too long. While I wouldn’t give up any of that time I had being home with Jeremy, I felt I lost something of myself during those years. While I was taking care of everyone else, I forgot to take care of me.
"Absolutely. I can get them done, no problem. It might be a little rusty, but if one of the interns or associates can help me out, I'll be able to do it."
"What about the presentation?" Adam asked.
"Whataboutthe presentation?" Oscar emphasized the word ‘about’, showing us both how unhappy he was with this idea.
Adam turned and looked at Oscar, his eyes narrowed as if he was ready for a fight.
"I think Ruby should do the presentation. She's the most qualified. These are her sketches. It's her idea. It's her voice that the council and everyone else needs to hear."
"She can't present it. She's not even part of the company. She's just..."
“I'm just what?” I asked. “Go ahead, Oscar. Say it. What am I?”
Oscar grew quiet. He was grinding his teeth. It was obvious he wanted to say something, but wouldn't.
Adam ignored him and turned to me.
"I know you're probably nervous about presenting, and I don't blame you for that. It's been a long time. But this is your baby. You should be the one talking about it. You should be the one telling them what you saw when you drove out there." Adam grinned. "And no pressure, but you know, if you bomb, then that's three strikes, and we're out of contention for that project."
I laughed. "Oh yeah, thanks. No pressure at all."
I appreciated the humor. I needed a little bit of a laugh to calm my nerves. Making a presentation was never one of my strong suits. I preferred staying in the background.
"I'll make sure to get you the help that you need. You know you're more than welcome to come into the office anytime. It's your office too. If it helps you, Annie, the presentation is already scheduled in our conference room. We thought it might be better to invite them and have lunch with us before the presentation so that they could get to know us better. Hoping that’ll help."
I nodded and then looked over my sketches once again. While I was nervous about doing the presentation in three days, it had nothing to do with them. I knew my sketches were good. My sketches always were good. I never doubted my talent. What I doubted was the support I thought I would always have.
Oscar’s face had softened a little bit. For a second, I saw the young man I had met in that dive bar all those years ago. For a second, I saw the man I fell in love with. The man I had been missing for years.
My throat tightened, and my eyes began to sting. There was no way I was going to cry in front of the two of them. I took a deep breath, but my eyes seemed to have another plan. My vision blurred. I swallowed hard. I shot a pained look at Oscar before I turned and headed to the door.
I could hear his footsteps quickly crossing the room behind me.
"Wait, Ruby. Just let me explain."
"Haven't you said enough? After all these years, the last thing I need to hear is you explaining why you constantly have to belittle me.” I shook my head. “You know the worst part of this? I miss you. I’ve been missing you for years now. I wish I knew where the Oscar that was my best friend disappeared to. I really miss him. A lot."
I walked out of his office and down the hall, without looking back and hoping that he wasn’t right behind me. I had enough of him for the day.
Chapter 12
Oscar
Ispent the next three days deep in thought.
How could Ruby think that about me? I’m still here. I haven’t gone anywhere.
I hadn't changed. I was the same person that I always was. The same man who swore that all he wanted to do was make her happy.
Hadn't I done that?
Clearly, she would say I didn’t. I sighed and went up to the guest room and pulled out Ruby's old boxes from the closet.
Things were so much simpler then.
I opened the top box, the one that I returned the napkin she sketched on, and searched the napkin.
