Page 157 of Cara & Gian: The Guzzi Duet

Cara turned to the teen. “You have my cell number. You know you can call me anytime, right?”

Tiffany nodded. “Yeah, of course.”

“What do you need?”

“I know the House set up a volunteer to take me to and from court, but I was hoping … well, that you might do it, Cara. I know you’re busy, and you start back at university next week, too. But—”

“Absolutely,” Cara interjected quickly.

She was honored that Tiffany felt better having Cara there than anyone else.

“You won’t have to miss anything?” Tiffany asked.

“It doesn’t matter if I do,” Cara replied. “Lots of stuff can be worked around. This, for you, is one thing that can’t be. No problem at all.”

Tiffany’s hesitance left her eyes. “Thank you, Cara.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

They fully suspected that Tiffany’s father likely wouldn’t even show up to court, but either way, they still had to go.

“I’m going to go find Mikey,” Tiffany said.

Cara said goodbye, and once the girl was gone, turned to Jenny. “That’s all? Did you want me to stick around and help with dinner or anything?”

“Extra hands for dinner would be great, but there is one more thing.”

“Oh?”

Jenny shrugged. “Tiffany did mention something important. Your classes are starting up next week.”

“So?”

“Your co-op term actually ended last week, Cara. You’ve already gotten your grade for this, sweetheart.”

Cara just stared at the woman. “I’m here because I want to be, because this place is amazing and so are the women and the people who run it, not because of a grade.”

Jenny nodded. “I know.”

“Why mention it?”

“I wanted to ask if you would like to stay on, even after your classes start. We can work out days or evenings, weekends. It doesn’t have to be a five-day-a-week thing, or whatever. The women love you, and the staff—”

“Yes.” Cara didn’t need to think it over. “You don’t even have to ask.”

The first day back to class was always a shit show for Cara. It meant rushing between halls and buildings to be early for professors that were almost always late, but had zero issue with calling out a student for coming in after they finally showed up. It also meant orientation for smaller classes, plus going over what could be expected for the coming semester.

Cara had another year left, and she was done. Not only did she already have her Masters of Social Work, but once the year was up, she would also add her master’s degrees of science and in public health. If she decided to take her education further, she could choose a residency program for psychiatry and continue on that path. But for now, her three master’s would allow her the ability to work in several fields, including with children and mental health.

It was every goal she had wanted to achieve, and it was almost a reality.

She wasn’t used to the early morning routine after the summer, though. Cara had even managed to forget to feed herself, which sent her running to the café she liked just a couple of blocks away from the university, when she had thirty minutes to spare.

Cara groaned at the sight of a long line when she stepped into the café. Unfortunately, another swarm of people came in right behind her. She quickly filed into line in order to not wait any longer.

By the time she did get to the front of the line to place her order, Cara was damn near terrified to check her watch and see how late she already was for her second to last class. She quickly asked for a coffee, bagel, and cookie to-go. Though she was hungry for more, her stomach would have to wait until she got home.

“Your order will come up down there,” the barista said, pointing at the end of the counter.