Page 109 of Touch of Class

Excitement pricked at Daphne’s senses. “Seriously?”

Gillian nodded thoughtfully. “It’s still a vague idea. No one knows for sure what it would look like or how much it would entail. I get the sense a lot would be up to me to craft as I see fit.”

“You’d be amazing at that.” Daphne beamed at her, only to realize Gillian’s brow had furrowed. “What am I missing? This seems perfect for you. Sports and mental health are, like, two of your great passions in life, and you’d get to work with an Olympian.”

“An Olympian.” She brightened briefly as awe crept into her voice. “The idea of helping to craft a healthy blend of peak physical and mental performance …”

“Kicks that little high-achieving heart of yours into a higher gear, doesn’t it?”

Gillian finally grinned, but then quickly shook her head. “There are a lot of unknowns.”

“So, make them known. That’s one of the many things you’re good at, making things make sense.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s not part of the plan.”

Daphne grabbed two small plates from the cabinet. “What plan?”

“My five-year plan.” The frustration rose in Gillian’s voice. “I made a plan in grad school. It’s a good plan. It makes sense. It makes everything make sense.”

“In five years?” Daphne chuckled. “That is a good plan.”

“I’m not joking, but I am behind.”

This time, when Daphne turned back around, the tension in Gillian’s shoulders could be seen from across the room. “It’s okay to make your five-year plan a six-year plan.”

“But this diversion might make it a ten-year plan, or a never plan. I’m not sure that is okay.”

“Why not? Plans change.”

“Maybe dinner plans or weekend plans, but I’m talking about a lifetime plan, one to give me security and a sense of self and stability, but things keep going off the rails at work, so I haven’t felt secure enough to do the thing that’s supposed to bring long-term security, which is a vicious cycle, feeling more chaotic by the day.”

“Gillian,” Daphne said seriously. “You’re hardly a chaos gremlin.”

“You don’t understand what my life has been like the last two years.”

“The series of provocations?” Daphne tried to hide her smile by turning to open the toaster oven, but Gillian must’ve heard the shift in her tone.

“Do you think this is a joke?”

“Out of you?” She plated the muffins. “Never.”

“Okay.” Gillian sounded flat-out annoyed. “Sure. I guess it probably is to you. Just floating on through doesn’t bring a real sense of urgency. What do you care if I’m supposed to be moving back toward academia by now?”

She sat down and slid one of the plates across the table. “I care if you love academia.”

“I used to. I also used to love private practice, and some days I still do.”

“And what about sports? Do you love sports?”

“Of course.”

“So, just figure out what you love most and do that. Easy.”

Gillian sighed. “Nothing about that is easy or as simple as you’re making it sound. And Maura’s already halfway retired.”