Page 104 of Yearning Difficulties

He nodded at me, his face giving nothing away.

‘Teenagers,’ muttered Marcia. ‘Disgusting.’

Thirty-Four

Red Strawberries

Today’s Track: ‘With a Little Help from my Friends’ by Joe Anderson and Jim Sturgess

I was baking in the kitchen when Ma stuck her head around the door.

‘Dr Bergery is in my colour chair in ten minutes.’

I stopped mixing my dough and gave her words some consideration. ‘Thanks.’

It was Sunday and the final Medieval Faire show was looming. When it was over, the vendors would pack up their wares so that the winter market could take their place. The arena would come down, replaced by the large Christmas maze. Autumn would bow out and winter would roll in.

It was time for a new chapter.

I went downstairs, wearing a plain white tee and a faded pair of jeans. When Dr Bergery saw me, she blinked in astonishment. She’d never seen me so casual.

‘Afternoon, Dr Bergery. Got a minute?’

My breezy tone made her sit up straight. ‘Of course, Zella.’

I gave her a carefree smile. ‘I want to quit the writing seminar. Effective immediately.’

‘What?’ she all but squawked. She smacked at the hands of Ma’s colleague, who was trying to put foil in her hair. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘I’m not interested in gameplaying. Your course wasn’t attractive to me because you’re a great teacher. Or a brilliant intellectual mind I respect. No offence. It’s only famous in university circles because rich kids do it. It’s considered exclusive. I guess, I don’t want my worth to be wrapped up in stuff like that. I want to do things that matter to me because of the work – not the supposed outcome.’

She blinked up at me. ‘God. You’re just like him.’

I laughed. ‘I know you may not mean that as a compliment, but I take it that way. Thank you! And you should really consider Cherry. You know, in my place. She’s a fabulous writer.’

‘Cherry?’

I made to go and then paused. ‘Oh, and one more thing? Can you do me a favour? Can you let Dr Casey know that I want to officially open proceedings for an autism diagnosis. As soon as I’m back at school. Waiting list or private, I don’t care. I’ll get another job if I have to. But it’s happening. I’m autistic. She should probably be made aware. It took me long enough to work it out, I’m not wasting any more time! Can you, like, mention that in the staff room for me? I’d rather avoid all interaction with her. Thanks!’

I skipped out of Ma’s shop before Dr Bergery could say anything in response. I made my way across the square, heading straight for Oregano’s where I knew there was a ‘Help Wanted’ sign in the window.

I stuck my head in the door and smiled at Anderson, who was behind the till.

‘Job?’ I asked.

‘Shit pay,’ he replied.

‘Don’t care.’

‘It’s yours. Three hours after school, four days a week.’

‘Done!’

I beamed at him and backed out of the door, almost colliding with someone on the street.

‘Sorry!’ I cried.

‘That’s all right,’ they replied, their voice soft and completely at ease.