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I smile and nod, touched. “Thanks, sweetheart, and I really appreciate it, but owning a small business is tough. I’ll be straight with you. If things don’t pick up, I’m going to have to shut down the shop because I need clients. Of course, getting started is always rough, but I can’t afford the rent with the way things are going, and even more, I don’t want to put down roots in Millbrook if the shop fails.”
Olly puts her hand on my arm, her expression suddenly stricken.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Jason,” she says in a soft voice. “My car drives better than it ever has before, and you’re great at what you do. I’m sure others will see that soon and your business will boom.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. That means a lot to me. I just need other people to entrust me with their vehicles as well.” Then I sigh. “Okay, enough with the depressing shop talk. What about you? I think you mentioned you’re in school and you have a job? What do you study? What do you do?”
I know the answers to these questions already due to my relentless stalking, but still, it’s better to hear them from Olly. It provides cover for me so I won’t slip in the future.
The pretty blonde sighs and then smiles.
“Well, for work, I’m a maid. It’s not very exciting, I know, but it pays the bills and Sparkle Maids is pretty flexible. I don’t have to commit to a certain schedule, so I can pick up shifts each week as needed. Plus, I’ve been with them a long time, so I know the ropes.”
I nod.
“There’s nothing wrong with getting your hands dirty, honey. Plus, it’s honest work so I’ll always respect you for that.”
Olly smiles, a little tired.
“Yeah, but let’s just say I’m going to school so I don’t have to be cleaning other peoples’ houses for the rest of my life. I’m studying psychology.”
I nod.
“Makes sense. What made you choose psych? Does it have to do with your dad?”
She shakes her head, a shadow of sadness passing over her face momentarily. “Not really. It’s more that I’ve always been interested in how people tick, what makes them do certain things, and why they think a certain way. It’s been fun learning about the human psyche, but to be honest, I’m not sure what I’ll do with the degree when I finish. Human resources? Marketing?”
I nod.
“How about becoming a psychologist?”
She nods.
“I know, someone with a psychology degree should become a psychologist right? But to be honest, Jason, I don’t think I have what it takes, and besides, I’d need to get more than an associate’s degree for that. Lots of practicing therapists actually have Ph.D.’s which is why they’re doctors. They’re not medical doctors, but they have doctorates, and I just don’t think I can stay in school that long. I mean, I’m only in a two year program now and it feels like it’s dragging on forever.”
I nod. “Yeah, I get it. I’m a mechanic because school wasn’t my thing either, and needless to say, I never even bothered with college.”
Of course, this would be the perfect time to mention that part of the reason I didn’t go to college was because I was serving time, but the moment passes before I get my thoughts together. Instead, Olly merely nods thoughtfully.
“Yes, I don’t think college is for everyone. Lots of people hype it up as the be all-end all, but I don’t think it is. There are lots of people talented in the trades. You, for example.”
I grin.
“Thanks honey. I appreciate it. But back to you. You have your life ahead of you, so you’re not stuck in any one thing. There are other options for a psych degree, right?” I ask. “After all, you understand people and that’s probably something a lot of companies find valuable.”
Olly sighs again before taking a sip of her Coke.
“Yeah, and some of my professors have mentioned marketing or advertising as potential avenues because you have to understand your customers in those lines of work, so it would make sense.”
“Well, there you go,” I say, squeezing her hands. “Your future is all mapped out.”
She giggles and swats my arm playfully.
“Oh you! Except I still have a bunch of classes before I officially graduate, so we’ll see. It’s okay though. I have plenty of time to decide what to do with my life and I can spend a little more time with Sparkle Maids before taking the leap.”
I nod approvingly.
“That’s a good attitude to have, honey, and I like that. Every time I’ve seen you, Olly, you’ve been positive. Even when discussing your dad’s passing, you were brave and beautiful, and I appreciate that.”
She flushes before looking at me shyly.
“Thanks Jason. Just so you know, I appreciate you too.”
