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“Bray,” Court admonishes, cheeks reddening at the same time I say, “Language.”
“Sorry, Miss Tyler, it’s just stupid.” He drops his phone onto the table. “You said something about a work-around. What did you mean by that?”
“Yes.” I slide the nicely bound proposal packet in front of them. “This is the official proposal I submitted to the city council. This, as it’s laid out here, currently is not a go. This means no city funding or potential support from the state. More importantly, what we’ve lost is the credibility that would come with the town’s backing. It would’ve made things easier when we approach local businesses and charitable foundations for funding. It would’ve also helped with grant applications.”
In a zealous fit of hope, I toss the proposal across the table and it flies into the air, only to drop onto the floor. The teens laugh, staring at me puzzled.
“We’re going to forget about that for now.” I try to sound confident despite a million doubts and what-if scenarios crowding my brain.
“I don’t understand what the problem is if we don’t need that.” Brayden points to the packet on the floor.
“For now, we have the fundraisers and family sponsors. It’s a solid start but not enough.” I watch Courtney gather her long, curly hair and tie it off her face.
The idea of spelling out for them that the town fundraisers may dry up if this situation with Dot doesn’t get resolved quickly and how critical it is that we have the family sponsors makes me sick.
“What happens if we lose the sponsors and no one supports the fundraisers?” Jack’s been quiet throughout the discussion, and I wonder how he’s really taking it. Although, if his questions are any indication, he truly gets how dire this could be. Both things are possible.
“We’re not there yet. I have to talk to each family and plan on doing that over the next couple of days.”
More than likely, the families have already heard from someone in the town, if not the mayor or a member of city council. While their names were not submitted with the proposal, some of the families have been vocal about their involvement with the program. Lara Crandall comes to mind, but I don’t have the heart to mention all of this to them. I’ve already delivered enough bad news for one day.
“And the fundraisers?” Courtney chews on her nail.
“Let’s think positively for now.” My small smile doesn’t quite muster one from any of them and I sigh. “I'm really sorry.”
I can’t seem to stop apologizing. No matter what I tell them, I’m failing them. “I promise you we’ll make your first year of college work. Somehow, some way. And each year after will get better. That’s my goal.” I reach out and take Jack’s hand and Courtney’s. In turn, she takes Brayden’s. “I believe in this program, and I believe in the three of you.”
“We believe in you too. You’ve always had our backs and we’ve got yours. You’re the best.” Courtney springs up from the table and comes around to give me a hug. “We love you.”
“I love you too.” I swallow back tears.
Tears of joy for their understanding and tears of sadness. It all comes down to the fact that I've failed them before they've even gone off to college. And I guess in some ways, that's what life is about. Realizing that not everything works out the way you want it to and you’ve got to adapt if nothing else. That's what I hope they take away from this. That and to never give up.
She squeezes me tight one more time and Brayden mock groans, stiffly smiling. “Hey, Miss Tyler, what she said.” His aversion to anything touchy-feely makes me laugh, and they join in.
“I gotta go.” Court grabs her bag, likely headed for her part-time shift at the Grill.
The chair legs scrape against the floor as Brayden pushes back his chair and stands. “I’ll walk with you. Maybe Pop will give me some fries.” He licks his lips and I can’t help but smile.
Oddly enough, when most adults are running for the hills, my father has always had a soft spot for teenagers. Once I hit my teens, Pop and I hit our groove and things improved. I suppose it also had a lot to do with Percy being older too. I no longer had to play the mom.
“You coming, Jack?” Brayden’s question brings me back to the present, and I watch him walk alongside Court to the door.
“No. I'm going to stay for a while.” Jack rakes his dark hair off his forehead and waits for his friends to leave before looking to me.
“Hey, how are you doing with this?” Jack is a few months shy of eighteen but he’s a sage, old soul. I shouldn't have favorites—I love all three kids dearly—yet Jack has a special place in my heart. It could be because I’ve known him the longest. He was the first of the three to live with Reggie and we bonded easily, but it’s something more than that.
Jack’s the kind of kid who will easily suffer in silence, accept being overlooked, rather than make waves. “I'm good. Okay with this. I have complete faith in you.”
I choke out a jagged laugh, warmed by his confidence and also feeling woefully undeserving. “Thanks, I think.”
He shakes his head and gives me an unimpressed look. “You’ll make it work. I know you will.” He gets up from the table, still staring at me. “Miss Tyler, tell me how I can help you. Please.”
“I will. Right now all I need is for you to keep doing what you’re doing.”
He snorts and pulls on my hand. “Let me treat you to a coffee.”
“Jack, I can’t. The library’s open for another hour.” While we close early today, I can’t just lock up and leave even if we’re the only ones here.
