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“But it was for me,” she said, her voice rising.
“Go back now.”
“How? In case you hadn’t noticed, we have no rent or bills. If we did, I couldn’t afford them.”
“They don’t pay you at the magazine?”
“They pay me, but I don’t have anything. I was at the shelter almost three years.” She snapped her mouth shut as if realizing she’d given away something she didn’t want to.
“And before then?”
“I had nothing. I have nothing. Moneywise anyway.”
“Why didn’t you finish school?”
She was silent so long, I didn’t think she’d answer. Her hands fisted a paper wrapper until she finally tossed it in the bag.
“When my boyfriend found out I’d been going behind his back, he made me quit.” My mouth dropped open. “Yeah, I know. It should have been a clue to get away from him.”
“Not necessarily,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “It’s always easier to see our mistakes after the fact.”
“Some we should see coming.”
“What did you want to study?”
“Chemistry.”
I perked up. “That’s why you like concocting your makeup.”
“I-I never thought of it, but I guess so.” She swung her legs and her heels banged against the desk.
“Ever think about going back?” I tossed the idea out there casually when I was anything but indifferent.
“Not really.” She stared at her swinging legs. “So why a park ranger?”
“I worked on a ranger’s truck while I was in school. We got to talking about it. I needed to decide on a major or I’d be on a seven-year plan. It sounded interesting and turns out it was.”
“That’s it?”
“Not the glamorous story you hoped for?” I nudged her shoulder with mine.
“I pictured a hike to a top of a mountain and inspiration struck.”
I held my arms out wide and looked to the ceiling. “Aah,” I sang.
Her laughter bounced off the walls. “That’s more like it.”
I offered her another taco. “Might be a while until dinner.”
She accepted and peeled back the wrapper. “Do you miss it?”
“The park? Yeah. But I couldn’t stay.” All at once, the food wasn’t so appealing.
“Because of him?”
Just the mere mention of Cameron hurt to the point it nearly crippled me. “Partly.”
“And the woman who called? She’s the other reason?”
