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I nodded. “What other choice do I have?”
“I thought you didn’t want to tell them.”
The thought of doing that pained me. My parents had always been proud of me, even if I hadn’t gone on to do something extraordinary with my life. I was a good daughter, and I’d always done the right thing. Growing up, I’d never given my parents a problem.
While I was sure they’d have been thrilled if I’d grown up to become ultra-successful, they were just as happy knowing I was doing what I had to do to provide for myself and live a life feeling happy and fulfilled.
The worst part about it now was that I’d have to tell them the full truth about what was going on in my life. I didn’t want to disappoint them.
When the holidays rolled around and they’d reached out to me about coming to visit them, I declined. I’d told them things went south between Travis and me, and I just wasn’t feeling very festive. I could hear the heartbreak in their voices then.
Though what I’d shared was technically the truth, it wasn’t everything.
My mom and dad didn’t know I was living on Janine’s couch, broke as ever, and on the edge of despair. I’d always been responsible, and this would have crushed them.
Unfortunately, it was looking like I might not have any other choice.
Shrugging my shoulders, I confirmed, “I don’t, but it might be my only option. I can tough it out for a bit while I wait for news on the job, which I’m hoping won’t be more than a few days to a week, but I don’t think I’ll have enough money to hold me over for much longer than a week or so.”
Sadness washed over her. She held my gaze for a few beats before she instructed, “Hang on. Let me give you something.”
Confused, my brows pulled together as Janine walked away from me. I remained put, standing by the door, wondering how I was going to survive the next few months. By the time Janine returned, I had no answers.
Holding her hand out to me, my best friend said, “Here. Take this. It’s not much, but it’s something.”
I looked down and saw a couple of folded bills in her hand. I shook my head and placed my hand on hers, pushing it away. “No, Janine, I can’t. You’ve already done enough.”
Tears filled her eyes. “You’re my best friend, Indy. Please take it.”
Given my financial situation, I really wasn’t in a position to be turning down Janine’s generosity. And when she continued to push the money back in my direction, I figured I needed to start being smart again, even if it cost me a shred of my self-respect.
So, in an effort to make myself feel better about it, when I took the money from her, I promised, “I’m going to pay you back. As soon as I’m back on my feet, whether that’s here in Colorado or there in Arizona, I’m going to get this back to you.”
She smiled brightly, tears shining in her eyes. “I know you will. And I look forward to that day, only because I’ll know you’re safe and doing okay.”
God, I was so lucky to have her. “Thank you, Janine. I don’t think I could ever tell you just how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me these last couple of months.”
Shaking her head as though dismissing the thought, she insisted, “It was nothing. I’m just so sorry I couldn’t convince Colin to give you a bit more time.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be alright. And as soon as I figure things out, I’ll give you a call,” I promised.
Janine offered a look that told me she was going to hope for the best for me, but that she was preparing for the worst.
Knowing I needed to leave for my interview and not wanting to show up for it with puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks, I smiled at my friend and said, “I’ll see you later.”
She returned the smile, a single tear rolling down her cheek. “Yeah. See you, Indy. Good luck.”
With that, I grabbed my duffle bag off the floor, opened the door, and walked out.
Minutes later, I was driving to my interview in my used car. A car I’d gotten months ago when I made some smart moves to salvage and preserve any dignity I had left. I took the car Travis had purchased for me and traded it in. Though the car I was now driving was a serious downgrade in comparison, it did its job. It was reliable, good on gas, and got me to where I was going.
That was all I needed.
My only hope now was that this car was leading me to the place that was going to give me a fresh start. A place that would hopefully provide me with not only a job but also a place to live.
Blue Spruce Ski Resort in Blue Spruce, Colorado.
In my search for a job, I’d learned the ski resort provided housing to employees, and that housing was right on the mountain. If I could land this job, I’d not only have an income and a place to stay, but I also wouldn’t have to worry about transportation costs.
