Page 134 of Hits Different

“I’ve not always been a corporate stooge”. He shrugs, “You of all people should remember that”.

“I do”, Zara says, after a second. “I do remember that”.

“It could make such a difference”, I press. “This is such a big city. I didn’t realise how many kids there were who could really benefit from an opportunity like this”.

“You’re thinking about Jack”, Zara’s eyebrows knot in realisation. I nod, “And kids like him. Kids like me. Who needed someone to believe in them. Who just need a second chance to get back on the right path”.

“Sounds like as good a reason as any”, Simon grins.

Excitement rises in me. “You mean you’ll do it?”

“No”, Zara exchanges glances with Simon, who stands up and offers me a hand. “We’lldo it”.

* * * *

I spend the rest of the day walking on sunshine.

I call my mom and tell her everything. She screams really loudly and then gets Donnie and makes me tell them all over again. Then she loops in Simon, who makes a finger across the throat sign when she suggests conferencing his mom too, and I have to make up an excuse to get us both off the phone.

Not before she’s insisted on bringing the whole family up to Summit and going out for a celebratory dinner. Which is maybe one of the reasons I can’t stop smiling.

The other is my job title. Which is pretty fucking cool, even if I say so myself. Chief Outreach Officer. I feel, for the first time, that I'm making something of myself. On my own terms.

And I’m determined not to blow it. I take out my phone, pull up a familiar contact, and press dial.

A moment later, Vanessa answers. “If it isn’t my former employee of the month”. I picture her reclining behind her desk, lighting a cigarette.

“I hope I’m not calling you too early”.

“Parker, it’s the middle of the afternoon”.

I take a deep breath and tell her everything. About college. About MMA. And about my new job. “And I owe you a huge thank-you”, I finish breathlessly, “Because a lot of it’s down to you”.

“Honey, Ireallydidn’t do anything”.

“You did me a huge favour”.

“I fired you”.

“And I never even thanked you”. I hesitate, “You held me to account, and demanded more from me, at a time when a lot of people would have walked away. I also want to say sorry. Since it’s been pointed out to me that’s not really something I do. I am sorry, for the fight at the Rosebud. I knew better”.

There’s a long pause. “You’re always surprising me, Parker Di Rossi”.

“There’s something else”. I twiddle with my fingers. “Does that offer still stand? Of a meeting with your therapist friend?”

“Of course. I’ll set it up”. She hesitates, “But I thought you just said everything was going well?”

“Everything’s great. For once, it really is”, I say, as Brandon’s car pulls up outside. “And I want to keep it that way”.

This is it, I realise, as Brandon stumbles out of the door, carrying a massive bundle of balloons and a bottle of champagne. He bounces to the front door, and lets himself in. In a second, he’ll greet me with a kiss hello, and I’ll kiss him back.

This is how you do it.

This is what it looks like to be happy.

Chapter 50

Extra Time