Page 126 of Even After This
With so much breakup grieving, my laughter feels foreign to me, and I clutch my stomach. “That’s amazing.”
She rolls her eyes. “My husband got a new gadget for Christmas. I haven’t figured out how to disable this one.”
Taking deep breaths to calm my giggles, I flash a smile at her.
She pulls out and drives toward the exit. “Do you want to talk about how Harlan’s in LA while you’re here in Colorado?”
Ignoring the punch to my gut, I run my finger over the window and gaze outside. “No.”
“Very well. Let’s go over our plan.” With a graceful wave to the parking attendant, she exits the lot. “Three new properties hit the market last week. Peter Grundle, an architect highly regarded in his field, is available to go with us on our viewings and discuss how to turn those houses into your halfway house vision. I sent him your notes, so he’s up to speed. But he’s also developing plans to convert Twelve Bluebells into a more user-friendly ranch concept.”
At the mention of the property that sides up to Harlan’s, I sit at attention and face her. “Prissy—”
“This search may take some time, so it’s nice that you have the freedom to stay in town a while.” As we stop for a red light, she clicks her pristine nails against the steering wheel. “Because you have more clarification on what you want this time around, it might be a good idea to make your funds available. We don’t want to miss an opportunity for a quick sale.”
Grateful she moved on from discussing the ranch, I decide to play along. “Okay. I’ll move some money around from my Swiss bank accounts.”
She slides her eyes to me. “Are you engaged in a criminal enterprise?”
“I’m just kidding.” I chuckle. “I’m more of a Swiss chocolate kind of girl.”
“I understand why you’re nervous about the possibility of residing next door to Harlan’s family—”
Snapping my mouth shut, I cross my arms over my chest.
“—but living in the country is different than the city. Borrowing a cup of sugar requires a car ride, which means you rarely interact with your neighbors.”
I nod and ignore the things she said. “I’m also an I-would-like-Swiss-cheese-with-my-ham-sandwich kind of girl.”
“You love that property and need to keep an open mind.” When the light turns green, she punches the accelerator. “Wait until you see what Peter’s got in store for the boardinghouse.”
This woman is relentless. “I’m also a Swatch girl.” I rub my wrist. “I had one growing up. Do they even make those anymore?”
She takes a right turn as if she’s Danica Patrick. “Peter’s an expert. His work is impeccable.”
“Can I call him Peter the Great?” I grip the handle on my door. “Don’t forget Swiss cuckoo clocks.”
“You’re a little cuckoo right now.” She straightens out the car and guns the gas. “Maybe we should be looking at properties in Switzerland. I have a superb contact in Bern.”
“You’re the one that keeps bringing up a property that’s less than a football field away from the Holcombes.” Remembering the seats in this car warm themselves, I adjust the appropriate control. Whoever came up with this concept should get an award. “I would be open to a place in Switzerland. Their train tunnels are cool. But I heard there are a lot of thyroid disorders. Something about lack of iodine.” As I snuggle deep into the heat at my back, I forgive the car for allowing Prissy to drive so fast and settle in to enjoy the ride. “So maybe let’s just stick with Colorado.”
Living in a Broadmoor brownstone has some perks. I can access all the amenities as if I were staying at the hotel proper. I’m within the resort’s reach, and it wraps me in a protective cocoon with its spa, delectable eating, and personal care.
In the meantime, Prissy hooks me up with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, located in the heart of Colorado Springs. Using her contacts, we conduct several meetings to formulate an effective business plan and brainstorm fundraiser ideas.
Sally joins us on occasion to throw her encouraging two cents into the mix. She’s gracious and supportive. It’s been a good distraction from discussing our mutual friend, Hercules.
My therapist back in Dallas networks her connections to aid in the search for long-term facility staff. People who can counsel, oversee support groups, provide self-care education, and help the women thrive. I want these girls to understand their needs and strengths, and how to operate in this world in light of that information.
Without knowing what is logistically possible, I’m hoping to create a haven for community and healing.
My solitude during this time is purposeful. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I spend an hour every day in complete silence, waiting for answers.
An intensity builds in my quiet spirit.
I don’t know exactly what I’m waiting for. But at the beginning of each day, I release what I want to hear, how I want to hear it, and when I want to hear it, creating space for something different. New. Undefined. I don’t know. Just something that isn’t how I’ve felt about myself for a lifetime.
I give all that I know of myself to the process.
