Page 74 of In Her Own Way
“No clue,” Victoria said. She’d rejected the idea of following Erin and Robby to Colorado. Erin needed a fresh start, not a reminder of the family shit. “I’m, uh, kind of talking with someone.”
“Oh, yeah?” Tillman’s voice perked up. “Wait. A love interest or a therapist?”
Victoria burst out laughing. “Okay, you got me. Iamdoing some online sessions with a therapist, trying to figure out my shit, but I meant that I’m talking to a woman every night who I really like. She’s intelligent and funny and makes me think.”
“And?”
“I mean, it’s nothing beyond friendship right now, but I met her onKinks,and we talk every night on the phone.”
“Every night? Nice,” Tillman said. “Where does she live, or haven’t you gotten that far yet?”
“Eastern time zone is all I know.”
“Oh, lord, that could be anywhere.”
“Right? I don’t want to push,” Victoria said. “You know, I’ve always thought of myself as a lone wolf or something. I never needed anybody permanent, just casual relationships, the physical kind. But…”
“That’s not sustaining you anymore?”
“No. It’s not,” Victoria said. “Maybe I want those things you want, too. A home, wife, not sure about kids, but something stable. But…do I, though? I don’t want to be stuck.”
“You don’t have to decide right now.” Tillman laughed. “Do you at least know what she looks like?”
Victoria shook her head.
“Oh, lord, Vic. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
The ding of an incoming text came in. It was Rowena.
Rowena:What day are you coming home? Tell me so I can have your room ready. Minjung is a planner, and she’s bugging me about it. LOL.
An idea swooped in from the great beyond. Yes, this could work. This could majorly work. She excused herself, saying shehad to make a call, and headed out the back door into the cold evening air. She tapped Rowena’s number.
“Are you on your way?” Rowena joked.
“No,” Victoria said seriously. She launched into Tillman’s situation and his insurance dilemma. As she was talking, she kind of felt bad about stomping all over Tillman’s privacy, but it was for the greater good. If it worked, that is.
“Of course our insurance plans cover gender affirming care. That was something I had to convince my father to implement. It took a while, but he finally saw the value in providing care for everyone.”
“You can be very persuasive, Rowena.”
“I also got him to extend maternity leave for both parents.”
“Wow, Tyttle Foods is paving the way, isn’t it?” Victoria said. “So what would Brian need to do about getting a job at the Cincinnati plant?”
“Obviously, he would have to submit an online application first. If that passes muster, then he’d go through the interviewing process like everyone else,” Rowena said. “There are no guarantees, Vic. I stay out of the hiring process.”
“I get it,” Victoria said. “I’ll let him know about it. He can decide what he wants to do. For all I know, he might want to stay in Indy.”
“Let me say this in encouragement, though,” Rowena said. “Tyttle Foods is always looking for qualified maintenance people.”
“I’ll tell him. He’s a supervisor here. Really seems to know his stuff. Thank you.”
“So, what’s keeping you in Indy, Vic? Your family shoots you with taser guns, I hear.”
“Shut up,” Victoria said with a laugh. She evaded the question by saying, “Maybe I will come to the ball. Get me a ticket. And one for Tillman. I’ll pay you back.”
There was a relieved sigh on the other end of the phone. For all her posturing, Rowena had a big heart and truly cared for Victoria and their friendship. “I’m glad you’re coming home.”
