Page 2 of Yours, For Good

I nodded in thanks and made my way to Mrs. Lippett's office. The charity that had provided my scholarship resided in one of those old family homes, the ones that had had absurd amounts of money but lost it and had to sell their house. Mrs. Lippett's office was right next to the entrance, in what I imagined was a room originally meant to entertain guests. I didn't bother to turn on the hallway lights as I rushed to her; the charity was run on a tight budget, and lights were ruthlessly turned off unless absolutely necessary. Marching toward the Students' Administration and Advisory office did not make the cut. I walked in the dark, familiar with the twists and turns of the place I'd called home for the past six years.

A powerful stream of light struck me as I turned the last corner. I blinked several times in an attempt to adapt, a silhouette imprinting itself in my retina— someone was at the main door, backlit by what seemed to be bright LED car lights.

The person on the way out cast a long shadow, their arms and legs elongating disproportionately over the walls and floor. It was a masculine figure, with broad shoulders and evident height, made even clearer by the stretched lines of his shadow reaching towards me in the hall.

The figure left a solid outline embossed behind my eyelids, right before they closed the door behind themselves and disappeared. I smiled. The view made me think of friendly shadow monsters and mysterious people… there was something sexy to it, yet hard to identify. Something in the line of their shoulders and narrow hips; the silhouette I could still see in my mind moved with confidence and even charisma, and if I could meet them I'd say… wow. That was an instant response— and completely out of place. Still, awareness pooled deep in my belly, reminding me I had not had a partner in a few months.

I shook my head and pushed myself to move again. My steps brought a subtle echo to the darkened hallway, now that the main door ahead had closed.

Nothing I could do about the sudden need knocking inside. I was the queen of going months between one-night stands; I was too busy for more, but they were a great way to believe for a second I was a standard-issue young person. The kind that had a sexual drive and enjoyed fun, low risk, low commitment hookups for the release of it. No emotional investment, thank you very much. Three to four times a year.

Less of late, to be honest. It was fine. Easier that way than risking the grief of losing someone so important again.

I knocked on Mrs. Lippett's door.

"Come in," her voice reached from inside.

I stepped into the meticulous and stuffy office and closed the door behind me.

"Did you want to see me, Mrs. Lippett?"

"Yes, Eleanora. Perfect timing. Please sit."

I controlled my face not to show my surprise; those were words more welcoming than I'd ever heard from the director.

She studied me with a serious wrinkle between her brows. I waited and stopped myself from squirming.

Mrs. Lippett nodded once and began one of the longest oratory moments of my life.

"As you surely know, the John Grier Home Charity prides itself on providing educational opportunities to underprivileged and underserved populations. You've enjoyed six years of generous financial and mentoring support, which have allowed you to graduate with your Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education with honors."

I knew better than to interrupt, argue, or correct, but I imagined myself responding anyway.

I've studied hard, ma'am. I cleaned the place or cooked according to your schedule; I did the so-called internships you wanted me to over the summers I was here. I have done my duty.

Mrs. Lippett continued, completely unaware of my thoughts.

"As per our usual schedule, today was the monthly board meeting. In it, we discussed the current student situation, including your name among those who will have completed the maximum number of education years supported by the organization. Part of this process is to provide a report to the Board, to summarize the years of your involvement with the John Grier Home. At this time, we let them know if you obtained any of the grants for which we supported applications. Unfortunately, you did not receive any grants or scholarships."

My blood froze. Everything inside went still. I had gotten the answer I had been waiting for, but it did not go as expected. Ahead of schedule and devastating.

When Mrs. Lippett continued, I heard her through a fog.

"Don't feel too bad about your rejection, Eleanora. Those few spots are disputed among many students in a position such as yours, and only two John Grier students have been successful in all the time this institution has existed."

I blinked several times again, and not in response to a bright source of light this time.

The news— It was fine. Totally fine. I would still start my own business. It would just take longer than I'd hoped.

Mrs. Lippett continued her speech, still appearing completely oblivious to the havoc inside of me.

"Now listen carefully, for what I'm about to say will change your life." Mrs. Lippett let her words hang in the air for several seconds; all I could hear was the beat of my own heart in my ears.

My cranial arteries were about to explode with suppressed cries for an explanation, when Mrs. Lippett continued.

"There is a board member who will sometimes pick a graduating student and provide an opportunity better than any of those grants and scholarships you didn't get. He doesn't always do it— I have yet to crack the code, if you allow my mannerism, of what makes him tick. He's an eccentric man—" she shook her head with a hint of disapproval in the arc of her eyebrows— "but he'll randomly get an interest in one of our students and offer access to an initiative only a select few can join."

I gulped. I was a chatty person and had long suspected some degree of neurospiciness, and it took all that I had not to interrupt her.