Page 129 of I Hope This Finds You Well

I grin. “We need to catch another movie soon. You around next weekend?”

“Ooh, yes!” But then she frowns. “But next weekend I’ve got a sleepover party. And the week after, Rhonda asked if I can help set up early for crochet club.” She pulls out her phone, looking disturbingly like Anna the office manager as she taps at her screen with pursed lips. “Let me get back to you and I’m sure we can schedulesomething...”

Just as I’m coming to terms with getting stiffed by a teenager, two arms tug at me, pulling me around and scooping me straight into a generous bosom. “You came!” Rhonda’s arms hold me tight against her chest, rocking me from side to side. “It’s so great to see you!”

She releases me, and it’s amazing to see how bright her face is. Another year has gone by, but somehow she seems younger.

I nudge her shoulder. “So, retirement. Never thought I’d see the day.”

After I was fired and Armin quit, it was determined that Rhonda’sposition was necessary. I was so relieved when I finally called her and found out she was still employed. Her smile reaches the corners of her eyes, creasing the bright green eyeshadow. “Things have gotten so busy. I just couldn’t be bogged down by work anymore.”

Miley pipes in. “She’s running three classes now.”

“And training my star pupil to teach one,” Rhonda says, her whole face glowing as she looks at Miley. “We just got approved for a permanent spot at this community center. We submitted all the applications virtually.” A blush tinges her cheeks.

“That’s amazing. I’m really happy for you Rhonda.”

That’s when Gregory comes stomping up to us, hands jiggling his junk until his very marinated fingers emerge from his pockets and find their final resting point on Cliff’s back to thwack it. “Who let this guy in? I’ve got half a mind to get some bouncers in here. Damn thorn in my side.” His voice has that aggressively amiable tone that only he can pull off.

I can’t help the huff I let out. I’m trying to grow as a person, but there are exceptions when it comes to certain people.

“Not a thorn.” Cliff smiles stiffly, and his fingers twitch against mine. “Just helping some employees get their basic rights met.”

Gregory’s attention draws past him toward me. As much as I thought I’d evolved past caring about this horrible man’s presence, I curl away. “Jolene! All right there? No moreissues?” A glint of spit is caught on the corner of his mouth.

Just a little bit louder than a whisper I say to Cliff, “Too bad you quit before Greg got put in those HR sessions. That would have been fun!”

Gregory’s face turns into a pomegranate as he backs away and spots Robin Winters. “Robin! You got your steps in there?”

Cliff shakes his head with a small grin. “Chaotic of you.”

I lean against his arm, resting my head against his shoulder. “You’re going to have to clean that shirt where Gregory patted you. He touches his penis a lot.”

Cliff’s nose scrunches with disgust. “I’ll find us some drinks. Grapefruit soda?”

I fight the instinct to stop him from ditching me and nod, releasing his hand.

Just as he walks off, I realize I’m doing pretty okay so far, standing right here, alone in a room with people who are looking at me, even though I’m still not sure what to do with my hands.

I search for a familiar face and spot Armin talking to a group of people in a corner. I take a step in his direction—only to realize I recognize the back of the blond head standing to his right. My skin pulls tight. Cliff had warned me that Caitlin might come today. I’ve overthought what I’d say if I saw her about a trillion times—had several chats with my therapist, asked Cliff every detail about his union work interactions with her—yet nothing has prepared me for the flash in her eyes when she turns around, like she can sense me watching her. She was always good at that.

Armin turns too and sees me. He whispers in Caitlin’s ear before coming toward me. “Jolene! Great to see you! How’s everything going?”

I grin politely while keeping one eye on Caitlin, who’s already moved on to chat with Gregory. “Things are decent, a little stressful. I’ve got finals next week, so my whole life is basically studying right now. But I’m enjoying it.”

I mean it. Training to be a youth counselor has fulfilled me more than anything else in my adult life. It’s the perfect combo: I can genuinely help people and know I’m doing something that matters, which is what I was so desperately craving forsolong.

“You’ll do amazing,” he says. Then the slightest wrinkle forms under his eyes. “And thanks for sending the latifeh last month.”

My throat dries. Last month was the anniversary of his mom’s death. I pull him into a side hug, and he leans against my shoulder. “Of course. How’s your dad holding up?”

He pulls back, rubbing the back of his neck. “Eh, he’s mostly good. Asked about you recently. I told him you’re in school for counseling, and he’s more confused than ever.”

I slap my hand onto my forehead. “The poor man.”

I don’t notice Caitlin sidling toward us until she’s directly in frontof me. The song on the speakers fades away, a beat of silence falling around us, and my hands clench against my will. I shouldn’t be scared of her.

She taps Armin on the arm. “Do you mind if I have a word with Jolene?”