Page 8 of Wishing for Love

His mother asked a few questions on how Crystal handled that and within twenty minutes, he knew he had his miracle.

3

GOOD VIBE

Oh my God, Taylor,” Crystal all but squealed in the car when she was pulling out of the driveway. “It went so well.”

“That was fast,” Taylor said. “I didn’t expect to hear from you for another thirty minutes or longer.”

“I’m just pulling away from the house now,” she said. “I dialed from the driveway and hoped they weren’t looking out the window with me squealing.”

Her sister laughed. She never thought she’d be close to any of her sisters. Anne was eight years older than her and a teacher, married with two kids. She was pretty straight-laced and always said Crystal should go to school to be an elementary school teacher.

That was too much structure for her. Not just the schooling to be a teacher, but following all the state guidelines and rules. She’d never been much of a rule follower in life.

In the daycare, they had more flexibility, and it was just as she’d told Phoenix and Carolina, that keeping the kids engaged worked the best and being able to let them choose.

Taylor being five years older than her ended up being more laid back than she remembered. Or maybe it was that Taylor didn’t judge and Crystal felt judged enough in her life.

“I’m so glad it went well. Tell me about the job if you want.”

“It’s really sad,” she said. “Elsie is five. Her mother died from injuries in a car accident three weeks ago. Phoenix was Elsie’s mom’s best friend and got custody of her.”

“Wow,” Taylor said. “Sad and odd, don’t you think? No other parent in the picture? Or a grandparent?”

“I did ask,” she said. “I thought it’d be best knowing what I could about Elsie’s situation. Not only for the little girl, but for me too. I want to know what I’m getting into.”

“That was smart,” Taylor said.

“I’m smarter than you all think I am,” she argued.

“I never said you weren’t smart,” Taylor argued. “I just thought you danced to your own tune. It makes you different, but not that you aren’t smart.”

“I know,” she said. “I have to stop being so defensive too. Anyway, Phoenix said Maryn was a single mother and there was never any father in the picture. I’m not sure what that was all about, but if I get the job, I’ll ask. He did assure me there wouldn’t be any man in the picture either, other than him.”

And what a man he was.

Over six foot. Brown hair, brown eyes.

Kind eyes. That was what she saw. Then the sadness behind them.

It wasn’t just Elsie who was struggling, by her guess, but Phoenix too.

The fact he was Maryn’s best friend made her wonder if Phoenix was gay or not. He didn’t look it to her, but most women and men weren’t best friends unless one was gay. At least in her experience.

Then it hit her. Maryn had to be the one who was gay. Duh. No father in the picture.

That was her guess, but she’d learn more if she got the job.

Best not to jump to conclusions. None of that mattered anyway.

“What does the job entail then?” Taylor asked.

“The funny part is, not much. At least not compared to what I’m used to doing. Phoenix even asked if I thought I might be bored.”

“Why?” Taylor asked.

“I’ve got to live there, which to me is the best part. He’s got a guest suite with a tiny galley-style kitchen, but the stairs to the suite are off the kitchen so I could use that too.”