Page 37 of Far from Destined

“Well, I am brilliant, so you should listen to what I say.”

“And what are you saying?” I asked, sighing.

“That it’s okay to rely on others. It’s all right to need them just as they do you. Your friends love you.I love you. And I know Jason does, too.”

“Pop,” I said, my eyes stinging.

“No. There’s no crying in baking. Or baseball. Though I think both of those are lies. Regardless, we’re just going to pretend.”

“Pop,” I repeated.

“No, no crying with me. I’m just saying that you are a wonderful boss, a great friend, and you would do anything to help those you care about. So, let them do the same for you.”

“My friends have jobs. They have lives. And I need to find a daycare or something so I can continue to work, to provide. I just—I don’t think I can do it all.”

“And that’s the crux of it, isn’t it?” Pop asked softly.

“Maybe. I hate this. I hate that Constance is sick, and even when she gets back up to full strength, I still don’t have Nancy’s replacement.”

“You need both. We need to find you something else. But until then, Myra works from home most days. Which means, she can handle a lot of it.”

“Have the girls been talking to you?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Perhaps.”

“And did they ask you to talk to me?”

“Maybe.”

“Pop.”

“What? We care about you. We hate that you’re stressed out. And I’ll have you know that a very growly man also came in to ask me to make sure I contact him if you need anything but are too stubborn to say it.”

I froze. “Macon did what?” I snapped.

“Ha. I didn’t even say his name, and you knew who I was talking about.”

I flushed. “Pop.”

“I’m just saying, he seems like a nice guy.”

“He is. But we’re just friends. So, no getting that look on your face.”

“Whatever you say,” she said primly, and I sighed again.

“You are exhausting.” I shook my head.

“I know. But that’s why you love me.”

“No, I think that’s why I tolerate you. There’s a difference.”

She flipped me off, and I rolled my eyes.

“You’re such a jerk,” I mumbled.

“I am. But you’re going to figure this out. You’ll find another babysitter or formulate a new plan. And you have a lot of friends to rely on in the meantime. And many of them own their businesses so they can make it work. Plus, soon, Josh will have a thousand afterschool activities because he’s growing up and very active, which means you won’t have to watch him every hour of every day.”

“Youreallydo not have children, do you?”