Page 10 of Dearest Protector
She moved across the sofa and wrapped her arms around me as she added, “Everything will be okay, Ariel. I know it doesn’t feel that way right now, but it will. You’re barely recovered physically from the accident. Be patient with yourself. You’re a stronger woman than I am because I’m not sure I could have survived what you have. You have more strength than any woman I’ve ever known.”
God, I wished I believed that, but I didn’t.
Maybe I’d survived my accident, but I was barely making it emotionally and financially, and I definitely wasn’t thriving like she was at the moment.
I felt totally and completely…empty.
I held onto her, and for just a moment, I didn’t feel quite so…alone.
“Let’s go eat and really talk, okay?” she asked softly, sounding a little teary-eyed and remorseful. “You let me lean on you when I needed you, but I’m fine now. In fact, I’m better than I’ve ever been in my entire life. You can tell me everything. We’ll come up with some solutions together.”
I nodded as I finally let her go.
I’d never wanted to hide things from my best friend, and I was starving.Literally.It was an offer that I didn’t want to and couldn’t turn down.
Chapter 2
Ariel
It was afternoon by the time I got home from breakfast, and my heart was slightly lighter after Katie and I had engaged in a real heart-to-heart conversation about my accident and all that had happened afterward.
She was right. There was a lot I hadn’t told her to keep her from being burdened when she was brokenhearted and financially strapped herself.
I’d held nothing back this morning, and she’d been there to support me emotionally.
After we’d taken up space in the restaurant for a couple of hours, Katie had mentioned that she needed some groceries. We’d hit the grocery store together since it was right next door to the breakfast place. She had loaded up a second cart for me, whether I wanted those supplies or not.
It was obvious that she wasn’t taking no for an answer, and for once, I’d gratefully let her pay for my food.
I was, in fact, destitute.
I had to be sensible.
If I was going to find a job, I needed to eat.
Someday, I’d pay Katie back for helping me out, whether she wanted the money back or not.
The fact that she was more like a sister to me than a best friend meant more than the money, which is why I could never take advantage of her kindness.
She’d departed for Sanibel after we’d finished at the grocery store, and I’d spent the last forty minutes or so trying to find a place for all the items she’d bought.
My little efficiency kitchen wasn’t exactly conducive to stocking up on supplies, but for some reason, it felt so damn good to see my refrigerator full and my cupboards overflowing with food.
I’d never thought such a small thing could be such a mood booster but it was.
I felt a little safer and more secure, even though I knew it was only a temporary illusion.
Well fed, and with my cupboards stocked for the first time since I’d lived in this tiny apartment, I tried to be positive about my job prospects.
It wasn’t like my landlord could just boot me out of the apartment tomorrow for being a little late.
I’d catch up on the rent as soon as I found decent employment.
I had to have faith that some kind of job would come through for me.
The beginner’s yoga class I was teaching would be ending next week, but it wasn’t like I’d made much money from that class anyway. I’d taken on the responsibility because I enjoyed it, but it had never really been profitable.
I had a gazillion applications out there around the city and nearby areas for something full-time, and I’d keep on putting in for any job I could possibly do.