Charlie

Me and dad sit together in his office shuffling through the papers of Olivia's answers.

"She finished these fast," he comments.

I nod. "I think she's really wanting to find a job for herself."

"Doesn't she work at that fudge bakery?"

I nod. "But I don't think she's happy there."

Dad nods. "That would make sense why she's looking for a job then. Is that the whole reason?"

I shrug.

Dad raises an eyebrow. "You didn't ask her that?"

"No. Should I have?"

Dad sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "It's always important to know why someone is looking for a job. It can help you with finding a more serious job or a part time job to get them over."

"Oh."

He reaches out and pats my hand. "It's alright. This is your first case, you're going to make mistakes."

I nod. "I know that."

Dad smiles sadly at me. "Now, should we start making a list of potential careers for her?"

I nod.

"Alright." He spins around towards his computer and starts to type. "She appears to be an adventurous, outdoors, active person."

"She also likes to do art."

"Who sometimes takes the calm route. What else did you learn?"

"She's a big fan of animals. She doesn't like the sight of blood but she can stand it. She believes everyone deserves a fair chance."

"Hm. There's quite a few jobs that could work for her."

"Really?"

Dad nods. "I don't think I've seen this big of a list since..." He looks over his shoulder at me. "Since your mother."

"Mom?"

Dad nods. "I'm sure you don't want to hear about her. So let's just focus back on-"

I shake my head. "No. I want to hear about her."

When mom first left I hated her. I didn't want to hear anything about her. As I got older and started to... not care so much I didn't care, but I still tried my hardest to avoid any talk of her. Now, part of me wishes she had stuck around. Maybe I always wished that and just denied that I did. But, I want to hear stories about her and get to know her. Even if she doesn't want to get to know me.

"Are you sure?"

I nod.

"Well, after you were born and your mother started to struggle she was seeing a therapist. They had suggested she try and find a job that would allow her more routine and rules in her life. She used to struggle with that. When you weren't needing her attention her mind would slip and she'd have a hard time coming back. So a job that she could do while also being around as a mother seemed like a good idea."

"I'm guessing you treated her like a client when she came to you?"

Dad nods. "It was the only way I knew how to treat her. We went through all the questions and made a list. It was huge. The bigger the personality someone has and the more likes versus dislikes they have, the bigger amount of jobs there is for them to try. So we went through the whole list. Tried each job, experimented, all with you right there by our side."

I smile. "Did she end up finding one?"

The fond look that had been on dad's face drops. "No. She had fun and loved so many of them but she told me working wasn't for her. She couldn't do it. Not with you needing her."

I snort. "Then why'd she end up leaving?"

Dad hangs his head. "She didn't want to. But she knew she had to get better before she could raise you."

"Are you telling me that after ten years she still isn't better?" The words come out rougher than I mean for them to.

"I don't know."

I roll my eyes. "Because she doesn't care anymore."

"I don't want to believe that," he whispers.

"It's what I believe."

Dad hangs his head. "I know you do. And I hate that you believe the worst in your mother."

"Can you blame me? She left and hasn't come back."

Dad sighs. "I can't. That's what hurts."

We fall into silence.

He still loves her. I know he won't ever stop. And as much as I hate her, she's still my mother. Wherever she is.

"So what's my best course to take?" I ask, trying to get us back on topic. Maybe asking about her hadn't been the smartest idea.

Dad coughs into his fist. "Right. Let me just print the list off so you can see." He moves his mouse around and after moments of silence the printer starts to buzz. He spins around in his chair and stares at the printer until it spits out two papers. He grabs them and spins back towards me. He lays the paper side by side so that I can read the words.

Each page has two full lists going down them. I quickly scan through them and catch a few different careers: doctor, vet, chef, pilot.

"That's a lot."

Dad nods. "My first suggestion would be to sit down with her and go through the list. Cross off any that don't interest her and circle any that sound interesting."

"What if there are some that neither interest her nor disinterest her?"

"Those will be your failsafes. So if you end up going through the list of ones that interest her and none end up being right for her you'll try the back-up ones."

"Sweet."

"So I'll let you do that. When you're done with that I'll help you book some appointments to try them out and set you up with a few career fairs to go to."

I nod. "Sweet. Thanks."

"Anytime."

I go to stand up and leave when dad reaches across his desk and grabs my hand. "You know that I'll always be here for you, right?"

I nod. "I know."

He smiles. "I love you."

"Love you too."

***

I hand the list to Olvia.

"Wow. This is long." She looks up at me over the papers.

I nod.

"Why are there so many?"

"My dad says it means you've got a big personality and lots of interests."

"See, on a normal basis that would seem good. In this case though." She looks down at the list once more and cringes. "It doesn't seem good."

"Why not?" I lean onto the counter.

"First, it'll take us forever to get through everything on this list, and I don't have forever to do that. Second, there's a lot of careers on here, how are we going to get through everything?"

I grin. "That's the best part. We don't have to do everything."

She tilts her head. Her red hair falling over her shoulder. "Oh? What do you mean?"

"Well, we'll go through the list first. We'll cross off whichever careers don't interest you and circle the ones that interest you the most."

She looks down at the list again. Her eyes glide back and forth across them, "That'll cut it down a bit. I'm already seeing ones I don't like."

"Great. Should we start working on it now then?"

She shakes her head. Her hair flies back and forth as she does. "I can't today. I have to close early and go watch Sasha in her game."

I tilt my head. "Oh? What does she play?"

"Basketball."

"Really?"

Olivia smiles. "She's the best on her team."

"You're just saying that because you're her sister."

"Nope. Sasha really is the best," Nick pipes in.

I turn and find him exiting their staff room. "Hey Nick." Ever since I've started spending more time here I've started to talk more with Nick, the guy behind the counter.

Olivia smiles as he comes to stand beside her.

"Are you both going?" I ask, glancing between them.

"Yep. Gotta support her." Nick grins.

Olivia seems to have a hard time looking away from Nick. "Can we go through the list tomorrow? And then maybe over the weekend we can start the hunt?"

I glance once more between the two of them before nodding. "Yeah. Sure."

She grins. "Awesome. I'll see you tomorrow then?" She holds the papers out to me. Her blue eyes urging me on.

I grab them from her and shove them into my folder I have for her job finding. "I'll see you tomorrow." A sad tone underlines my words.

"See ya around." Nick reaches out for a fist bump.

I shove the folder into my bag before fist bumping him and turning around. I leave the store — but not the weird feeling in my stomach — behind.

I should have known they were going together. There's something between them, whether it's just feelings or a relationship though, well I'm not sure. But why do I have this weird feeling in my stomach? It only appeared when I saw them together.

I shake my head. It can't be feelings. I'm still getting over Eva.

Right?

But if that's the truth, then why did it hurt when Olivia gave Nick all her attention? Why did it hurt when she dismissed me and said we'd meet up tomorrow?

I try to shake the feeling. I need to focus on why I'm helping her in the first place. Not whatever weird feelings are taking shape that won't go anywhere.