Page 91 of Am I the Only One

“Are you worried about talking to her after what happened?”

“No. She’s harmless.”

Before he can say anything, my phone rings from my bedroom. Handing him my coffee, I hop off the couch and run to grab my cell before it goes to voice mail. The call is from an unknown caller, and I almost don’t pick up, but then I think better of it. It could be one of Matthew’s doctors.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this Emma Ashford?” a woman asks.

“Yes. Who’s this?”

“My name is Liz. I work in the student financial aid department at Georgetown. Last semester, your academic advisor, Mrs. Montgomery reached out to me. We briefly discussed your financial situation, and she inquired about possible grants or loans you might qualify for.”

“I already talked to someone, but I was told I wasn’t eligible for anything that would be enough to cover my tuition.”

“That was correct at the time, but since we’ve entered a new calendar year, we have more options, some that might be of interest to you.”

“Really? That’s great,” I respond. Finally, some good news.

“As you know, these things go quickly, and the sooner you can get your applications in, the better chance you have. With that being said, I know it’s short notice, but I was hoping I could treat you to a cup of coffee so that we can go over the different applications since some of them can be quite particular.”

Eager to do anything to help get myself back into school, I say, “Yes, absolutely. I’m free whenever.”

“Great. I actually have some availability later this afternoon. Would four o’clock work?”

“Yes. Where should I meet you?”

“I’ll actually be off campus right before that, so would it be okay if we met at La Colombe on I Street?”

Shoving my hand into my purse, I retrieve a pen and scribble down the info on the back of a crumpled receipt. “Yes, that works. Four o’clock, right?”

“Yes, I look forward to meeting with you.”

“Me too. Thank you so much!”

When I hang up, I return to the living room.

“Who was that?”

Sitting back down next to Luca with a smile on my face, I tell him, “The financial aid office. Apparently, some new grants became available after the new year, and they think I might quality for something that would be enough so that I could go back. I have a meeting later today to go over the applications.”

“You’re kidding. Shit, if this works out then that gets us out of this whole situation with Carly.”

“I know. God, I need this to work in my favor.”

“What time is your meeting?”

I take a quick sip of my coffee before saying, “At four.”

“Man, I’d go with you, but I’ll be in class. I don’t get out until after five.” Luca takes the mug out of my hand and sets it down. “Come on. Let’s go grab a bite to eat before I have to go to the campus.”

There’s a lightness in my step as we leave the house. Finally, there’s hope on the horizon, and I can barely wipe the smile off my face as Luca and I eat our burgers at Dyllan’s. After lunch, he drops me off back at the house and then heads to class. It’s hard to sit still, and there’s nothing to do to help pass the time, so I go ahead and hop in my car and drive to the coffee shop.

I’m about a half hour early by the time I arrive, so I order a scone, even though I’m not hungry. Let’s face it, I’m a nervous eater, and right now, I’m on pins and needles, needing to be saved from this insanely toxic situation I’ve found myself in.

I find a table to sit at by the windows and pick at my cinnamon scone while watching the snow fall down on the busy city street filled with people. When there’s nothing left but a few crumbs on my plate, a woman with a sleek raven-black bob approaches me.

“Are you Emma?”