Page 18 of The Grizzly Situation

“I know.” And I did. Jamie had stopped ragging on me when he was like nineteen. After that, he met Deb, and I think she helped him grow. Maybe it was time I did the same thing. “I love you.”

“Love you too bro. Now call your doctor.”

“I don’t have insurance,” I said. “I’ll figure something out.”

“We can pay for it.”

For many years, Jamie had been taking care of me. If I was short on money for bills, I’d suddenly get a windfall. If I didn’t have food in the house, there would be an accidental delivery, that the store would insist I should keep for my inconvenience. Deb would put out feelers for jobs, and she’d gotten me interviews, that I always managed to screw up somehow.

It was time for me to stand on my own two feet. If I wanted to get better, I needed to take the first step, and make sure to follow through. I had a golden opportunity, and I knew I was squandering it.

“No. I want to do this for me. I’ve put it off long enough, so now I need to deal with it.”

“Okay, if you’re sure. You have to promise me something, though. If you need help, you know who to call, right?”

“Ghostbusters, of course.”

He laughed. “Dick. Call us, and we’ll be there for you.”

We talked for a few more minutes, with me asking about their jobs, where they’d be working, and how excited they both were. I wanted that with a ferocity I hadn’t expected. A job where I could be happy, and one that would give me the support I needed. In short, I needed to talk to Mr. Lockhart.

The first thing I did was pull out his card and put his name and number in my contacts. I punched the buttons before I could freak out further, and waited for him to answer. He wouldn’t, of course. He had to have a million other?—

“This is Brent Lockhart, may I help you?”

“Mr. Lockhart?”

“Oh, Uly! I’m so glad you called. I’ve been thinking about you.”

I was momentarily stunned because he sounded genuinely happy. “Y-You have?”

A deep chuckle. “Don’t sound so surprised. You are not a forgettable person.”

My hackles went up, because I was sure he was going to say my klutziness made me memorable. I was ready to bitch him out, then hang up, but he continued.

“It isn’t everyone who can save hundreds of jobs, and share a sublime cake with me. I asked your brother for the recipe so my staff could make it, but he says it’s a trade secret. Just wait until he sees pictures I’m sending of the kitchen in his new place. I’m willing to bet that sweetens the pot.”

“Sounds like blackmail to me,” I said.

“If it gets me the recipe, I don’t care what word you use.” Then he sobered a bit. “I am kidding, so you know. I would never try to get it from him if he didn’t want to share. I hope he’s willing, but if not, I’m a big boy who can deal with the crushing disappointment of never having that delicious, moist, amazing cake again.”

That made me laugh, I couldn’t help myself.

“So, how can I help you?”

“I wanted to let you know that I’m interested in a job, but….”

How to say this so it didn’t come across as crazy.

“Go on, but what? I’d like to know so I can help if possible.”

He sounded genuine. “I need to go to the doctor,” I rushed out. “Jamie and Deb think I might have a problem that makes it hard for me to focus, and that’s why I break so many things. My brain is going too fast in so many different directions, I can’t nail one down at a time.”

And this was where he’d pull the offer for the job. “That’s a sound assumption,” he said. “How can I help?”

“It’s kind of you to offer, but I’m okay. Just wanted to let you know in case… In case you changed your mind about wanting to hire me.”

There. I’d said it. Now the ball was in his court.