“Go on, or you’ll be late for work.”
“Okay.” She waved at him one more time. Hammond opened the back door for her, and she snorted. “I feel like a princess right now.”
Hammond chuckled. “You kind of are to Mr. Buchanan.”
“I’m sorry he’s making you do this,” she said once the driver pulled into traffic.
“I enjoy it, and they pay me good money to drive this cool car.”
She laughed and looked around the inside. “It is pretty cool.”
By the time they got to the center, they were fast friends.
Hammond walked her in. “I’ll be here to get you at five. Stay in the building.”
“Yes, sir.”
He chuckled and waved as she walked off.
The day flew for her, and she stayed busy. As the last child left, Susan, the head of the center, pulled her aside.
“I got a call from Mr. Buchanan.”
“What did he say?” Jade asked. He told her he’d be calling.
“He wondered if you’d have to put in a two-week notice and that you are working for him now.”
“Yes, I am, but I told him I wouldn’t leave you guys in a lurch.”
“That’s very sweet. Masie has been begging for some more hours, so if you want, as much as I hate to say it, this could be your last day.”
“Oh, wow.”
“I know. I can’t imagine the center without you,” Susan said.
“What about the kids?” Jade asked.
“I’ll tell them tomorrow. They’re going to be sad, but that’s life. I know that sounds harsh, but I think everything in their life, good or bad, sets them up to be good adults. There might be a few that scream and yell they want you back, but they have to learn they don’t always get what they want.”
“That’s true. I’ve learned more from the adversities in my life than any other time,” Jade said.
Susan nodded. “I agree with that. Now, as long as you promise to come back and see us often, I won’t tie you to a chair.”
Jade laughed and hugged her friend. “I promise to come back. You guys have been the best friends in the world to me. You helped me out more than anyone in the world. I love all ofyou.”
“We love you, too.”
They both teared up and then started laughing.
“Go before I turn into a blubbering idiot,” Susan said.
Jade hugged her one more time, went and got her bag out of her locker, and then walked to wait in the lobby for Hammond.
“Miss, are you ready?”
She looked up to see Hammond by the door. “I’m sorry. I was spacing off.”
“You’re fine. We’ve got time before I drop you off at the bar.”