The Promise of Change - By Rebecca Heflin Page 0,5
a total stranger.”
She glanced over at Ann, who wore an impish grin. She didn’t dare look at Becca.
She smiled awkwardly, her blush deepening. “Derek, I really appreciate your invitation, but I’m not ready . . . I mean I’m not really . . . thank you, but I have a rule . . . I don’t date strangers.”
“Well, if you decide to break your rule, I’ll be over there.” He pointed to the bar and walked away, shoulders stooped slightly.
Ann hunched over the table and hissed, “Are you crazy?”
Sarah closed her eyes. “It must be so difficult to work up the nerve to ask someone out. God, I hate turning men down.”
“Then why did you?”
“You know why. I don’t date strangers. Besides, I’m not interested—”
“How do you know? He might be a great guy. Honey, when you fall off the bull, you have to get right back on. At least he didn’t try some lame pick-up line.” She shook her head.
“Cut it out, Ann. You’re my best friend, and best friends are supposed to support each other, not nag each other. And you,” she said, pointing her finger at her sister, “don’t start.”
“Sometimes nagging is supporting,” Ann argued.
“Then maybe I could do with a little less support.”
They ate in silence for a beat or two. Boisterous laughter broke out at the table behind them.
“Ken’s retiring and he’s recommending me for the job,” Sarah blurted out.
Becca and Ann looked up, mouths gaping, before squeals of excitement emitted from those same mouths.
“You just now thought to tell us that?” Becca said. “What’s wrong with you?” She swatted Sarah’s arm as she spoke.
“Ouch.” Sarah turned and pinched her sister.
“Girls,” Ann said, interrupting their playful scrap. “Am I going to have to separate you two?”
“She started it,” Sarah said, pointing at Becca. “Besides, I wanted to wait until we were all together.”
“So when’s he retiring? When do you start? How much are you going to make? Let’s toast.” Ann raised her wine glass.
Her continuous monologue left Sarah no place for response.
“Ann, take a breath and give Sarah a chance to reply.”
Sarah told them about her conversation with Ken, and warned that it was only a recommendation. She wasn’t a shoe-in for the job.
“They’d be crazy not to hire you,” Ann said.
“It’s about time. I was beginning to wonder if Ken was ever going to recognize what he had,” Becca said, pushing her plate away.
“Congratulations, Honey. I’m so happy for you.”
Sarah deliberately placed her fork on her plate and folded her hands in her lap. “I haven’t thrown my hat in the ring yet.”
“What?”
“Are you nuts?” Becca said.
Sarah held up her hands. “Ken told me to take some time to think it over, and I’m going to do just that.”
“Why?” Becca’s ‘tone’ returned. “What’s to think about? You deserve the job, and I know you can do it. Don’t you want it?”
“I know I can do it, but you know me. I have to think it over. Look at it from all angles.”
Looking at Ann, Becca said, “A promotion she has to think about. A pricey ruby-red metallic sports car, not so much. Sarah, your irrational behavior is giving me a mental whiplash.”
Sarah sighed. Sometimes she wondered why she told them everything she did. With the two of them ganging up on her, she didn’t stand a chance.
Ann’s cell phone rang. Saved by the bell again.
In her stern ‘mommy voice’ Ann said, “Ya’ll just need to work it out, because neither one of you will like it if I work it out for you.”
“Oh well,” Ann said after hanging up, “this was pleasant while it lasted. I’ve got to get home and referee the kids.”
Becca pulled Sarah aside. “Promise me you’ll seriously consider Ken’s offer.”
“I will. I promise.”
Ann grabbed her hand. “Now show me this Cougar Car.”
The three of them walked down the sidewalk in the twilight, laughing and joking.
Sarah stopped suddenly and turned around. She could have sworn she parked right here, in a now-empty space. “What the . . .”
“Sarah, what is it?” Ann asked concerned.
Sarah turned to Becca, whose face also wore a look of confusion. “Didn’t I park here?”
“Yes. I’m sure you did, because I remember this black sedan.”
Sarah stepped out into the street to look down the road. Something crunched beneath her feet. Glass. Shards of broken glass. She knelt down to examine the pile at her feet. “I think my Cougar Car’s been stolen.”
Chapter 2
What a day. Sarah sat in the passenger seat of Ann’s SUV, her eyes closed.