Stages of Grace - By Carey Heywood Page 0,72
if you're going to be working with Ryan," Michelle teases.
Another fan, I think to myself. When Kate's hair is done, we drive back to her house. For lunch, we have a chef salad. Kate lies down afterward, and I do a small load of laundry to wash my new suits. While the wash is going, I work on my shawl. I can't wait to give it to Kate. She's become such a huge part of my life, and I want to give her something to show her how much this means to me. Maybe she can use it to comfort herself, given all the loss she dealt with over the years. Each time I walk down the hallway to my new room, I still pause to look at the family photo. I have no children but cannot imagine how Kate felt losing both of hers.
Acceptance
the act of accepting
-Merriam Webster
Over that weekend, I try out my new suits. I’m nervous about working with Ryan. On Monday, I wake up early to get ready. Kate fusses over me at breakfast as though I’m a kindergartener getting onto the bus for the first time. She even packs me a lunch and checks to see if I remembered sunscreen. It’s nice, motherly. Something I have not felt in over two years.
Ryan pops his head in the front door. "Cinderella's chariot awaits!"
"Well, have her home before she turns into a pumpkin," Kate returns.
I grab my bag and travel coffee mug, double checking to make sure I have my sunglasses and hurry over to him.
"Is what I'm wearing okay?"
Ryan inspects me, starting with my gray cloth sneakers, raising his gaze to my black running shorts and company t-shirt he had dropped off over the weekend. He brings his eyes up to mine. "You'll do."
I smirk at him and roll my eyes.
"Hey, big scary boss man here. No eye rolling missy."
I bite my lips to keep from laughing and solemnly nod, my eyes dancing. I follow him out to his Jeep, turning to wave once more to Kate. As he drives, I sip my coffee, wondering what the day will bring. When we get to the business, Ryan has me hang out with him in the office area. There are small groups that have reservations to use jet skis to help. Ryan and I check them in and take their payments up front. Then every adult and adult guardian has to sign a waiver. Ryan shows me where to file the paperwork for each group. He also shows me how to schedule folks who call in to make reservations.
What strikes me as being funny is how similar it is to working the front desk at the doctor's office. I check people in, have them fill out paperwork, and accept payments. Ryan is impressed by how quickly I pick it up. Seeing that the office will not be a big deal for me, he asks if I want to go listen to one of the jet ski briefings. There's a lull in reservations, so once the next group is checked in, I walk with him down to the dock to listen to the safety points. Darrell, one of his other employees, is giving the briefing straight off of the dock, there is a large rectangle marked off with buoys. It's about the size of a football field. Darrell explains how that's the riding zone and how to keep the jet ski in idle when going to and from the dock.
He talks about the automatic kill key that is attached to a bracelet each rider will wear. If someone falls off the key being pulled will turn off the jet ski. Every rider needs to wear a life jacket, and he goes around to check that they're all on tightly. The dock has steps that lead down into the water. Darrell slowly walks down them, the first rider following him. Once he's set on the ski and headed to the ride zone, he gets the next rider set until they're all out.
He waves at Ryan, and climbing out of the water, walks over to meet me.
"Would you like to go out on one?" Ryan turns, asking me.
"Right now?" I gasp.
"Sure. Hey, Darrell. Tell Jennifer to watch the office. I'm going to take Grace out."
"Will do. It was nice meeting you, Grace."
Ryan pulls off his shirt and sets it on a bench that is built into the dock. When he sees I'm still standing there, he asks. "You're wearing a