A Million Little Things (Mischief Bay, #3)

“We’ve texted. We’re getting together this week.”

“Good. She and I haven’t said a word to each other. That child of mine. She can be so frustrating. I worry about her.” Pam grimaced. “I should have listened to you about the intervention. It was a disaster. I never wanted her upset. But of course she won’t see that.” She sipped her tea. “It’s not easy being a parent.”

“I’m sure my dad would agree with you.”

Pam smiled. “I doubt that. You seem to be a perfectly wonderful daughter.”

Zoe appreciated the compliment, even though she wasn’t sure she deserved it. “I have my flaws. He could tell you all about them.”

“I’m sure he will,” she said, her voice teasing. “I’m seeing him for dinner tonight.”

Zoe did her best to keep her mouth from hanging open. “What? I’m mean, oh, wow. I didn’t know you were dating.” Pam and her dad? Not that Pam wasn’t great, but Miguel tended to favor younger women. Although, as he’d pointed out, he hadn’t done that in a while.

“Dating?” Pam laughed. “We’re not. I can assure you of that. Dating. I don’t date. He wants to talk to me about something.” Her smile turned impish. “Do you have a birthday coming up? Want me to drop any hints?”

“No birthdays anytime soon.”

Miguel wanted to have dinner with Pam? That was unexpected. Maybe he was looking for female friendship. Pam was funny and nice. Occasionally intense, but not in a bad way.

“You’ll have to tell me how it goes,” she said.

“Promise. Now about why you stopped by... I’ve been thinking.”

Zoe had called Pam a couple of days ago and asked if they could talk about her future. She was feeling a bit at sea these days.

“Me, too,” Zoe said. “You go first.”

“Your job pays the bills and that’s important. So quitting isn’t an option. Am I right?”

Zoe continued to stroke Lulu and nodded.

“But your work isn’t exactly full-time, so you have time to explore other things. I would suggest you start to think about what else you can do to feel more fulfilled in the short term while you explore your long-term options.”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Zoe admitted. “I was assuming I had to know what to do next. But you’re right—I don’t.”

Pam picked up a pad of paper from the end table. “I did some brainstorming. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not.”

“Short term. You liked certain aspects of teaching but not others. So you don’t know if you want to go back or not. Right?”

Zoe nodded.

“What about substitute teaching? You would certainly qualify. You can work a few days a week or a month without making a big commitment. That way you can decide if you really miss it or if you’re remembering wrong.”

“I never thought of substitute teaching.” The idea was appealing. No yearlong commitment and she could try different grades. Maybe see if she had more interest in older or younger kids. “I like that.”

“Good. We’re just getting started. What about grad school? Is there a subject that interests you? You could audit a few classes at the undergraduate level to help you decide a direction.” She glanced down at the paper. “There are online tests to help you determine your interests and give career options. I think taking a few of those would be good for you. Maybe you want to write a book or volunteer or work in your father’s company.”

They talked for the next hour. Zoe had to put Lulu on the cushion next to her so she could take notes. She knew that Pam worked with women entrepreneurs, but she’d had no idea her friend was so good at brainstorming. By the time Pam had gone through her list, Zoe had filled several pages with ideas and things to research.

“Thank you for this,” she said earnestly. “You’ve given me so much to think about.”

“I’m glad. This was fun for me. You’re the one who has to do the hard work.”

“It will be fun,” Zoe told her. “I’m really excited to get started.” There were dozens of suggestions she never would have come up with on her own. “I appreciate all your time.”

“My pleasure. I’m glad you asked when you did. I’m going to be out of town for a long weekend with my girlfriends and I wanted to make sure we talked before then.”

“Where are you going?”

“Phoenix. These are the women I cruise with. We’re meeting on land this time.” Pam grinned. “I’m not sure how that is going to go.”

“You’re so busy. Your work at Moving Women Forward, your travel friends, your life here.” Zoe felt boring by comparison.

“Babysitting,” Pam added, “although not when Jen and I aren’t speaking.” She sighed. “I should call her. Despite everything, I miss her and I need to see my grandson.”

Zoe put down her notepad. “Do you think there’s something wrong with Jack?”

“No. He’s fine. He’ll talk when he’s ready.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m the only one Jen trusts to look after Jack. He’s adorable, but she makes it so hard. You wouldn’t believe the rules she has. He’s on a very rigid schedule, there are food restrictions. I can only run the dishwasher at certain times because of the soap.”

“I don’t understand.”

Pam sighed. “She worries about the soap she uses in the dishwasher, so it can only run after he’s in bed at night. Soap is huge in her life. Once I used the wrong detergent in the washer and she was furious.”

“I don’t think I’m ready for motherhood.”

“Trust me—it doesn’t have to be that complicated. I love my daughter, but honestly, she needs to take a chill pill.” Pam frowned. “No one says that anymore, do they?”

“Not really.”

“I’m old. I’ve embraced it.”

Zoe rose. “Thank you again for everything. I have so much to think about.”

“I’m glad I could help. Let me know what you decide.”

“I will. I promise.”

*