He nodded at me. “Just like you, Aunt Ava.”

I smiled at him. “Everything will work out. You trust me, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Good,” I began, leaning over and kissing him on the forehead before leaning away once again.

“Now I need to go and talk to Aunt Jillian for a few minutes. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Simon nodded. I reached down and touched my fingertips to the side of his cheek.

“Good night, Simon, sweetheart. I love you.”

Simon looked up at me and smiled. “Good night, Aunt Ava. I love you too.”

After getting up and turning off the lights in his bedroom, I exited and made my way towards the kitchen. I came around the corner and noticed Jillian putting away dishes.

She turned her head in my direction. “How’s he feeling?”

I leaned against the kitchen counter, pressing my palm flat on the surface. “He seems to be doing a little better, but he’s still tired.”

Jillian smiled at me before bending over and grabbing a clean plate from the dishwasher. There was no easy way to talk to her about the offer I’d received, so I just decided to do it.

I cleared my throat, pausing for just a moment before I spoke. “I need to talk to you about something.”

Jillian reached up and slid the plate into the cupboard before turning to face me. “Okay, what’s up?”

Removing my hand from the countertop, I crossed my arms and nibbled on my lower lip.

“Uh oh,” she began. “This is serious, isn’t it?”

“Mmm hmm.”

She turned and faced me. “All right, come on. Out with it.”

I spent the next several minutes telling her about the offer I’d received from Dieter to travel with the team, including how much I was going to be paid and how long I’d probably be gone.

A huge smile came to her face. “That’s such great news! You must be thrilled.”

“I am,” I grumbled. “Sort of.”

“What do you mean? Why wouldn’t you be excited? With that kind of money, you can take care of Simon and maybe even get yourself back into school, and…”

I nodded, interrupting her. “I know, but I can’t do it alone.”

“What are you saying?” she asked, pausing for just a moment. “Oooh, you mean Simon? You don’t have to worry about that, Ava. I don’t mind taking care of him. Not one bit.”

I felt a lump gather in my throat. While I looked at my best friend, my vision blurred with the beginnings of tears.

“Oh honey,” she began, moving towards me for a hug. “Please don’t do that. You’re going to make me cry also.”

I nodded, wrapping my arms around her and embracing her. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

We hugged for a few more moments before separating.

“You don’t need to thank me for anything, Ava. I love Simon like he was my own family. And of course, you know I love you too.”

Even though I tried my best, several streaks of tears escaped from my eyes. Over the next minute or so, I managed to get myself under control. After I did, Jillian congratulated me once more before returning to finish with the dishes.

“So I suppose you’ll be spending more time with Dyson, won’t you?”

Dyson…

I furrowed my brow at the mention of his name. Taking notice of my silence, Jillian glanced at me. “What’s wrong? Did something happen with Dyson?”

I shook my head. “I’m not sure, but something he said made me feel uneasy.”

“That doesn’t sound good. What happened?”

“Well, after the race ended, we saw each other, and he asked me if I was going to accept the position.”

Jillian shrugged, frowning at the same time “So. What’s wrong with that?”

“I hadn’t told him about it yet. It was like he knew about it beforehand.”

Jillian’s head drifted backward. Her mouth opened a fraction. The realization dawned on her. “Ah, I see. What did you say to him?”

“You mean, did I confront him about it?”

“Yeah.”

“No. I didn’t.”

My friend leaned against the counter, pinching her chin between her thumb and forefinger. “Do you really think he was behind the whole thing?”

“Where Dyson is concerned,” I began, shaking my head. “Anything is possible.”

Jillian looked at me in silence for a moment or so. “Well, I suppose all you can do is keep your guard up. This opportunity is too important for you. You can handle Dyson Vix. You have no choice.”

Staring into her eyes, I nodded my head in agreement.

AVA

I hadn’t slept well.

Although I really had no choice but to accept the offer, I still struggled with the notion Dyson was somehow manipulating the situation to his benefit. Even so, I had to find a way to deal with him and not risk losing the money I’d receive from the job.

I moved through my work day that Monday mindlessly. With the deadline for my decision looming, I had to first tell Dr. Wilcox what I’d decided to do.

And so it was later that afternoon I knocked on the door to his office. He sat there behind his oversized oak desk, flanked on either side by stacks of patient paperwork.

Glancing up at me, he smiled.

“Ava, please come in.”

I smiled in return and walked inside his office. “Thank you.”

He watched me while I approached until I took a seat in a chair across from his desk. Dr. Wilcox had been in medicine for more than twenty years by the time I came to work for him. If there was ever someone I wanted to be like, emulate, should I ever actually graduate from medical school, it would be him. The wall and credenza behind him were filled with awards and plaques, all recognizing his exceptional ability. Equally important, if not more so though, he was a genuinely caring person.

I eased into the leather chair, crossing my legs at the knee.

Dr. Wilcox placed his pen down on top of his desk and looked at me. “I assume you’re here to tell me what you decided to do?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

He smiled and interlaced his fingers, placing them flat on the desk in front of him. “Well? Don’t keep me in suspense.”

I swallowed and moistened my lips for a split second. “Okay, um, so if you’re absolutely certain you don’t mind… I think I’m going to do it.”

“Ava, if you’ll recall, I’m the one who recommended you for the position. Why on Earth would I mind?”

I nodded my head. “Right, no, I know, it’s just…”

Dr. Wilcox leaned forward in his chair. The springs in the seat creaked. “Ava, I know how important this opportunity is for you. With the kind of money you’re going to make, I see no reason why you can’t be back in medical school in no time.”

I’d always been a private person around the office. Of course, everyone knew Simon and treated him like he was my son whenever he visited, but I never felt comfortable sharing the private struggles I had with him. And now, as I sat across from Dr. Wilcox, I regretted the decision. I knew that in his heart, Dr. Wilcox wanted me to return to medical school and finish my degree, almost as much as I did. If nothing else, I felt that I owed him the truth about what I intended to do with the money.

“I would love to return to school,” I began, placing my hand on my chest. “But I’ve got an even more important use for the money in mind.”

Dr. Wilcox frowned. “Oh?”

“Yes, it’s for my nephew, Simon.”

“I see,” he began, tilting his head to one side. “Is he all right? Is he having health problems?”

“What?” I shook my head and raised my palms towards him. “Oh no, it’s nothing like that. He’s fine. Well, his health is fine.”

“Um, okay.” he began. “Well I have to say that I’m a bit confused. If he’s not having any health issues, what would you be using the money for? I don’t mean to pry, Ava. Don’t feel as if you have to tell me.”

I shook my head. “I don’t mind. Really, I’d feel much better if you did know.”

Dr. Wilcox nodded and gestured for me to continue. I spent the next several minutes explaining the situation with Simon and his school. I told him about the incessant bullying he’d been subjected to when he was in public school and how the change to private education made all the difference for him. Lastly, I explained how we’d lost the money he needed to stay enrolled there.