Page 83 of Finding My Charming

“No. She didn’t.”

“Yeah, I live there during the year and work at the restaurant during the summers.”

“Huh.”

I wanted to get ahold of Sherrie and demand answers, but I pretended to be cool with the news and move on.

He nodded and took another bite, so I took that as my cue to keep going.

“And that meltdown I mentioned earlier? I realized I don’t want to study law. It’s been what I’ve planned on my whole life, but with college becoming more and more real I knew I had to say something before it was too late. I don’t want to wake up after years of school, miserable because I didn’t want to disappoint my dad.”

“How did he take it?”

I shrugged. “We haven’t really talked about it, but I know he’ll be supportive of whatever I want to do.”

“Which is?”

“That’s a great question.” I laughed to myself and continued eating. I would need to figure that out pretty soon.

“What interests you?”

“Is this your question of the day?”

He smirked. “No.”

I thought about the question for a moment and shrugged. “I really want to help people.”

“Lawyers do that.”

“I know, but when I’m at work and look around, I know that I don’t want that forever.”

“At least you’re honest with yourself. Keep going. You want to help people and…”

“I really like kids.”

“Why don’t you represent children? I’ve heard it’s really hard for foster children to have good representation.”

I’d heard that too, and that was why I wanted to help children. It was not fair that those who couldn’t represent themselves were at the mercy of people who didn’t really care.

“I was thinking about being a social worker.”

He smiled, and it lit up his eyes. “I could see that. I know we don’t know each other all that well, but—”

“Sometimes it feels like it.”

He seemed just as surprised as I was with my sudden admission.

“Yeah. It does.” He looked down for a second, and with a single shake of his head, he looked back at me. “You’re very smart, and I can tell how much you care about people. You’re a natural in your job. I truly think you’re the type of person who would be successful in whatever you chose to pursue, but I think you have it inside to do something. Not just a job that helps people, but a true advocate for change.”

I stared at him in disbelief. He really thought of me like that? He made me sound like a superhero. Little did he know I was anything but. The thought of admitting to my dad I didn’t want to follow after him was terrifying, and it had taken months for me to work up the courage.

“Dallin.”

His hand grazed mine, seeming to test the waters before he captured my fingers between his. “Elise, I know this time of your life is hectic, and everything seems to be spinning out of your control, but you’re not alone. Your life is about to completely change. Soon you’re going to be on your own, and for the first time in your life, you’ll have the chance to be whoever you want to be without the influence of another person. I know it’s scary. I was where you are just a few years ago, but I promise you. You can do it, but if you can’t be brave right now, let me be brave for you.”

“You would do that for me?”

His eyes held mine, and his expression was somber.