Her Second-Chance Family

Audrey thought Willow’s face softened a bit as she asked the question. For a brief moment, she wondered if that was sympathy in the girl’s expression. Or maybe even empathy.

Willow had never cried out in her sleep, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have bad dreams. She’d spent years in foster care, but before that her home life had given her enough fodder for nightmares for the rest of her life.

“Yeah. It doesn’t happen as often as it used to, but likely it’ll never stop completely.” The only people who could fully understand were Merrill and Ava.

After that night, they’d all tried to get their friendship back on track, but everything had changed. Ava and Merrill could never understand her connection with Clinton. He made them uncomfortable. But her need to balance her karma, she’d never found a better way to put it, won out, as far as she was concerned.

She’d inadvertently been part of something truly harmful, so she felt she needed to make amends.

But no matter how much she did, no matter how many ways she tried to leave a positive mark on the world, it never felt like enough.

“Yeah, well, sorry about the nightmare,” Willow said. “But really, you gotta keep it down in the morning.” And with that, she stalked off down the hall. A moment later she looked back at Audrey. “I’ve got to go and mow today.”

Audrey couldn’t help but feel encouraged that Willow remembered on her own. “Do you have everything you need?”

“Yeah. I texted him back last night and reminded him I was coming so he could batten down the hatches ’cause his burglar was coming over.”

Batten down the hatches? That was an odd phrase for a young girl to use. It was strange, like so many other things about Willow.

Her newest foster daughter turned into her room, slamming the door behind her.

Sooner or later, Audrey would figure Willow out. But not today.

Today, she needed to get to the office.

* * *

TWO HOURS LATER, the kids were at Maggie May’s and Audrey sat across from Abe Lebowitz in his office. Not the main office where he met clients, but his private space, which was cluttered with models, books and a chair that would look more at home in a junkyard than an office.

Mr. Lebowitz said he needed clutter in order to think and be inspired. If that was so, he must be the most inspired man in history, Audrey thought.

And she loved it.

“...so that’s yes,” he said.

“Yes?” Audrey repeated, halfway between a question and a squeal. “Yes? We’ve got the project?”

Abe Lebowitz smiled, the lines of his face crinkling. Audrey knew they came from a lifetime of laughter.

“They approved the project and it’s ours,” he assured her. “And while the firm was awarded the project, I want you to know that I realize why. You pushed for this. You did the work. This project wouldn’t have been on my radar without you.”

“I think we can really raise awareness, Mr. Lebowitz. The Lake Erie region is such a unique environment and we need to protect it. We have TREC on the peninsula, and LEAF on the west side. The Greenhouse in the center of the city will give our inner-city students a chance...”

Mr. Lebowitz held up his hand.

Audrey stopped short. “Sorry,” she said ruefully.

He smiled again. “That enthusiasm is why I hired you. Don’t ever lose it.”

And then it was straight back to business as he outlined her responsibilities. “...and you’ll be coordinating with Marcia James, who works for the mayor, and Ms. Wilkins, who’s with the school district. They love your designs, but as you know a big part of this project is working with the school district and trying to incorporate some of the kids’ suggestions into the project. This is going to be a long-term commitment on your part. This summer is your golden time. We know we have the project, but the real work won’t start until school begins in September. You’re going to need to coordinate with the school district and the contractors and still manage your work here.”

“I can do it. So much of the project can involve my own kids. I don’t think it’s going to take away from family time.” It would require a lot of juggling, but Audrey would make it work. Somehow she always made it work. “Thank you so much for the opportunity, Mr. Lebowitz.”

He took her hand in his and patted it. “You’re an asset, Audrey. Back when I started the firm, I didn’t worry about sustainability. Frankly, it wasn’t something I thought about much at all until I hired you. Now, I incorporate so many of your ideas into projects. Your passion is contagious.”

“Willow says I’m trying to save the world one compost pile at a time whenever I make her take the kitchen scraps out, but really, I’m trying to save it one house at a time. One geothermal heating unit at a time. One thermal mass wall at a time.” She laughed, not because anything she said was funny but because she was happy and excited. She’d worked so hard on the Greenhouse.

Willow had scoffed at the idea of all the time the project would take. All the work without any financial return. She’d said it didn’t make sense. But Audrey knew that the returns would be so much more lasting than money.

“Your kids are on board with this?” Mr. Lebowitz asked.

She nodded. “They’re behind me. To be honest, Clinton and Bea will be almost as excited as I am.”

“And your new girl? Willow?” Mr. Lebowitz asked.

“She’ll come around. I caught her throwing a banana peel in the compost bucket on her own the other day. And she did go see that Mr. Williams about mowing his lawn. Those are positive steps. She’s heading over to his house this afternoon for the first time.”

She didn’t say it out loud, but she couldn’t help but remember Willow’s concern that morning about her nightmare. “Yes, she’ll come around,” Audrey said with certainty.

“I’m glad. Maybe I could take the kids out on a field trip of sorts this summer? I haven’t been to Fallingwater in so long. That’s a shame, since it’s only three hours away.”

Audrey had gone to the famous Frank Lloyd Wright house as a student, but hadn’t been back since. Mr. Lebowitz was right; that was a shame. “I’ve never taken the kids there. I’m sure Bea and Clinton would enjoy it.”

“And do you think we can talk Willow into coming with us?” he asked.

“We can try.” That was her mantra with Willow. I can try.

Mr. Lebowitz nodded. “Maybe I’ll ask Maggie May, too,” he said a little too nonchalantly.

His suggestion caught Audrey unaware, but she didn’t tease or prod him.

She did, however, decide to try to find reasons to throw the two of them together this summer.

Wouldn’t it be nice if two of her favorite people in the world got together?

Maggie had said she was dating someone, but it couldn’t be serious yet. Audrey wasn’t sure why she hadn’t thought of it before. Mr. Lebowitz and Maggie.

She almost laughed at herself. Playing Cupid wasn’t in her nature.

“I’m sure Maggie would love a day out.” But what if Maggie had already fallen for the new man? “I mean, I think there’s a chance she’s been going out with someone recently.”

“I’m not afraid of a little competition,” he said. “I like a challenge.”

“I just wouldn’t want to see you get hurt,” she said.

“Audrey, honey, you know you’re more than an employee to me, right?”

She nodded.