How I’d pull it off, I still had no idea.

AVA

A couple of days later, I’d returned home and was once again at Simon’s school. Of course, I was no closer to adopting Simon than the last time Mrs. Marberry and I spoke. I had no plan, other than to just see if there was some way I could appeal to her kindness.

After she invited me into her office, I took a seat in the same antique chair I had a couple of weeks before. With clammy hands and damp armpits to match, I did my best to mask my state of mind and smiled at Mrs. Marberry before I spoke.

“Thank you for taking time to see me again, Mrs. Marberry. I really appreciate it.”

A polite smile spread across her face.

Nodding, she replied, “Of course, Ms. Walters. I take it you have some news for me?”

There was no sense in pretending. I looked away from her for a moment, shaking my head.

“No, I’m afraid I don’t.”

I turned back in her direction. She raised her eyebrows and leaned back in her chair a bit.

“Ms. Walters, I believe I made the school’s position clear on this issue. This has nothing to do with Simon. It’s just a matter of policy.”

“Yes, Mrs. Marberry. I understand your position. All I’m asking for is that the school at least consider accepting him. I can pay.”

Mrs. Marberry shook her head. “Ms. Walters, I don’t mean to be rude but there is a long waiting list of people who are more than capable of paying. We want the very best students. This is not an issue of money.”

I sat forward in the chair, interlocking my fingers and placing them in my lap. “But you told me yourself Simon is one of your best students. If what you’re telling me is true, I don’t understand why you won’t allow him to attend?”

Mrs. Marberry thinned her lips. Frustration began to show in her expression as I looked at her. It wasn’t the outcome I wanted but at this point, I almost didn’t care.

“Ms. Walters. I believe we have reached an impasse on this issue. I’ve explained to you that if you are able to show proof you have adopted Simon, we will gladly accept him. But short of that, there’s nothing I can do for you.”

I exhaled and lowered my head but didn’t speak.

“Now unless there’s something else you need to tell me, I’m afraid that I’ve got to end our discussion at this point. I hope that you…”

While she was in the midst of her sentence, my cell phone began to ring and vibrate in my purse.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry about that.” I began, reaching in my purse for it.

I glanced up at her. She didn’t respond but instead forced a polite smile.

Pulling the phone out, I looked at the screen to see Dieter’s name flashing. I had no idea why he would be calling me, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Still, I had no choice but to take it.

“Do you mind?” I asked, glancing at her.

Mrs. Marberry shook her head and gestured towards her office door. “Please take it in the lobby.”

I got up from the chair as fast as I could, nodded at her and headed towards the door. Swiping the phone on, I answered. “Dieter? Is everything okay?”

“Yes Ava, good to speak with you.”

By now, I’d reached the lobby outside of Mrs. Marberry’s office. “Thank you. Is something wrong? Did something happen with Dyson?”

“Dyson? No, this phone call is not about Dyson.”

I stopped in place, and tugged a strand of hair behind my ear, focusing on his words. “Um, okay. Well, what’s this about?”

“It’s about Dr. Luca.”

I frowned. “Dr. Luca? What about him?”

Over the next minute or so, Dieter explained to me Dr. Luca’s passport issues were resolved ahead of schedule. In fact, he was going to be able to rejoin the team for the final race in New York.

“So,” Dieter began. “Obviously with the return of Dr. Luca, your services will no longer be needed by the team. Of course, you will be paid for your time until now.”

I stood there in shock.

Of course, I hadn’t expected to work for the team for much longer, but if I’d been able to finish out the remaining race, I would have almost had enough to cover two years of Simon’s tuition.

Not that it mattered.

Dieter took notice of my pause. “Do you understand, Ava?”

“Yes, Dieter, I do.”

“I hope this news is not too difficult for you. We’ve enjoyed having you travel with the team. You’re exceptional at what you do, and I know you’ve got a bright future ahead of you.”

And even though it was upsetting, I felt gratitude towards him for giving me the job in the first place, not to mention the kind words.

“Thank you, Dieter. I’ll be fine.”

Dieter remained silent for a moment. “Very well. I’ll see to it that the last of your payment is sent to you right away.”

I thanked him again, and a few moments later we hung up. I glanced back towards Mrs. Marberry’s office. She sat at her desk, by the looks of it, doing paperwork.

Was it even worth going back in there and talking to her?

I slipped my phone back inside of my purse. After repositioning the strap over my shoulder, I chewed my lip, trying to decide what to do next. Just then, another thought occurred to me.

Now that I was off the team, would I ever hear from Dyson again? The way we left things, I doubted it. And besides, after the way he’d been acting I wasn’t sure I even wanted that anymore. Maybe he was better off with the Anastasias and Svetlanas of the world.

I wasn’t a Grid Girl, and I never would be.

AVA

I turned in the direction of Mrs. Marberry’s office and began to walk towards it. Even though it looked like Simon wouldn’t be attending the school anymore, I didn’t see any reason to leave things in a bad way between us.

I knocked on the door.

Mrs. Marberry stopped what she was doing and looked up at me. “Ms. Walters… I hope everything is okay?”

“What?” I replied, confused by what she meant.

“Your phone call. I trust it was nothing urgent.”

I shook my head. “Oh that. Yes, everything is fine. I apologize for the interruption, but I had to take it.”

Mrs. Marberry smiled at me. “No need to apologize.”

I stood there in the doorway.

“Was there something else you wanted to discuss with me, Ms. Walters?”

“No. I just want to be absolutely sure that there’s nothing that can be done for Simon. I’m willing to do anything.”

Shaking her head, Mrs. Marberry replied, “I wish there were, I really do. But, as I’ve explained, I’m afraid there isn’t. As much as we enjoy having Simon as a student, this simply comes down to a matter of policy. And unfortunately, my hands are tied.”

Exhaling, I approached Mrs. Marberry’s desk, extending my hand in her direction.

“I want to thank you again for taking time to talk to me today. I know you’re very busy.”

Mrs. Marberry stood from her chair and took my hand in hers. “You’re more than welcome, Ms. Walters. Of course, I’m hopeful you’ll be able to work with the state and finalize the adoption of Simon. You’ve still got a bit of time before the enrollment deadline.”

“Yes, I know,” I said, releasing my hand from her grasp. “But I’m not optimistic about it.”

Mrs. Marberry smiled and came around the desk. A few moments later we said our goodbyes, and I left her office. Making my way back to my car, I couldn’t believe how badly things turned out. I had no choice now but to give Simon the bad news. How would I break it to him?

There was no doubt in my mind he’d be devastated. Crossing the parking lot towards my car, sadness crept to the back of my throat.

Poor Simon.

All I’d ever wanted was the best for him and I’d failed. I covered my mouth, trying my best to not begin bawling outside the school. Yet, the pressure had built so much in the past few weeks, I couldn’t hold back my frustration any longer. Reaching my car, I felt my face wrinkle with ugliness.