Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
She treated him to a brittle smile. “I’ll let Leah know.”
“It’s not all about Leah,” he said in a serious tone. “Have a good week. You’ll be hearing from me.” Knowing she needed space, he opened the door and forced himself to walk out.
Chapter Five
Nick’s few days away had turned into almost two weeks. The time had dragged by, and though Aurora hated to admit it, she’d missed him. With the time difference, as well as the long meetings he’d been in, and dinners he’d had to attend, it had been hard for them to touch base very often, or have any kind of meaningful conversation when they did. Aurora took it as a sign—this was how things would be if she ever tried to have a real relationship with him.
As for Leah, Nick called during dinner so he could talk to her every day. Although he made the effort for Leah, Aurora felt like an afterthought. She ought to be used to feeling that way—she’d endured enough broken promises in her life. And really, all that mattered was that he be there for his daughter. Every little girl deserved for her parents to care. Aurora might have been young, but she vividly remembered her mother dropping her off at her grandmother’s house—for good. Her mother had promised to visit, but she never had.
When Aurora’s grandmother died and her mother never reappeared, she’d put aside any fantasies she’d held of ever seeing her mother again. Every foster parent had assured her she’d have a place to stay, but too often that hadn’t been the case. Either the kids already living in the house hadn’t wanted her there and picked fights so the frustrated parents gave up and asked to have Aurora re-homed, or she was sent away for some other bullshit reason.
Aurora’s daughter deserved more than someone who’d be in and out of her life, calling himself daddy. Though phone calls were a poor substitute for Nick’s presence, at least he’d kept his promises to their daughter. As for Aurora, it was better she saw now how things with Nick would be, before she’d let her heart get involved. Leah’s party was in a few days and she hoped Nick showed up as promised.
On the Thursday before the party, Aurora walked into FFT’s office and found Billie at her desk, pouring over spreadsheets.
“Good morning!” Aurora stopped and dropped her bag onto a nearby chair. “How goes it?” she asked the pretty girl with pink hair and black framed glasses.
Billie slid her chair back and smiled. “Pretty good! You know how we discussed the fact that so many of the kids we’re able to get jobs end up being fired due to lack of experience or whatever other situation they’re dealing with?”
Aurora nodded, lowering herself into the other chair. “It’s definitely been an issue.”
“Well, as you suggested, I did some research. There’s a charity in Texas who had the same issues. So they decided to open a café—one that hired kids who were still in the system, allowing them to train ahead of time.”
“I remember seeing something about that café on a news show.” Aurora leaned forward in her seat. “Tell me more about it.”
Billie glanced at the computer and scrolled down the screen. “La La Land Café has an eight-week internship where the kids learn life skills. They’re mentored, so they have someone to support them, and they’re taught customer service, as well as other on-the-job training. The only issue is that not everyone wants to work in the service industry.” Billie glanced at Aurora. “So they created an outreach program to encourage other businesses to do the same thing. This gives the kids a better chance of succeeding in the real world.” Billie’s light blue eyes gleamed with excitement.
Aurora mulled over the explanation and how it could apply to what FFT already had in place. “You’re suggesting we set up something similar, find businesses where skills can be learned before the kids get into the world after foster care.”
Billie pointed a pen at her and grinned. “Bingo.”
“So we’d have to reach out to schools in order to find applicable kids.”
Billie nodded. “That’s what I’ve been doing. Creating a list of schools, contacts, and businesses in each area.”
“That’s great. Brilliant idea, Billie!” Aurora had been so lucky that Billie had answered her employment ad two years ago. The young woman was currently twenty-two years old, and had a smart, go-getter personality. She was a huge asset to FFT, and Aurora knew it. “I’ll run it by the board and see if there are any employers we currently work with, who might want to participate.”
Billie beamed at Aurora’s acceptance of her idea. Her board consisted of herself, Sasha, Cassidy and a couple of benefactors her brother Linc had vouched for when Aurora had created her charity.