Free What Would Oprah Do by Erin Emerson

sorry,” she started. “I’ve been here since five this morning, and I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
    I started to say it was okay, but I read that people treat you based on how you allow yourself to be treated. Now I’m trying to pay close attention to make sure that I’m sending out the right signals. So I said, “Apology accepted .” instead.
    “My mom is a gardener, I use some of her flowers here, and she needs some part-time help too. I think it’s only 2 days a week, but if you want I can give her your information.” Hoping that her earlier behavior wasn’t indicative of her mother’s disposition, I said I would like that. Who knows, with an actual gardener this could be even better. My collage was working out already, so there was even more of a reason to have drinks with Jill.
    Betty’s mother must have really needed help because she called while we were out. I didn’t pick up since I didn’t recognize the number. Her voicemail was short and said to come by anytime tomorrow before two o’clock, and she gave an address.
    I told Jill about my progress, that I was starting tomorrow as a volunteer at the animal rescue center, and possibly going to have a part-time job. “Well, it’s good for you to get out of the house, and I have good news too! Drinks are on me, I’m getting a promotion!”
    “That’s great. I didn’t know you were up for one.”
    “I didn’t think it would go through, so I wasn’t going to mention it.”
    “Why not? Just because I got laid off, you don’t have to hide your successes. I’m happy for you.”
    Jill was so gracious about her promotion, I tried to enjoy it for her. Mostly I felt like a mooch of a best friend, like I should be capable of buying the celebratory drinks.
     
    The next morning I hurried to the Golden Retriever Animal Rescue to start my first day as a volunteer. I was dressed in my Nike tennis shoes and a warm-up suit, ready to walk dogs. When I got there, I was surprised that I didn’t see any dogs. A peppy woman named Alexis greeted me and showed me to a back office. “Make yourself at home.” She said. “I started the rescue a few years ago. My husband Bill and I started it together, but now that he travels a lot for work, I’m running it by myself. It has grown into a full operation, so I need to get things more organized.” She was enviably thin in Seven jeans and a pressed button-down shirt, with shoulder length blonde hair that was undoubtedly the product of a pricey salon. I couldn’t help but notice the enormous diamond on her wedding ring. It had to be three carats.
    “Where are the dogs?” I asked.
    “They’re in the kennel. This is the office, which is where you’ll be. As soon as we get your waiver signed, we’ll get you started.” She handed me a pen and piece of paper.
    “You rescue them, and put them in a kennel?”
    Alexis laughed, “Oh no, it’s our kennel. That’s where we put the dogs that haven’t found foster homes yet, which is where you come in!” She motioned to an enormous stack of papers. “There’s the paperwork for our foster families. We’re trying to create a computer database, so it will be easier to keep track of them and make matches. Can I get you a cup of coffee or something? Or are you ready to dive in?” The door opened behind her, and a guy walked in, ruggedly handsome with a strong jaw and wearing a fitted shirt over an athletic build. He could have been straight out of the Eddie Bauer catalogue. “This is Todd.” Alexis said. He lifted his chin in my direction, as he set something on the table and walked back out. “He helps out at the kennel.”
    I shifted my weight on my heavily cushioned tennis shoes, and tried to conceal my disappointment. “Um, when do I get to see the dogs, you know play with them or walk them?”
    Alexis turned the smile down a notch, but I still noticed how white her teeth were. “You said on your application that you wanted to help out in any way.