Free A Matter of Trust by LazyDay Publishing Page A

for
tutoring with four teachers coming in to assist.”
    “ Thank God you’re more
organized than I am. I couldn’t function, much less make a profit
without you, Di. Thanks.”
    “ Please, you’re the most
organized, hard working person I know. I’ve prepared half a dozen
folders for you to take with you to your meeting highlighting our
services. I’ll have them ready for you, so you can grab them on
your way out. Why don’t you go review your presentation? You have a
good hour before you have to leave.”
    “ I’ll do that. Thanks
again, Di. Everything okay with you? You look a little
tired.”
    Diana looked away from her, but Trish
was so preoccupied, she didn’t notice. “Everything is fine,
thanks.”
    By the end of the day, Trish should’ve
been feeling ecstatic. She’d signed a contract with the Ysleta
school district to present literacy training for all their new
teachers later in the month, and she’d signed three more students
up for reading interventions and tutoring. It had been an eventful
and profitable day. So, why did she feel so rotten?
    Calling herself all kinds of coward,
she called Eva and asked her if she wanted to meet her for dinner.
After asking Eva to call Callie and see if she wanted to join them,
they agreed to meet at seven at a Mexican restaurant close by. Dare
she hope that Jake would eventually get bored and leave when she
didn’t show up? Probably not, but she’d hope anyway. What the hell,
anything was possible.
    Trish went directly from the Lit
Center to the restaurant, staying late at work trying to catch up
on some things. Eva and Callie were waiting for her in the lobby,
and when they were seated, everyone got quiet, Callie and Eva
sneaking peeks at Trish over their menus. The waitress took their
order, and they munched on chips and salsa while they waited for
their food.
    “ We had a good day today,
ladies. I signed our first professional development contract and
continue to sign up new testing and tutoring sessions. We’re
growing.”
    “ Super, Trish,” Callie
answered. “Most businesses don’t see a profit for the first couple
of years, and you’re already there.”
    Trish offered a tentative smile.
“We’re already there, partners. Not much of a profit yet, but
headed in that direction.”
    Eva chimed in asking, “So, if we had
such a great day, why do you seem so down?”
    “ I’m not down. I’m …
miserable.” Trish dabbed impatiently at the tears in her eyes. Both
her friends reached for her at the same time.
    “ What’s the matter, Trish?
Tell us all about, so we can solve it and you can conquer and move
on.” Callie looked at her friend and tried to encourage
her.
    “ Oh, Callie, I wish it was
that easy. Last night, Jake and I … we …”
    “ Oh shit, you did the
deed? Wow, this is huge. So, was it awful? Why are you so unhappy?”
Callie looked obviously puzzled as to why getting together with
Jake was a negative.
    “ It was fantastic. The
best sex I’ve ever had. My God, he was … great. I mean, he was
spectacular. I’ve never felt that way before, not even with Pete.”
Trish used the menu to fan herself.
    “ So, what’s the problem?”
Both women waited for her to answer Callie’s question.
    “ Seeing things in the
light of day is the problem. I can’t believe we actually, you know.
I mean I’ve got the kids to think about and the Lit Center. I don’t
have time for anything other than a one night stand, and he wants
more.”
    Callie grinned. “Well, isn’t this a
switch? First of all, I’m not sure what having kids and a career
has to do with having a relationship with someone. I mean, Jake
loves your kids, and he certainly knows what it’s like to run your
own business. I can’t imagine he wouldn’t understand on either
count.”
    “ That’s not the problem. I
just don’t want to be involved with anyone. Ever.” Trish wondered
if she looked as miserable as she felt.
    “ So, this isn’t about Jake
as much as it’s