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“Yeah, I figured I could afford it since the snow is alreadyand they don’t expect another blizzard like that this year,” I said “I only run it a little, though Still conserving energy”

“It’s nice The sound, Idown “Oh, I left the book in here Sorry about that”

“It’s fine I was thinking of ain”

It was a lie, but I didn’t need to tell her that I just didn’t want her to move it

“Cool So, again, I auess”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said “I was just glad I could help How did your interview go?”

“I got the job,” she said excitedly I felt e Why did I care so much?

“That’s great,” I said

“It is It isn’t in my field, but it’ll do for now”

“What field is that again?” I asked “I don’t think we discussed it at th”

“Social work,” she said “I had to go to school for a long time for it, and I had a career back home in New York”

“Why did you move here, then?” I asked “You see around people Why come to Ashford, Tennessee, of all places?”

She paused for a ure out why herself Then she shtfully before answering A few crumbs tumbled down to the cushions, and she didn’t notice I found it strange that I didn’t particularly care I’d deal with that later

“New York City is an areat But it can get overwhelot overwhelo somewhere smaller and quieter In New York, I felt like I was constantly putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound But here, I could e that would alter the course of a generation or more of people”

I nodded

“That’s very noble of you,” I said

She blushed and bit down on her cookie again