Again, But Better(112)

A smile spreads across her face. “I love the direction you’re taking with this. You’re on for the article! I think we’re going to use this to kick off a series, gathering pieces from people studying abroad all over the world. I’m going to put together some notes, and I’ll call you in for a meeting to discuss everything soon.”

My hands jump to my cheeks in astonishment. “Wendy, oh my goodness, I’m so excited. Thank you! This means so much to me!”

I blast Avril Lavigne’s “new” album through my iPod and dance down the sidewalk on my way home.



* * *



Wendy pulls me into her office Wednesday afternoon, and we go through my piece together, point by point. She tells me what she likes and gives me notes on how I can improve it.

Wednesday night, I brainstorm Wendy’s notes. Thursday morning, I type up a second draft on the white MacBook at work, and Thursday afternoon, Donna goes through it with me before I turn it in to Wendy again. Donna is great! She’s really funny, easy to talk to, and endlessly generous with her time.



* * *



Thursday night, I check in with Leo.

Shane

Hey, how’s it going?

Leo

Figuring it out.

Shane

…?




He doesn’t say anything else.



* * *



Babe and I go to Dublin over the weekend, and while we’re there, I open up to her about everything: Pilot, his girlfriend, the internship going wrong, my parents—everything but the time travel. She shares some of her own family issues in return. She has an older brother who’s dealing with some alcohol issues, and it’s taking a toll on her parents. I’ve heard bits and pieces about this over the years, but never in as much detail as she shared this weekend. I’m sad I was too caught up in my own drama during London: Take One to have been someone she could talk to about it.

It feels great to chat so candidly with her. It’s almost like having 2017 Babe here with me.

When we get back Sunday night, I write up a post in Horcrux Ten (Nine overflowed) and borrow Babe’s computer to type up and publish: “American Girls Do Dublin.”



* * *



On Wednesday, March 16, I come into work and find the white MacBook already powered up at my station. When I get close enough, I see that Safari’s open to an article on the Packed! site. I drop my purse when I read the headline.

The Top 25 Things to Cram into Your London Study Abroad Experience … Before You Go Bankrupt

by Shane Primaveri




“Tracey, this is my piece!” I yelp toward the front desk.

She smiles at me. “It is.”

“It’s up?” I squeak. “Wendy said … she didn’t say when it would be—”

“It’s up. Surprise! Congratulations!” she cheers.

“Congratulations, Shane!” Donna shouts from across the room.

“Congratulations!” Jamie, George, Declan, and Janet all echo after her. Wendy’s door is open, and she emerges from her office to lean against the doorframe in a sleek, teal power suit.

I watch her, still frozen with delight, by my table.

“Good morning, Shane!” Wendy greets. “Congratulations on being our first intern to get a piece published in Packed!”

Donna whoops from her seat as Wendy strides over to me.

“Hey,” she says more quietly, “I’m really proud of you. We’re all taking you out to drinks later, so don’t make other plans.” She grins before walking back to her office.

I immediately email a link to Babe and Sahra. They both text me within minutes.

Sahra: Congratulations, Shane! This is so great! I know how hard you’ve been working on it.

Babe: YAYY!!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!! YOU DID IT!!!!!! (100 MORE EXCLAMATION POINTS) AHHHHHH!!!!! IT’S BEAUTIFUL! OH MYLANTA!

I can’t stop smiling.



* * *



Wendy, Donna, and Tracey take me out to their usual pub down the street. We sit around a high table near the bar. They all tell me how appreciative they are of all the little things I’ve been doing around the office, and I start to cry right there at the table.

“Darling!” I look up at Wendy with a sad smile. Her brown skin is glowing in the low light. “What’s wrong?” she asks.

“Nothing. I’m just really excited! And grateful.” I laugh-cry. “And really sad that this is all going to be over in a few weeks.”

“We’re all going to be sad to see you leave us!” Donna smiles.

“Especially me!” Tracey laughs. “I’m going to have to go back to working alone. I have so much more time now.”

“Who the hell’s going to anticipate my daily 3:00 p.m. caffeine needs? It’s been so long since I made my own tea, I barely remember how to use the kettle,” Donna teases.

“Seriously, Shane, we’ve never had such a hardworking, efficient intern. You’ve been brilliant.”

I huff a sad laugh. “I just hope I can find another job like this back in the US somewhere for the summer.”

“Have you started looking?” Tracey asks. My stomach drops. Back in 2017 I have those eight other residency interviews lined up for internal medicine. I haven’t been thinking long-term here.