Episode 1033: Blue Ain't Your Color

“I’m so glad you like it, there’s a grapefruit juice, too,” Enid said, holding aloft her bottle. “There’s another in the fridge, you could grab it and sit down for a few minutes. There’s a new app I’ve been dying to show-”

“Maybe next time, okay? I promised that poodle mix, Chantal, that next time I was here we’d do a whole pampering thing, I don’t want to let her down, but thank you for the cupcake, it’s the best.”

“But-”

“I really have to go, sorry. Send me a link to the app.”

“Okay,” Enid quickly whispered as Tansy flew out the door and June, the elderly woman who managed the shelter walked into the break-room.

The expression on June’s face, the sympathy in her gentle smile told Enid that not only had she caught most of Tansy giving Enid the brush off, she understood just how much hope Enid had baked into those cupcakes.

“Hey, kiddo.” June squeezed Enid’s shoulder on her way by. “Mind if I join you?” She pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “I need to get off my feet for a few minutes. There was a lot on my plate today. It feels even later in the day than it is.”

“Have a cupcake if you want,” Enid suggested. “They’re strawberry with coconut frosting. My mom and I baked them last night.”

“Best offer I’ve had all day, don’t mind if I do.” June reached for a cupcake as she settled at the table with a cold bottle of water. “I’m guessing the day is suddenly feeling long for you, too, after you went to all that trouble with the cupcakes and it didn’t work out the way you’d hoped.”

“She liked it and now you get to have a nice treat on your break, too, so it’s okay,” Enid said.

“It’s not okay that you’re miserable all the time trying to get her attention. I know Tansy is a wonderful girl, you were great friends and veering towards something else maybe. It’s tough to let all that go, but sweetheart until she’s meeting you halfway, until she’s reaching out to you, too, maybe it’s best if you stop trying so hard. If you’re half as crestfallen on the inside as you are on the outside, I can’t imagine you’re feeling too good right now. I know you were excited to have her back here but the child clearly still needs her space, it’s best for both of you I think if you give her that.”

“But-”

“I’m not saying to stop volunteering here and saying hello and being friendly to her, just don’t put expectations like this on it, don’t set yourself up for so much disappointment. If she comes around to you on her own, fantastic, but waiting around for her like this, it’s hurting you, Enid. I can see that it is. When was the last time you spent time with another friend or looked twice at another girl? Maybe you need to let things go with Tansy for now, if it’s meant to be it will be.”

Episode 1034: Wonderland