Thankfully (sort of) Millie's visit did not warp time, so I was up at 6:17 Tuesday morning in time for work. Before I left, I scoured the apartment for anything that Barbara might get into. I was still nervous I may have missed something, so on the way out, I slipped the grad student next door some cash and my key, asking her to check on Barbara and let her out a couple times. Fingers crossed she wouldn't walk in on a shadow lounging in my living room.

Carol was over-the-top nice to me. She even asked to see pictures of Barbara. Of course I was happy to oblige and wasn't even bored when she reciprocated with stories about her cat. Ryan even came out of his office to see what all the laughing was about. Naturally, he couldn't help but whip out Mario pictures. If this kept up work might become downright enjoyable. I told them I was nervous about leaving Barbara alone all day and my arrangement with my neighbor. "I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to do it forever though. I'll need to figure out something else."

Ryan waved a hand in front of me as though washing an invisible windshield between us. "Marnie! Obviously! She'd be happy to do it. When she isn't in class she's always looking for an excuse to get out of her apartment. Her roommate drives her nuts."

"Why does she even have a roommate?" I blurted.

Ryan cocked his head at me. "She's only a student. She can't afford a place on her own." I nodded slowly. Maybe they didn't get the handouts I assumed they did.

"I'll ask her about it." Another plan was taking root in my brain, but it needed further nurturing before I brought it up.

It was hard to focus on work. My brain kept veering toward Thanksgiving and prison and cooking and postcards. I was entering an order (incorrectly) when my cell buzzed. Unknown number. Nervous it might be the neighbor with news on Barbara, I answered right away. "Nora! Hello!" There was a pause while I pulled the voice from my memory. "It's Tim," he said at the same time I said, "Hi Tim." He chuckled loudly. Too loudly. He was nervous.

"I was just calling to be sure we could set a place for you at Thanksgiving?"

"Yes, is that okay?"

"Of course! We are thrilled you can make it! The girls will be so happy. Gosh, it's been- what? A couple years I think, since we last saw you."

"Morgan's baptism, I think."

"Wow, too long. Well, we're looking forward to it. We're planning to eat around three. Does that work for you? Are you bringing anybody with you?" I leaned back in my chair and saw Ryan focused hard on his computer.

"No. Just me. Oh! Well. Do you think I could bring my dog?"

"You got a dog? Well, well! Yes, bring the dog. We could use a dog around here!"

"Thank you. And um, I was going to make some rolls?"

"Perfect! We don't have anybody signed up for rolls. That will be just perfect, Nora. We can't wait to see you."

"Thanks, Tim. I'll see you in a couple days."

We hung up. Tim's enthusiasm had always annoyed me, but I found myself reveling in it now. My dad's lack of enthusiasm had left me hurt and distant. So when my stepdad came along with his exclamation points and hand clapping excitement, I should have been delighted. Instead, it drove me crazy. What did I want from a father figure? Sometimes there was just no pleasing me. I made up my mind to give Tim a second chance. He loved my mom and my affection for him could ride the coattails of their love.

Millie would be happy. Challenge one was standing firmly on two feet, ready to be completed. And with a good attitude, I noted proudly. I may as well check off that second challenge too. I'd have to face my dad at some point. I may as well do it while he was still in prison and I could walk away if I needed to, with no chance of him following. I tapped my fingers on my keyboard. Then texted Abby, "Can I borrow your car to visit Dad this weekend?"

Immediate response, "Of course. Want company?"

"Nah. Thanks."

Two thumbs up emojis. I was eternally grateful she wasn't making a big deal out of this. Also, I found my thumbs were trembling. I was accountable now. I had to go.

"You sleeping here tonight, or what?" Ryan was bundled up and pointing at the clock.

"Oh! Time flies when you're having fun and placing orders," I smiled.

"I'll walk you home." Old Nora would have scoffed at how very presumptuous he was. She wasn't so far in the past that I didn't remember that scorn in a very distinct way. How exhausting, I thought. It was so much easier to just be thankful for the company. And Ryan was very good company. The walk home would have been laden with stress about visiting my dad, but with Ryan, we joked about Marnie's psychic abilities, Mario's obsession with toilet water, and the key to cracking Carol. "Fantasia! What a name for a cat!" I teased.

"Says the girl who named her dog, Barbara."

I stuck a finger in his face. "You helped me pick that name! And it suits her," I crossed my arms in a fake huff. We turned the corner on to my road, nearly running into a biker with a guitar case on his bike. He slammed on his brakes as we jumped out of the way.

"Sorry!" I hollered. Even though I realized he was the one riding on the wrong side of the sidewalk.

"Nora?"

"Oh. David. Hi." I pulled my hat down further over my hair.

"Hi." He looked at me, looked at Ryan. "I'm David." Ryan shook his hand politely and I wondered why this was so awkward. It shouldn't be.

"We're just headed..." I wasn't sure how to finish that sentence. The "we" of it seemed combative for some reason.

"To check on Barbara." Ryan filled in when I didn't finish.

"To check on Barbara!" I repeated.

"Who the heck is Barbara?"

"My dog." I didn't like where this was going. I suddenly wished Ryan was not there.

"Your dog." David was staring at Ryan, but clearly talking to me. "You can't even keep a plant alive." 

"Well. Now I have a dog. So."

"You should see the great pet owner she is," Ryan said. "The best I've ever seen."

"The best pet owner you've ever seen?"

"And I've seen a lot of pet owners. Nora is the tops." From his challenging tone, he might have added, "She's a better pet owner than you'll ever be, buddy." But he stopped talking and let David take us in.

"Well, super for you, Nora. Enjoy your... dog." Then he pedaled off, leaving me to mature gestures like stomping my feet and sticking my tongue out at his back.

"Who was that jerk?"

"Ex-boyfriend."

"Ugh. I hope you dumped him."

"Nope," I said pitifully, "he dumped me."

"You're kidding. You dodged a bullet, if you askme. What a-" A car blew by just then almost drowning out his very fittingcussword for David. Almost.