"Runaway", Pink

I opened my computer and called Diego. The immortal had inherited a gym in New York from his late mentor Noah. He knew my son, Ethan, and he had reached out to me after my return to offer his condolences. We had stayed in contact since then. He was a very nice man, and I wanted to talk to him about the shelter.

His face appeared on the screen. "Hi! How are you? So what's your big project? You were quite cryptic last time over the phone."

I told him everything about the shelter. His eyes opened wide, and he smiled.

"This is such a great idea," he said. "You know I think about my gym as a safe space for supernaturals, but sometimes it's not enough."

"Exactly. It is the same for me and The Pearl. I wanted to go beyond that."

He nodded. "Noah would have loved the idea. I'm sure Ethan too."

"I believe that." I smiled. "I wanted to talk to you because you are a contact person in the community. You know many people and people come to you and your gym. I think the shelter cannot work if it is not anchored in a support network. I know you do a lot already but I wanted to ask you to be a part of this project. What do you think?"

"Thank you for thinking of me. It's an honor. And yes, of course, whatever I can do."

"I will refer you to my friend Valentina. She is putting down a database of all the persons involved to establish everyone's areas of expertise, locations, or projects. If you have any idea, we are all ears."

"Okay." He ran his hand in his hair. "I don't know if I have an area of expertise, but sure, perfect."

"You definitely have." I smiled.

"Also, I know some people here in New York who could be interested in helping at some point. Or at least in being kept up to date. I'm thinking especially about Dovi and Citlali, who are vampires, and Kai, an immortal. They're amazing people. Can I talk to them or give them your number?"

"Of course, absolutely. I will be delighted to meet them."

"By the way, when are you going to come and say 'Hi' in New York?"

"I do not know." I pushed a curl of my hair behind my ear and averted my eyes. "You know, the last time I was there was... with Ethan."

Diego tilted his head in sadness and compassion. "I see. Of course. But you're welcome, anytime."

"Thank you. Maybe it would be good for me to come again. I love the city. And I have never seen your gym."

"Indeed, you haven't." He took a mock stern expression: "It could be a professional trip. To officially establish a partnership." His expression cracked, and he laughed. "Or just go at a game at the Yankee Stadium."

"I must admit I am more a Broadway person myself. But why not!"

"We can do both."

I grinned. "I like the way you think."