”“Yes. Deborah, did you read her file as I asked?”“I honestly can’t believe a spat between you and Dave over ‘participation’ trophies ha... led to this,” she said, shaking her head.“And yet, my point was proved decisively,” I replied. “But it’s become way more than that. Dave’s worldview clashes directly with mine, and as I said, with the «kami» of NIKA. He’s not a good cultural fit at this point. That said, he does his job exceedingly well in terms of delivering quality software on schedule.. Every so often a car would drive past and I would jump up, but none of them stopped. I glared at the phone, trying to use my magic powers to make it ring and have Mum say everything was okay.Apparently my magic powers were on the fritz because the phone refused to ring. For five – ten – fifteen long minutes the tension inside of me built and built. It was only the calm confidence of Nana that kept me from running around and screaming in sheer panic.Finally all that focus on the phone had some. “Definitely.” He says. “I might even watch the game with Devin.” He adds instantly diminishing all of my excitement. I plaster on a smile but put some distance between us.At home I make it a point to flirt with Grant and do everything but plaster myself to him. Devin ignores us to my utter annoyance but I don’t let it entirely ruin my night. When Grant eventually leaves and mom and dad retire to bed I plop on the armchair across from devin who is on the couch and begin filing my toes.“You could. There was nothing to say and we sat in silence for a long time. I was relieved she had not walked out and we had time, the whole afternoon. Be patient, I told myself. She watched television. ‘Look Chaisee,’ I said, using her real name, ‘I am sorry I asked too much, I don’t want to upset you, but I just wanted to get an idea of how much you have done. I don’t want to do anything that would make you feel uncomfortable.’ It was suitably reassuring and it worked. And it all came out. She told me.