Logan Airport
“Hi, Meredith,” came the voice on the other end of the line. “It’s me. Connor.”
Connor. She’d wondered if he’d give her a call or if he, like so many others, was ready to put distance between himself and her.
Meredith let out her breath. Her hands were sweating more than she wanted to admit as she fumbled in her purse for her hands-free set. “Hi, Connor.” She didn’t try to mask the tiredness in her voice. Didn’t try to put on a show to alleviate any guilt he felt. The two had been close once. Even dated a few times. Things might have gotten more serious if they hadn’t both realized how significantly Connor’s position as a divorced dad of two would compromise Meredith’s ministry. It had been three or four years since their last dinner out together.
Connor sounded as weary as Meredith felt. “Listen, I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am. The board’s decision … it was far from unanimous.”
“I know.” It was nothing Meredith hadn’t heard before. But if every board member who assured her their decision wasn’t unanimous had voted in her favor, Meredith would still have her job. Her life. Her ministry. Still, she couldn’t picture Connor voting against her. They’d known each other for years now, back when Connor was still working for that Christian publisher out of Grand Rapids. Back before Meredith had written her first Bible study, recorded her first video, signed her first publishing contract. They’d attended the same church, and Connor was the one who introduced her to Meredith’s literary agent.
“This may not be a good time,” he began, “but I just wanted to see if there was anything I can do.”
“That’s kind of you.” Meredith was ashamed of herself for mistrusting Connor in the first place. This whole situation had made her second-guess every friendship, every relationship, every ally she had. But she shouldn’t have doubted him.
“I still know a lot of people in the publishing world,” Connor said. “If you’re looking for a new position …”
Meredith remembered their very first dinner out. Connor’s kids were still young at the time, and they’d had to postpone their date twice to accommodate his babysitter’s fickle schedule. “What’s your biggest dream?” Connor had asked over mediocre pasta. Meredith had told him about her vision to bring Bible-based workbooks and videos and books to Christian women around the world. She hardly knew him at the time, but he’d been so easy to talk to. So eager to hear what she had to say. Five minutes into their meal, and she’d divulge her entire mountain of dreams.
And he didn’t laugh. Didn’t question whether or not there was a market for more theology resources for women as opposed to topical studies on marriage or femininity or homemaking. He didn’t mention how hard it was to break out into the publishing world, where an unknown woman with no audience and no platform would be more likely to get hired on as a cleaning lady for a publishing house than to receive a decent contract.
Instead he sat back in his chair in that carefree, comfortable way, smiled, and said, “You know, I have a buddy who’s a literary agent. Let me see how hard it would be to get the two of you together for a meeting.”
And that was the beginning of Meredith’s new life. Serving as the president of Living Grace was exhausting, rewarding, and more often than not as frustrating as it was exhilarating. Still, Meredith knew that she was one of the privileged few who got to wake up every day convinced that she was doing exactly the work she was made for.
What could be more satisfying than that?
She thought back to that first dinner with Connor. Wondered if she’d take him up on his offer to help if she knew where she would end up right now.
The answer was a resounding yes.
Meredith adjusted her headset. It was just like Connor to be looking out for her even now. Just like he’d done over fifteen years ago. I have a buddy who’s a literary agent. Let me see how hard it would be to get the two of you together for a meeting …
And now he was basically offering her the exact same thing.
“That’s really nice of you to offer,” she told him on the phone. “I don’t know what the plan is. My flight just got cancelled because of this snow storm, and I don’t know how I’m going to get home …” Meredith recognized how close she was coming to tears and refused to let them fall.
“You’re still in town?” Connor sounded surprised. Surprised and something else. What was it?
She cleared her throat and steeled up her voice. “But I appreciate the thought. Thanks so much for calling.”
“Meredith, wait.”
She stopped with her finger over the end call button, her heart racing in her chest. She told herself it was because she’d been walking so quickly to get away from that reporter just a few minutes earlier.
“Yeah?” She cleared her throat again. She had to sound strong. Strong and brave. Because Connor was a fixer, and if he got even the slightest sense that Meredith was broken …
“I just wanted to tell you what a gifted teacher you are,” he said. “And I know God has something great in store for your future. I’m convinced of that.”
Meredith waited. For some reason she’d been expecting something else. Something more.
But the silence on the other line told her that Connor had said everything he planned to say.
“Thank you.” She needed to end the call now, or she really would start crying.
“Have a good flight,” Connor offered somewhat awkwardly. “Take care of yourself and stay safe.”
“I’ll try.” Meredith sighed wearily. “I’ll try.”