She nods. “I think so, and ironically, your firing is what’s giving me the final push. You’ve worked so hard for so long and still didn’t get the reward you’ve been chasing. Meanwhile, I’m being offered the opportunity to use my heart and talents at a place that’s already demonstrated it values me. Plus, I get to stay close to family and remain a part of the village that has supported me since forever. I’m kind of mad at myself that it took me this long to get my head out of my ass.” She studies my face. “I probably shouldn’t have said any of that out loud. The timing is terrible.”

“Are you kidding?” I say, cocking my head. “When life gives me lemons, you make lemonade for yourself. It’s part of your brand.”

With her face contorted in a playful grimace, she pretends to stab a dagger through her heart.

“But seriously,” I say, squeezing her hand, “I want you to be happy. And if this decision makes you happy, I’ll be in your corner one hundred percent.”

“Thanks,” she says, her expression sobering. “But enough about me. Do me a favor and focus on yourself today, okay?”

I take in a deep breath and expel it slowly. “Yeah, I should let my mother know what’s going on. She sounded pretty distraught on the phone.”

“Go easy on her, Dean. She feels just as bad as I do.”

“She’s probably blaming herself, but I’m not interested in putting any of this on her. I’d rather find a way for us to support each other. My childhood may not have been perfect, but she was there for me. It’s time to let go of the past and build a relationship with her based on the present.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

Solange walks me to her apartment door and draws me in for another hug. “You’re going to be all right,” she says softly. “I’m confident of that. Now go do what you need to do.”

“Thanks for listening,” I say, caressing her cheek.

Closing her eyes, she burrows into my touch for a moment, then she steps back and opens the door. “I’m here for you, Dean. Always.” She gestures behind her. “None of the other stuff is going to interfere with our friendship.”

“That means a lot, Solange. Probably more than you’ll ever realize.”

As I walk down the hall, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m headed in the wrong direction. That I should be moving toward Solange, not away from her. But I plod ahead anyway. I’ve made my choices. Now I need to live with them.

Solange

I’m taking a page from Dean’s playbook and making my own plan to get “unstuck.” One of the first steps is to meet with my former student Layla.