Chapter 18

Ailee
The day after my trip to the dispensary Merigold came by with Lug Nut to take me to lunch. Which was surprising to say the least. I didn’t really expect to see Lug Nut again. Not with my way over the top with my flirting with Lug Nut the previous day. It was completely out of character for me. But for some reason I couldn’t help myself. It was like Lug Nut brought it out in me. A part I didn’t even realize I had in me. I just know that I really wanted to flirt with that man so I did. And you know what. It felt good too. I don’t often get a chance to feel like a woman for once. I always have to keep my ice queen mask on when I’m helping my grandda. Then I’m a patient to the doctors and nurses. I’m a princess to Callen and Finn. But to be attracted to a guy doesn’t happen often and never to this extent.
But I accepted the invite to lunch anyway. They took me to this cute diner that Merigold swears has the best loaded fries around. We get a booth at the back and have a seat. Me sitting in the middle between Merigold and Lug Nut. Finn and Callen take the table next to us. That is odd. They always sit with me no matter where we go or who I am with. When I question them about it Finn says “ We are giving you privacy and time with your friends. Just enjoy it.” Ok. I guess I could use some privacy while spending time with Merigold. It has never been an issue before but I never really had friends before that I wanted to have personal conversations with. When we are in my condo Finn and Callen are usually in another room and I hadn’t thought much about it. I just feel a little odd not to have them glued to my side in public.

A waitress comes to our table. She couldn’t be more than seventeen, eighteen maybe. Cute little thing. She has on just jeans and a tee shirt with the diner’s name on it. There are two things that catch my attention. The first is the sweet smile she greets us with. She shows no indication that she may fear Lug Nut or even Callen and Finn. The second is her blonde hair that she has in two pigtails.The ends are striped with blue and purple. She leans over and hugs Merigold first then gives a half hug to Lug Nut. Lug Nut says “ Ailee meet Macy.” I reach over and shake her hand. “ How do you do,lass.” “ Oh I love your accent.” she squeals. Did I mention she is too cute. I thank her. Merigold asks how school is going and Macy says “ Going good. Still on track for early graduation. Then cross your fingers I get a scholarship and I can get early admission to college.”
“ You will get it. We all have faith in you. Why aren’t you studying instead of working? Is grams short handed?” Lug Nut asks. “ Nope, grams is good. I’m taking extra shifts to save money for things the scholarship doesn’t cover like food, clothes and stuff like that. Just to hold me over until I get a job at school.” Macy says. “ Can I ask what you plan to study?” My wheels are already turning. If this child is set for early graduation and a scholarship she must have a good head on her shoulders. She is working hard for her grams to make money for anything the scholarship doesn’t cover. She should be able to focus on school without stressing if she is going to be able to eat that day.
Macy beams at me “ I’m going to study pre-med at the University of Minnesota.” “ You want to be a doctor?” I ask. “ No, I'm going to be a research scientist. I want to help find cures for things like childhood diabetes. But I need a lot of the same courses as a doctor. It isn’t as sought after as a doctor but it is what I love.” Macy’s whole face lights as she talks. She is clearly passionate about her chosen path. “ Don’t downplay yourself. Those scientists are just as important if not more so than a doctor. Without the research for better meds, treatments and cures, where would the doctors be.” I told her.
Macy blushes and thanks me. “ Oh where is my mind? Let me get your orders. My other table has been waiting for me to stop jabbering.” I laugh because I know Callen and Finn won’t mind. I know they were listening. But I don’t say anything. Since I have a good appetite today I ordered a large order of the loaded fries Merigold was raving about with extra bacon. Lug Nut asks for a burger and Merigold a club sandwich with a side of loaded fries.
Macy goes to take Finn and Callen’s orders next. She apoloogizes for the wait and even offers them dessert on the house to make up for it. They decline stating it wasn’t a problem and they didn’t have to wait long.After getting Callen and Finn’s order Macy goes to the kitchen. Once I know she is out of ear shot then I ask “ Callen is grandda still taking?” I don’t get a chance to finish before Callen holds up his phone “ Already on it.” I say my thanks and turn my attention back to Merigold and Lug Nut. They look at me questionable so I explain. “ Over the years the O’ Sullivan family has sponsored a select few through their college careers. It can cover everything from books, to housing, even a clothing allowance. And that young lass definitely has what it takes to qualify to be sponsored.”

Merigold says “ That’s awesome. That would help Macy so much. Between a sponsorship and the scholarship we are helping her get she won’t have to worry about anything but studying.” Did she say the MC was helping Macy with the scholarship? Lug Nut sees the question on my face. He checks to make sure Macy is still in the kitchen. Then explains that Macy is being raised by her granma after her drug addict parents abandoned her. A few years ago when Macy’s granma found out Macy’s dreams she wanted to do everything she could to make it happen. She tried student loans but they didn’t qualify. She checked in to scholarships but Macy on was eligible for partial scholarships. She even tried to get a second mortgage on her house and diner but was turned down.
One day a group of the guys were in here having lunch and saw Macy’s granma was upset. They were concerned so after some talking they finally got Macy’s granma to admit what the problem was. It took some doing but with Lilly’s help they were able to set up a college scholarship for Macy through the MC. It is being done anonymously so Macy never finds out who is helping her because she wants to earn it on her own merit. I’m almost in tears when they finish the story. It is so sweet and sad at the same time. But I’m even more determined to help Macy.
I text my granda really quickly to tell him what I want to do even if I have to sponsor Macy myself. I get a text back almost immediately telling me he is already working on it. Apparently Macy made an impression on Finn and Callen as well. Before I have a chance to say anything Macy is back with our food. She sets it down and we dig in. Oh wow Merigold wasn’t lying about these fries. Lug Nut is half way through his burger when he asks “ So you gonna tell us what had you smiling before our food came?” “ Let’s just say Macy is going to be well taken care of '' I say, popping a fry in my mouth.
Lug Nut slides closer to me and puts his arm around my shoulder. Snagging one of my fries he asks “ So tell me about Ailee. Did you go to college?” He grabs at another fry when I slap his hand. He laughs and pulls his hand back. “ I went to college, yes.” Merigold asks “ What did you study?” “ I got a degree in business management with a minor in early childhood development.” I can almost hear Callen puff his chest up in pride. I swear there are times when I think Callen is even more proud of my accomplishments than my granda.
“ That’s cool. What are you doing with your degree?” Lug Nut asks. He looks genuinely interested in what I have to say. “ I help grandda run our charities, scholarship fund as well as some of our businesses. Well, I did until recently. I have had to cut back. On all my work as matter of fact. I still can handle a lot of it at home. Like paperwork and answering emails. But going to the office's grandda or Fin handle for me.” I actually miss that part of my work. I like seeing how our work benefits people.
Lug Nut places a kiss on my forehead and says “ Don’t worry. You will get back to your dreams. All your dreams.” “ What kind of charities do you run?” Merigold asks. I smile “ We have several but the one that brings me the most joy is the one one that helps victims of sex trafficing. We cover therapy and medical costs. If they are children we make sure they go back home or if that isn ‘t possible we personally place them in good, loving homes. We follow up with them monthly to make sure they are being taken care of. Or to see if there is anything else we can do to help. We help them get back in school. With adults we help them get back on thier feet with help with housing, finding jobs, getting an education if they want and a support system to lean on.” For some reason Lug Nut looks proud. Merigold looks impressed. “ That’s wonderful. Any others?” Merigold asks. “ We have one to help single mothers with anything they might need. Help with medicine, food, clothing. Help with paying bills. Almost anything.” I told them.