Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“He told you what happened?” I ask, aghast.
Jules shakes her head. “He gave Max a brief overview, who then told me. No details, just that things were over between you two. But I’m here if you want to talk. If you don’t, let’s just talk about getting the kids and the old folks together, okay?”
I hesitate before I answer. I’ve been dying of curiosity to know how Lucas has been doing. Just because I totally freaked out on him and we’re no longer together doesn’t mean I don’t still care for him. Hell, half the reason I pushed him away was trying to avoid hurting him even worse down the road. Granted, the other half was to avoid me getting hurt when he ultimately figured out that I wasn’t that much of a prize, but the point being, I just didn’t want anyone to hurt.
I know the Cold Fury has been doing well in the play-offs. I’ve watched every game, glued to the screen and searching out Lucas. They just won the series against the Pittsburgh Titans and that went six games. The conference finals start next week and it seems like another Stanley Cup is within reach.
Jules looks across the table at me with a reassuring smile. I know if I share, she’ll tell me about Lucas.
But do I really want to know more than Luc’s hockey stats?
What if he’s moved on and already screwing other women? Let’s face it, that was how both of us operated when we were single.
The thought of that makes my stomach pitch and I decide it’s best if I just stay in the dark.
With a slight shake of my head, I mutter, “I’m fine, really. Let’s just talk about how to move this idea forward.”
Jules looks slightly disappointed but she gives me a perky, “Sure. That will keep us plenty busy.”
“Okay. So the original way this started was there are actual day cares that are located within nursing homes. Obviously, there are activities between the two. For the kids this helps to reduce anxiety as well as improve self-esteem and social development. They’ve found that for the elderly, playing with the kids obviously cuts down on the loneliness, but also can slow physical and mental decline.”
Jules nods as she fiddles with her napkin. It feels good to get my mind off of the painful memories of Lucas and how much I miss him, so I forge ahead.
“But you know I don’t want to open up a day care. I don’t really have any desire to run one,” I reiterate as I pull a yellow pad out of my purse. I lay it on the table and snag a pen. “I thought instead I’d start a company that facilitates field trips from day care centers to nursing homes. I can do outreach and collect all of the places that are willing to participate, start a database, and then handle scheduling events. That would include transportation along with trained staff to help the interaction between the kids and the elderly, as well as providing the actual materials for activities they can do together. Games and arts and crafts and stuff like that.”
Jules eyes sparkle with excitement. “I think it’s brilliant, and I think you’re right. You’d be hamstrung by opening an actual day care because it’s too much work and you wouldn’t be able to expand outward. You do realize you could take this far past a local level. If you’re really a facilitator, you could do this across the state. Hell, even nationwide.”
“Or franchise it,” I tell her with a smug smile. I’ve been thinking big on this.
“This could really be a money maker,” she gushes.
I shake my head. “Nonprofit. All the way. But I’m sure we could get some funding or grants.”
“Would you be the director or something?” Jules asks.
I shrug slightly. “Maybe. I guess it depends on what that would entail. I think I’d much rather do the hands-on activities and go into the nursing homes with the kids.”
Jules is silent a moment as she watches me, but finally she says, “You’re really a pretty incredible person.”
My head jerks back in surprise. “What? Why would you even say that?”
Jules rolls her eyes at me. “Has no one ever told you that?”
Pain lacerates through me. Lucas had told me that, and more than once. But instead of responding, I shake my head and redirect. “It’s a solid idea, and I’ve got some money that I can use to get it going. But I would like to start very small and work out all of the kinks first.”
“Well, Annabelle’s day care is on board, as is Sweetbrier. All we have to do is pick a date and figure out what we’ll have them do together.”
“I’ve been doing some research on that,” I tell her as I flip my pad around so she can read it. “I’ve actually called several of these day cares and gotten a lot of information.”