Tea

"Let's have some tea while your clothes are getting washed and dried," Mrs. Geoff suggested. She led you to the dining area. You sat down at the table, in the pretty dress, and she poured you a cup of tea before excusing herself to tend to your wet clothes.

When she returned, the two of you started chatting. She leaned back in her chair, her eyes warm and inviting. "So, Alex," she began, "how are you finding your work at EmpowerHer? It’s not every day you see a young man like yourself in such a role. You must have a good heart for it."

You smiled modestly, setting your cup down. "It’s been... different," you admitted. "Challenging in some ways, but I’m learning a lot. Penny, my manager, and Sarah, your daughter, have been really supportive."

Mrs. Geoff nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Penny’s a good woman, and Sarah’s always spoken highly of you. She mentioned how dedicated you are." She paused, her gaze becoming a bit more thoughtful. "It’s not easy, you know, balancing everything when you’re young. It must feel like the world’s expectations are on your shoulders sometimes."

You nodded, feeling a little more comfortable as the conversation flowed. "Yeah, it can be overwhelming. I want to make a good impression, but sometimes I worry if I’m doing things right. Like, am I fitting in, or am I just... pretending to fit in?"

She took a sip of her tea, studying you over the rim of her cup. "Fitting in is overrated, if you ask me. It’s more about finding where you belong, even if it’s a bit unconventional. And I think you’re doing just fine, Alex. You wouldn’t be there if you didn’t belong."

You listened attentively and nodded. "Thanks, Mrs. Geoff. That means a lot."