After a small incident in the morning, my friends vanished hastily, and we were left alone. The silence of the bedroom and Jackson's soothing embrace were just what I needed. It seemed so right to stand like this as if everything that had happened this moment was a bad dream, and I went back to my normal routine, to my boring human life without the Murky Shadows, Nefarious, and other creatures. I was sure that I would always enjoy this, and the dear smell of Jackson would always make me want him, and his hands would calm and excite me at the same time. This was constant for my life, and no immortality would change that.

"I love you!" I whispered in his ear. "I will always love you no matter what happens."

"Babe, I love you too!" he soothingly was caressing my back. I suppose he thought that my words were caused by the nerves before the interview and the start of the classes. But this was not the case. I was really scared, but not of the trifles that he thought about.

"Can I call You Darsy?"

"Sure, that's my name!" I laughed nervously. There was no pint in worrying about this meeting until I saw my boss-to-be. It was an African-American fellow of almost 6 feet and 7 inches high and of about 440 pounds. He grinned from ear to ear, and his entire appearance made me feel creepy.

"Darsy, I get that you need a job to cover your tuition. But why should we hire somebody with zero experience for the money-related position?"

"I graduated high school with A in math," I blurted out. Given the circumstances, it was quite a silly thing to say. "In fact, it means that I'm a fast learner and take responsibility for everything that's important to me. And this job is important to me!"

"The next year you'll be able to apply for a position in a law firm. You should wait and try in a year. Since we can't afford to hire a person for a year, and then to look for a replacement," that bullshit was meant for silly schoolgirls, and I was the one for him.

"Listen, Mr…" I paused, remembering the name of that man. I would not remember it even if I wanted to because I was impressed by his appearance.

"Robert Litt," the manager reminded me.

"Mr. Litt, I get that you have candidates lining up for this position at the beginning of the semester, and you have no reason to hire an inexperienced freshman. But I can guarantee that You won't find a more hardworking and reliable employee than me. Why is that? It's because I have no other options, and I'm very interested in this position. It'll give me a chance to pay my bills. That's why I'll value this job more than those who are hired for the practice or spending this money on entertainment and parties."

For a moment, it seemed that Mr. Litt believed my words. He began to ask questions typical for the interested employer during the interview. Our conversation lasted about another half an hour, and we seemed to come to a positive conclusion. Mr. Litt shook my hand and told me that he needed to meet with a couple more candidates, after which he would make a decision.

"We'll contact you anyway."

"Thank you a lot! I'll wait for your call."

Coming out into the street, I quickly got into the car – Jackson looked worried.

"What took you so long? Did they interview you for the position of the director?"

"No. They take hiring personnel seriously. The last employee was fired because of the tidy sum of money missing from the cash desk. They don't want to make the same mistake, and given the fact that I have no experience and just graduated from school, their considerations have grounds."

"If you say so… What're your chances?"

"Better than in the INC company, but I'll keep searching for other options, just in case."

"Your mother called. She worries. You couldn't call them last night though you'd promised…"

"My God, Mary!" I bit my lip in annoyance. Most likely, the baby girl was upset when I did not call and made a hell of a scene for our Mom.

I quickly dialed the number and, after some beeps, I heard my Mom's voice.

"Darsy, thank God it's you! We were worried. Jackson said you got lost. He was looking for you, but I suggested him to wait for you at home. Do you remember when you were little and ran away from me in the store, and then you came home by yourself?"

"You said back then that I have a kind of a built-in compass!"

"Exactly!" we laughed. Back then, my Mom punished me severely, because she was really scared.

"Is Mary mad at me?"

"At first, she was a bit sulky, but we talked this out and she realized that you can't always call her for a bedtime story because there are things that don't depend on you. Tell me, how are you?" I did not know what my Mom meant by that, but I replied,

"I'm okay. I got scared when I couldn't find my way back home. And I left my cellphone in my handbag in Jackson's car. But in the morning, I found my way, or I was rather suggested one. Boston is not as dangerous at night as the news shows," I reassured my mother. "I've just had an interview and I think I'll get the answer soon. I'm sorry I won't make it this weekend, so much is going on. It turns out that independent life is much more difficult than it seems."

"You'll make it, child! You're the most independent girl in the world. If you need a piece of advice or to lecture Jackson, I'm always at your service!"

Then I talked to my father for a while. I could not wait to hear how he was feeling, but he, as always, was overly optimistic. Such behavior was a disguise and I could not tell how he truly felt. We said good-bye until tonight. I did not want to let Mary down again.

"What're the plans for the rest of the day?" I asked Jackson.

"I have a great idea," he smiled.

The Boston Public Garden was crowded on Saturday afternoon. But it only made it look more charming than in quiet hours when only ducks inhabited it. Couples were sitting under the trees, enjoying the company of each other and the sounds of the Garden, embracing the last summer heat. Mothers with children were playing away from kissing couples. There were even older couples who had nowhere to rush.

We settled right on the bank of the pond under a huge willow tree. Jackson made snacks for a picnic, took a blanket where we sat down. He was joking a lot with his mouth full like he had not eaten in years, and I laughed at his look and his voice.

"Darsy? Did you get a tattoo?" Jackson suddenly asked.

"WHAT? What are you talking about?"

He gave me a cellphone so I could use it as a mirror and showed me a little spot behind my ear that I did not remember. It was noticeable only at close distance as it was hidden behind my hair. I tried to erase it but failed.

"I must have accidentally drawn it with a pen."

"That's some permanent pen…" Jackson frowned. He was extremely conservative and did not approve tattoos.

"I would remember if I got a tattoo. Let's play?"

Frisbee was our favorite game since junior school. That's how we actually met – a frisbee hit me on the head during my first lunch in the schoolyard. And it was Jackson who threw it. Since then, we mastered the art of this game and could participate in the Olympic games, if it was an Olympic sport.

As soon as we started playing, I was distracted by a familiar silhouette a hundred meters from us, and a frisbee hit me on the forehead, just like in our first meeting.

"Darsy, are you okay?" Jackson was worried.

"Yes. I'll be right back. I'll just go refresh myself…"