The Match

by Sarah Adams

I can see in Jo’s eyes that she wants to make a sarcastic joke about the patch reference, but she refrains and instead says, “I wish there were something I could say to make it better. But I know there isn’t.” Reason number 12,345 why I love Jo. She’s been listening to people living with disabilities for the past five years of running Southern Service Paws, and she knows that sometimes people just need to talk and be heard—not fixed.

“I had some not-so-nice people say some not-so-nice things about me when I was young. But you know what…” I look down at Sam and brush her hair behind her ear. “I survived. It hurt at the time, but now I’m a strong woman who lives with a very scary medical condition, and I have every right to feel proud of myself for that. And you do too. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel bad about who you are or scared to live your life. You’re more than your seizures. And I’ll be happy to remind you of that anytime you doubt it.”

I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous having someone in my space before. Jake is so grown and adult and hot. And I’m…well, I’m grown too, but I definitely don’t feel adult. Never have. Probably never will. I’ve given up any aspirations of becoming the woman who rinses out her mug and puts it right into the dishwasher when I’m done with it. I don’t need that kind of pressure in my life.

Relatable

But after I give myself a mental slap, I remember that I’ve been training for this very moment. A man doesn’t watch all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls for nothing.