Chapter Nineteen – Reunion

One of these times Suvi was going to run smack into the fence around the dog park. Olivia was sure of it. He and two other dogs were racing back and forth across the enclosure. Each time they made another pass they picked up speed, which brought them closer and closer to the edges. Somehow he was managing the hairpin turn around without hitting anything or falling over, but she honestly didn't know how. There was no way it could last. Her cellphone rang just as Suvi whipped past again. She grabbed her cell and took a few steps away from the noise of the dogs playing so she would be able to hear.

"Benson."

"Hey, Olivia. It's Marshelle."

"Hey. How are you?"

"Good. You sound like you're doing really well too."

"I am. I'm doing fantastic."

Marshelle could hear the truth of that statement ringing through the warmth of Olivia's voice. Definitely a far cry from the near monotone, hopeless cold Olivia had started with when she arrived at the center. It was just what Marshelle had wanted to hear.

"I'm glad. That's exactly what I need."

Olivia laughed softly. Marshelle had checked in on her a few times, but this seemed different. It was the first time she'd mentioned needing something.

"What's this about, Marshelle? If you need me for something just let me know."

"There is something actually. We have a big fundraising event in the city coming up, and I try to have some of our recent graduates there."

"And you'd like us to come."

"I'd like you to do more than come if you're okay with that."

"What is it you'd like me to do?" Olivia asked in surprise.

"I was hoping you would be willing to tell your story at the dinner. Showcasing successes is a big part of the evening."

Olivia hated speaking in front of large groups even though experience had allowed her to become more used to it. That was just speaking about professional matters as well. She had to assume that personal topics would be much worse. This was what Marshelle was asking though, and for her Olivia would do it.

"As long as I'm not already scheduled for a conference that day I'd be glad to."

"Let's hope you're not. You'd be fantastic for this."

Olivia laughed again and shook her head. Fantastic and public speaking definitely didn't go together in her mind, especially when she was involved with both.

"I'm not so sure about that considering many people's opinions on cops, but I'll trust you."

A familiar bark caught Olivia's attention, and she swiveled around to check in with Suvi. He was standing beside the gate and obviously wanted to come out and join her. She headed back toward the gate as she spoke to Marshelle.

"Give me one second, Marshelle."

"That's fine."

Olivia popped her phone into her pocket for safekeeping and went to get Suvi. The moment she opened the gate he bounded out and started snuffling at her hands. Once he was done greeting her and was satisfied that she was okay he sat down in front of her. She rubbed his ears and then clipped his leash back onto his collar. Moving away from the gate again, this time with Suvi at her side, Olivia pulled out her phone.

"Marshelle?"

"All good?"

"Yeah. When is the fundraiser?"

"July 29th."

"The date doesn't sound familiar, but I'll have to double check later to be sure."

"Just let me know. I'll email you the location and time. You're looking at maybe a five to ten minute talking time, but you're pretty free to do whatever you'd like as long as you don't go over fifteen minutes. You're welcome to bring someone besides Suvi with you too. It won't be quite a black tie event, but pretty close."

"Sounds good. I'll let you know."

"It's usually a fun night. Dinner, music, testimonies, sometimes even a little dancing."

"With a little business mixed in I'm sure."

"A little, but that's the way it works sometimes."

"I'd be glad to help if I can. I'll give you a call later tonight."

"Perfect. Thank you, Olivia. I'll talk to you later."

On the trip back to her apartment Olivia couldn't help thinking about the fundraising event. She really hoped she was right about the date. Not only would it be nice to see Marshelle again, she would have the opportunity to interact with other service dog handlers. Having a whole group of handlers together would provide a lot of good support and probably some amusing stories as well. Beyond all of that, with how much Paws with a Cause had done for her, she wanted to help them so they could help more people. She was never truly going to be able to thank Marshelle enough, but the fundraiser would be a good start.

Marshelle had said she could bring a guest with her. Assuming she would be able to attend, who would she bring? Amanda would definitely enjoy coming even if she couldn't bring Frannie with her. If she got called in on a case last minute though, Olivia would be on her own. She could handle that if she needed to, but there were other options. Like Ben. Did she really want to ask him to join her though? The event was going to be rather formal which was beyond what they usually did. It wasn't going to be overly date like either. More like inviting him to a business party than anything else. She wasn't sure that would be the best idea. With her speaking obligation he would hear more than she honestly wanted him to also. The more she thought about it the more she questioned whether she wanted Ben to come. In the end she could even go alone (or more accurately, with just Suvi). There would be time to decide, especially since she didn't even know if she would actually be able to attend. Her phone calendar was clear for that day, but she wanted to check her own at home and the more recent requests just in case she'd forgotten to enter one. Usually she was on top of things, but she didn't want to risk confirming with Marshelle until she was positive.

As she headed down the hall toward her apartment her phone pinged, indicating she had a new email. After she got inside and let Suvi roam she pulled it up. Apparently it was the day for everyone related to Paws with a Cause to contact her. Micheal's email could be about the same fundraiser Marshelle had called about or it could be their usual back and forth email. Not wanting to read a full email on her tiny phone screen, she snagged her laptop and dropped onto the couch.

Hey Olivia,

Has Marshelle talked to you recently? She said they're having a fundraiser in your neck of the woods (if you didn't already know). I'm guessing she probably told you about it, or will soon, but just in case it's on the 29th of July. If I come up for it we should try to get together. I'm sure Tucker would love to beat Suvi again. It would be nice to have someone else there I know too. Let me know if she's talked to you about it or if you want to meet up.

Micheal

PS – You're going to have to prove to me that this whole Central Park thing is as good as what we have here.

Olivia smiled. Apparently she wasn't the only one that Marshelle wanted at the fundraiser. It was possible she wanted him to speak as well. That would definitely make sense if Marshelle wanted to appeal to a wide variety of people. Using her two special projects, one a former cop, the other a retired military man, would have a big impact on potential sponsors. If Micheal did come up, whether he was set to speak or not, she would really like to meet up with him again. It had been a long time since they'd done more than exchange emails. She would love to show him how far she and Suvi had come while she showed him the city. They would have to figure something out even if she wasn't able to attend the fundraiser too.

It was time to figure out whether or not she could go. A quick look through her conference files left the 29th clear. One more look through her email confirmed that. She was good to go for the fundraiser. After sending Marshelle a quick message to let her know she would be available for the event she started on her longer email to Micheal.

Micheal,

Marshelle told me about the fundraiser today. Did she ask you to speak as well? That could end up being a bit uncomfortable. I'll definitely be going though so we will need to plan some time to catch up. We'll need time to let Tucker and Suvi play too, but I don't know what you are talking about with Suvi losing again. As far as I remember, that never happened. In fact, if I remember correctly (which I'm pretty sure I do), Suvi was the one who won. He will gladly show Tucker the dog park so he can try to for victory though. I will even treat for lunch if Tucker wins.

Are you bringing your fiancé as a guest? I haven't decided if I should bring someone with me besides Suvi. I have a feeling we could be rather busy.

Let me know when you are coming in and when you'd like to get together.

Olivia

It wasn't more than five minutes after she'd sent the email that she received one in return. The message confirmed that Micheal would be bringing his fiancé. They were planning on doing the whole tourist thing on the first day, but Micheal wanted to meet her the next day. They would have enough time to have lunch and take the dogs to the park before they went to the fundraiser.

Knowing that Micheal would be bringing his fiancé made Olivia's choice of guest easier. She would see if Ben wanted to go despite all her misgivings about it, but she would have to find a way to explain what they would be attending and that he didn't need to come. Olivia suspected he would jump on the opportunity before she could finish explaining. When she thought about it, she wasn't so sure how Ben and Micheal would do together. In some ways they were rather similar, but she knew that Ben could be a bit of an acquired taste in a way. He certainly had a unique personality. The more Olivia got to know him the more of that she saw.

Before she could change her mind, Olivia texted Ben and asked him to call her when he had a chance. She didn't know what to say to him yet, but she was hoping she would have enough time to figure that all out before he called her back. That was not to be. No sooner had she put the phone down than it rang. Her mind started spinning the moment she saw Ben's name on the caller ID. Apparently she was going to have to work on the fly.

"You paged?"

One sentence. That was all it took to make Olivia smile and ease some of her worry.

"Do you have some free time? This can wait."

"I'm good. Go ahead."

"I have a work event coming up in a few months. It's probably not going to be all that interesting or anything, but I'm allowed to bring along a guest. You definitely don't have to come. I really don't want to subject you to hours of boredom."

"You want me to come with you to a work event?" Ben asked.

He knew he'd heard right, but it was so amazing that he just wanted to hear her say it again. The grin on his face wasn't going to disappear any time soon.

"I'm offering. I don't need you to come and you don't have to come," she corrected.

"Of course I want to come."

"Ben, are you sure? I don't really know what this is going to be like, and I don't want you to feel obligated."

"If it's awful we can be bored together."

He really didn't care where they were going or what they would be doing. This was the first time Olivia had offered to bring him with her as a date. While she hadn't used that actual word it was the only one that made sense. You wouldn't invite a friend to join you for a work party. At least not usually.

"Alright. It's on July 29th."

"Okay. Do you want to tell me more about what this event is?"

"It's a fundraiser for the organization that gave me Suvi. I think it's supposed to be a presentation, dinner, and some level of party."

"That doesn't sound boring."

"I really don't know what it's going to be besides semi-formal."

"Well, I'll put it on my calendar, and you can tell me more when you know. If it's in July we have time."

"Yeah. I'll give you more details when I get them, but for now I'll let you get back to work."

"Probably should whether I want to or not. See you Saturday?"

"Mm. See you then."

Olivia hung up and realized that she was actually smiling still. Part of her was obviously more excited about bringing Ben to the fundraiser than the piece that had been worried about it. She had to admit that she was looking forward to taking him. Telling her story to all of those people wasn't going to be easy with or without Ben there to hear it. She really wasn't one to discuss her feelings with anyone. Keeping her emotions hidden and locked out of view was so much a part of her that every fiber of her being would fight against revealing the truth of her existence during that time. For Marshelle and Paws with a Cause, she would find a way to share her story. While she hadn't discussed the time between her injury and obtaining Suvi with Ben, she figured he had already guessed part of what she'd gone through. Hearing how deep her depression had been wouldn't chase Ben away (at least she didn't think it would), and hopefully he wouldn't make too much of a big deal out of her recovery. It would be embarrassing enough without that.