Page 63 of Choosing You

“No, Jade. No excuses. You get out of that room and do something fun. It’s on me, which you’ll see when you get the box. And don’t go spending that money on laundry or something practical. There’s a separate envelope for that.”

“Frank, I can’t take your—”

“It’s a gift. Now tell me what else you’re up to. How are classes?”

“Good. I’m still getting A’s, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“That’s great, but not that surprising.” I feel him smiling through the phone.

There’s silence because neither one of us ever has much to say.

Frank finally speaks. “Well, Ryan and I will call you on Thursday, okay?”

“Okay.”

“And Jade.” Frank’s tone turns serious. “There’s something in that box I sent that you might want to set aside for later.”

“What is it?”

“You’ll see when you get the box. It was to be given to you on your 19thbirthday but you’ll have to decide what to do with it.”

“Now I have to know what it is. Just tell me.”

“Wait until you get the package and then we’ll talk, okay?”

“Yeah. Bye.”

That was strange. What did Frank put in that box and why was he so cryptic about it?

* * *

Wednesday nightI’m reading a chapter in my psychology book when I hear someone knocking on my door. Assuming it’s Harper inviting me to watch TV in her room, I jump up to answer it.

It’s not Harper. It’s Garret. He isn’t his usual clean cut self. He’s got a day’s worth of stubble on his face and his eyes look tired. If he’s hoping this disheveled look will make me feel sorry for him, it’s not going to work.

“What do you want, Garret?” I keep the door open just a crack.

“Did you read my notebook?”

“Yes.”

“So can we talk?”

“I have nothing to say to you. I’m finally moving past all this. Just go away. And don’t come down here anymore.”

I start to shut the door, but he puts his hand up holding it open.

“It was my dad, Jade. He made me do it. It wasn’t me. You don’t understand.” He has that desperate tone again just like he had in the car that night after the dinner at his parents’ house. “But I’m done taking orders from him. Especially about stuff like this. You and me. He has no right to interfere. None of them do.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Let me in and I’ll tell you. I can’t talk in the hall.”

I hesitate, then go back to my desk to grab my keys. “Let’s go outside.”

Sitting is out of the question. I’ve got the nervous energy thing going and I have to keep moving. We go outside and I take off, walking fast across campus with Garret trailing behind.

“Are you going to stop?” he asks.

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