Page 114 of Cross-Check

“How about we all just calm down? I’m sure Cora has a reason for everything,” Grace says calmly.

“No, her reason is because she’s out of her fucking mind,” Clay sneers.

“Watch it, Clay,” I snap. “I won’t let you talk to her like that.”

“This is a family issue and is none of your business.”

“Yeah, it is a family issue, and considering I’m in love with your sister, that makes her my family, which in turn makes it my goddamn business. So again, don’t speak to her like that or we’re leaving,” I tell him bluntly.

Clay’s jaw clenches as he looks away.

I feel Cora come up behind me and touch my arm. “It’s okay.”

“No, no, it’s not,” I tell her.

twenty-seven

Clay is fuming. I didn’t want him to find out this way, but part of me is glad it’s in the open.

I didn’t expect Martha to give me a call today, but the paperwork went through. I’ll start my part-time job after the break. Then in May, I will quit school and go full-time.

That’s what Clay overheard. The quitting school part.

I’ve been on edge all night trying to come up with the words to tell them that this is what I want. Now that tension has popped, leaving me with the room to breathe.

“We should go back into the dining room. I’ll tell everyone at the same time,” I tell Clay.

He glares at Kellan before turning and stalking back into the dining room. He takes his place at the table, but no one is eating.

Kellan and I also take our places. I stare down at the plate of food that I wish I could eat, but I’m too keyed up to even try.

“What’s going on? Why are you two yelling? It’s a holiday. Can’t you two get along for two seconds?” Mom asks, looking at both of us like we have lost our minds.

“Ask Cora why we were yelling. Trust me, Mom. You’ll be yelling too.” Clay crosses his arms over his chest.

Grace reaches out, pulling his arm down until she can hold his hand.

Kellan reaches under the table, taking my hand as well, calming some of my nerves.

“I’ve made a decision about my future, and Clay doesn’t agree with it. I’ve enjoyed the work I have been doing at the center, and they have offered me to apply for a full-time job. If I take it, I won’t be able to go to school and work at the same time. Not the way I am now. So I’ve decided that after next semester, I’m putting a pause on school. Until I figure out what I really want to do with it.”

You can hear a pin drop with how quiet it is at the table. The guys are all acting like their food is the most interesting thing in the world. For once, not one of them has a joke.

I look at Mom, but she is staring at her plate, zoned out. My heart aches at the look on her face. She’s disappointed in me.

Then Clay opens his mouth. “I think this is a mistake. You need to stay in school and get your degree. Why are you doing this anyway? Do you need money?”

“No, it’s not about the money. It’s about the fulfillment I get doing the work that I’m doing. I’ve thought this out. Martha said that if I get hired on, I can work there and gain experience. It’s a foot in the door. Once I decide which area I like most, I can narrow down what I need to go to school for. After a few years, they will pay for my entire college education and work my schedule around school. They promote from within when they can, so the opportunities are endless for me.”

“You support this?” Clay glares at Kellan.

“Do I support Cora in whatever she wants to do to make her happy? Yes. Yes, I do. Just like you better do the same for Grace.” Kellan keeps his tone steady.

I’m impressed with the way he is keeping his temper in check. I know he hates that they are talking down to me. I can feel it in the way he is holding my hand. I only hope it’s not about to trigger an anxiety episode.

“It doesn’t matter if he supports it or not. This is about me, so stop talking about me like I’m not here. I made a decision. I’m an adult, and it is my life. This is what I want to do. I would love it if you supported me as well, but if you can’t, I get it. I know you both feel like college is the path for me, but I don’t. This isn’t what I want.”

Clay sighs, shaking his head. “Cora, I have busted my ass to make it somewhere so I can pay for your college. I wanted to get drafted in June for the sole reason of providing for you and Mom financially, so you have to excuse me if I cannot accept that you want to give up college and go work yourself to the bone like Mom does. I want better for you. I expect better from you.”

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