Page 11 of Education with Dad's Best Friend
My mouth opens, although I’ve guessed it. I can’t hide my smirk, and my curiosity intensifies. I’m about to convince him to let me see it when I hear a knock on the door.
Albert turns to face the door, looking alarmed. “Who is it?”
“It’s me, John.” I recognize the voice, although I don’t hear it that often. It’s my dad.
“Give me just a minute,” Albert says calmly as he glances at me. He looks wary, and I know why—this is not a good time to let my dad see us. We look suspicious with Albert’s door locked from inside, and the office smells my juice.
Hide me.I mouth the word to Albert and look around me.
Albert guides me to a space behind his desk and between a file cabinet and a bookshelf. I couch down.
He then opens the door for my dad. “Hi. Sorry I was in the middle of something.”
“No problem. Where is Elsie?”
“She left. Saying she had to go home.”
“Damn. I have nothing to do, so I thought I would come to see her.”
My dad sounds disappointed, and I feel guilty of hiding from him.
“Well, that’s too bad. I called you earlier to let you know,” Albert says. “But you didn’t answer it.”
“I was on my way here but got intercepted by the president at the elevator, and he wouldn’t stop talking. You know how he is.”
“Yeah, what did you guys talk about?”
“The usual thing lately. Whether we should get rid of the English and math prerequisites for the freshmen, like the state universities.”
“What’s his take on it?”
“He’s with the conservatives. He wants it the old way, saying it’s important to keep up our reputation of a prestigious school.”
Albert sighs. “Bunch of morons. Don’t they see the reform will provide kids more opportunities?”
“Anyway, I’m afraid I’ve got more bad news,” my dad says. “He thinks it’s better to open the position of admissions dean to the public and hire externally.”
“Holy shit,” Albert mutters. “What the hell does he have in mind?”
“I suspect he wants to bring over someone from another college,” my dad says with a sigh. “I’m sorry. There isn’t much I can do about that, but I promise I’ll do my best to recommend you, anyway.”
“Thanks. I owe you one.”
“You don’t. You’re doing me a big favor.”
As they go on, it becomes clear that my dad is helping Albert get the position being mentioned. I put two and two together, and it daunts on me that Albert has made a deal with my dad. My dad helps Albert to get the job while Albert returns the favor by tutoring my math. It all makes sense now.
“The thing is,” I hear Albert’s voice after a moment’s silence. “I’m afraid I can’t keep on tutoring Elsie.”
“Why not?” my dad asks. “Is she that difficult?”
My stomach drops. My dad thinks I’m stupid.
“No!” Albert says quickly. “She’s a bright girl. It’s just that… my schedule is tricky lately. I’m working on a paper for a publication.”
“Come on, Albert,” my dad says with a sigh. “You can make time. It’s not like you have a family. Help me out, please. I would like Elsie to go to college. It’s the only thing I can do for her.”
That warms my heart although I don’t understand why it’s the only thing he can do for me. I don’t even care for college. Mom says high school education is good enough for a woman.
