Page 146 of Boiling Point
“You always told me to trust my gut, Dad. Well, it’s telling me my path is with Cal.” I leaned forward, elbows on knees, and let my chin drop. “I love him. I really do. And this feels right. Even if it means walking away from everything you and I planned together.” I blew out a shaky breath, half-laugh, half-sob. “Maybe he and I needed to come to Page to find each other. And now that we have…our roads are entwined, and they lead somewhere else.”
My words hovered in the air, unclaimed by echo or witness. The breeze stirred, carrying cut grass and chlorine from the ornamental pool behind me. It was ridiculous, how badly I wanted a sign—one shifting shadow, one bronze plaque rattled loose in the wind. But the dead stayed dead.
“For what it’s worth,” I said, softer, “I think you’d have liked him. Even if every bone in your body would’ve wanted to throttle him for how it started. He’s stubborn as hell—like you. Way too smart for his own good—also like you. And he makes me feel…whole.” I stood and stepped to Dad’s plaque. “Wish us luck.”
I pressed my finger to his name, just once, then fished my phone from my bag. I snapped a photo of the plaque and sent it to Aunt Suzy with a single line:
Saying hi to Dad
After a few moments, her reply came through.
I needed that, sweet girl. Thank you.
Something eased in my chest. Another message blinked through.
Are you talking to me again?
Apparently so.
For what it’s worth, I’m so sorry for what I put you through. Both of you. I promise, I thought I was doing the right thing—protecting you.
I know that. And thank you.
So…how are things?
Cal is in his disciplinary hearing right now. We know how it ends, but my stomach is still doing flips.
What are your plans?
We’re still working that out, but…
I snapped a picture of my ring and sent it.
HOLY COW! That thing’s HUGE!
She fired off a volley of emojis: “wow,” “bling,” “heart eyes.” I smiled. Truly smiled. The rift was still there and probably would be for a long time. But maybe we’d just put a few stitches in the wound.
Your birthday’s in a few weeks. Why don’t you come down (both of you) and make a long weekend of it? Kemah, Galveston, whatever you want.
I’ll talk to Cal, but…that sounds nice. I’ll call you later.
My phone was still in my hand when a low voice made me jump.
“Not surprised to find you up here today.”
I turned. Dr. Lemke stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, his tie a little loose like he’d already had a long morning.
“How’d you know I was here?”
He tilted his head toward the administration building. “Nice view of the Honors Court from my window.”
I managed a small smile. “Spying on students, Dr. Lemke?”
He chuckled, then sobered. “Part of the job.”
He stood quiet for a second, then came and sat beside me on the fountain’s rim. The stone was warm beneath my palms, baked through by the sun.
“I wanted to catch you before you left,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
