by Shane Woods
“Hi,” he says, hoping to make a good impression. Beth studies him for a long second.
“No, I don’t,” Beth responds to Rachel’s question. Jack’s smile withers slowly and embarrassingly.
“We knew each other in high school,” Jack reveals as if trying to convince himself as much as remind Beth.
“Oh.” Beth smiles with wide eyes, looking a bit like Helen Hunt trying to laugh at Mel Gibson in What Women Want.
“Jack is doing his graduate work at the institute this year,” Cliff advises in a negotiating tone. Cliff sees the writing on the wall. Beth is not going to make this easy for him.
“Good,” Beth replies, understanding her father’s message and dialing down the hostility a bit.
“Beth has been doing bacterial research in Africa for the CDC the past four months,” Cliff declares proudly to Jack. Not that Jack needs to be more impressed.
“Awesome,” Jack says, smiling wide as if answering the cue to be impressed. Beth smiles awkwardly at her father’s attempt to feed the stalker. She shoots Cliff a “please stop” smirk.
“Jack is doing cutting edge work over at the University, and I thought you two would work very well together,” Cliff suggests. Beth’s eyes widen at Cliff.
“Did you?” Beth replies with an accusatory tone at her father’s cupid like gesture. Cliff smiles proudly and nods affirmative. He enjoys the game of torturing his baby girl, especially when romance is the topic. Rachel feels the temperature of the conversation rising, and takes action.
“Jack, there is someone I’d like you to meet,” Rachel announces. She loops her hand under Jack’s arm stealthily and leads him away from the conversation. Beth stares awkwardly at Cliff, her eyes burning like a laser.
“What are you doing?” Beth accuses.
“Nothing,” Cliff defends. But of course he’s doing something. They all have a role to play in this game. Beth looks crossly at Cliff.
“Why?” she pleads. Cliff’s demeanor changes to a more relaxed tone.
“He’s the most advanced student I’ve ever seen. He’s being published next month on morphology. We need him Beth. You know that,” Cliff summarizes in a matter of fact tone. Cliff speaks in double entendres. Beth knows the institute needs a breakthrough. That much is obvious. But Cliff needs a little lightning to strike to appease Hicks. He keeps that from his family. No need to concern them about things out of their control. Beth sighs heavily and looks away. She understands the need is great, and knows she has a role to play in the family business. It doesn’t mean she has to like it.
“High school?” Beth retorts. Cliff smiles.
“Maybe he still has a crush on you,” Cliff jokes. Beth rolls her eyes and smiles. Cliff reciprocates.
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