I twirled the end of my hair. “I’m feeling better.”
“Piper, do you think I can email my notes from your computer? I didn’t bring my laptop charger.” Matt said loudly.
“Who’s that?” Brody asked.
“Matt,” I licked my lips. “We are working on coursework for the semester.”
“Already? You just got there,” he said. His tone was crisp.
I was about to answer when I heard what had to be the front doorbell ring.
“Okay. Well, I shouldn’t keep you,” Brody said.
“Wait. Sorry!” I replied.
My mom appeared in the door wearing Dior dress and heels. I watched her face scrunch as she took in my room, but brighten when she landed on Matt. “Well, who is this, Piper?”
He was up on his feet holding out his hand to greet her. “I’m Matt. Piper’s new friend,” he said and grinned at her.
I glared at him. “Matt’s a classmate who’s leaving now.”
I got back to Brody. “My mom’s here.”
“I guess I should let you go,” Brody said. I could hear the hurt in his voice.
“I’m sorry. Can I please call you later?” I asked.
“If you have time,” he said and blew out into the phone. “Wait. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’m sorry I have to go.”
“Okay. I love you,” he said.
“I love you too,” I whispered. He hung up before me, and I flushed. I pressed my mouth into a thin line.
“I think I better go,” Matt said. “See you soon and thanks, Piper. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Rowe.”
“Mrs. Harrington. Nice to meet you too,” My mother gave him one of her radiant smiles. “You should go and see him out, Piper.”
“No, I shouldn’t. He came in as Nora’s guest first,” I said.
“I’m not bothered. She’s crushing on me,” he said and before I could throw something at him was gone from my room.
Her gaze followed after him. “There was no reason to be so rude. He’s delightful. He seems nice, and he’s good looking and in college. What is his last name? I could ask Royce if he knows his family.”
“I don’t want to hear a thing about Royce,” I snapped. “You heard me as clear as water on the phone. I said ‘I love you’ to Brody.”
“Yeah, well you think you’re in love. I had thought as much at your age too. Now in regards to Royce, he wants to make things right between the two of you,” she said.
I didn’t expect her to understand my feelings for Brody, but I wasn’t about to entertain any reunion with Royce. “Not going to happen, Mom. I don’t even want to hear about him. He attacked me at your house—”
“Stop, I didn’t come here to talk about that,” she held up her hand. “I came here because you’re my daughter, and I want to save our relationship. I want to hear about how you are doing.”
“I’m fine. I’m getting things set for school,” I said. “Would you like to have something to drink or eat? I haven’t been grocery shopping, but I’m sure Nora won’t mind me borrowing something.”
“Sure.” She agreed.
We went into the kitchen, and I filled the electric kettle next to the stove. “Tea and.…” I eyed the coffee cakes on the counter. “Tea and cakes?”
“Rice cakes?” she asked.
“No, coffee cake.”
“Half a slice,” she said. I took out small plates and forks and set out two slices of the coffee cake. I then made Earl Grey tea for the two of us.
“I may have a buyer for the bike. I have the will that says it’s mine. Are you sure he left the bike to someone else?” I asked.
She smirked. “Most likely. He was always making promises he couldn’t keep. He was always hiding things. I was naïve and gave him the benefit of the doubt when we were younger, but then when I wised up and started questioning him. I found he was up to his ears in debt! My guess is he probably wrote more than one will promising the bike to one of those Journeymen losers. He was in their debt once he lost my financial support. I mean even after the divorce he’d come begging for help. What kind of a man does that?”
My stomach churned. One that needed you, and you loved and took on for better or worse. One that went into debt to give you all he could and was lost without you. I doubted my dad wrote more than one will. She just couldn’t see any good in him once he needed to lean on her. “I’ve got a lot to do today. So if you don’t mind, can we cut this visit short?”
“I do, we haven’t caught up yet. You haven’t even asked about me,” she said sadly.
“You’re right. Please get me caught up on how you’re doing,” I said.
She launched into a story about everyone within a two-mile radius of her and Royce. I nodded and sipped my tea and ate my cake. All the time I couldn’t help but think that my mother left my father groveling for her help, just like she had done me. I’d decided right then and there I’d never take from her again. Or anyone else; if I could sell that bike. I’d need to speak with Luna or Hatchet to be sure. Once she was done, she beamed at me.
“I miss talking to you. I hate it when we fight,” she said.
“Me too,” I said and rubbed my stomach. “You know, Mom. I’m sick, and I think I’m going to lay down before I go back to working on my course work.”
“Okay. We’ll get together soon,” she said and reached into her handbag and pulled out her purse. “Here is a little something you can use.”
I folded my arms. “Please don’t. I don’t need your money.”
“You could use a decent duvet. Some groceries,” she said. She removed three crisp hundred-dollar bills.
“No. Thank you,” I said with my voice raised.
“Don’t be silly. You need it,” She dropped the money on the kitchen table and stood up. “Good to see you. Next time I’ll treat you to spa and lunch. It will be so much fun.”
I didn’t say anything just took the hug she had for me. “You need your hair styled. We could go to the salon. God, it’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you,” she said.
“You too, Mom,” I said and walked her out to her car. When she was gone, I cursed and went back upstairs and locked the door.
“She gone?” Jorge asked walking out of Nora’s bedroom.
“You heard,” I said and slumped my shoulders. He tugged me over to sit on the couch.
“Oh, and she came bearing gifts too. The money on the table is yours if you want it,” I offered. I got up and went into the kitchen and picked it up and held the money out toward him. “I owe you for the summer.”
“Not on your life,” he said.
“Oh, you will take it,” I said, and he got up and started half running around the limited space in the living room. I tackled him on the floor and stuffed the bills in the back of his starched shirt.
“Hey, you’re creasing me,” he complained. We laughed.
“So good to laugh with you again,” he said. “The rest of the summer sucked. Eric broke up with his girlfriend. He was mopey.”
My lips parted. “Mopey on the computer?”
“He couldn’t play because they played on the same level or something like that. But something good came out of the rest of it all. I have my first job offer.”
“Congratulations,” I said to him.
“Thanks,” he said. I was heading back to my room when he spoke again. “You going to start working ahead?
I flicked my gaze at him. “Yeah, I suppose.”
“Can I work with you? I’ll grab my books and use your computer?” he asked.
He didn’t usually ask, but we weren’t as in sync as we had been before. I still wanted us to be again, so I said. “Yeah. Okay.”
I went back into the bedroom and set myself up on the bed with my laptop. A few minutes later, Jorge came in with his books, and we studied until Nora showed up in the doorjamb. “Dinner?” she asked.
“Takeout?” Jorge said flashing one of my mom’s hundred dollar bills.
I t
ouched my sour stomach. “Knock yourself out. I’m not hungry.”
“What about a taco salad?” he asked.
I grinned. “Well, that may be worth the risk.”
He chuckled. “I knew you’d say that. I’ll order it…glad to have you back.”
I plastered on a smile. “It’s good to be back.”
He left, and I collected my cell phone. It was dead and after plugged it in, it came back to life enough to alert me to a text message from Brody.
I’ll try you again later. I miss you.
I called him back. “Sorry, I got busy with my mother.”
“It’s fine. I understand. I can’t expect to have all your attention now. I just wanted to find out how the rest of your day went.”
“It was okay. Mom is nuts and tried to buy me, but I didn’t fall for it.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, and I explained.
“Well. She’s speaking to you. That’s better than…” he didn’t finish, but I knew what he was going to say. He didn’t have any relationship with his parents.
“I’m sorry, Brody,” I said.
“Dinner will be here in five minutes,” Jorge called out.
“You should go and have dinner,” he said.
“We’ll have to try to Skype next time,” I said.
“I’d like that.” He paused. “Talk to you soon. I…I miss you, Sprite.”
A pang went through my chest. “I miss you too.”
I stared down at the phone for a minute, then got up and went into the kitchen to help with dinner.
Chapter Twenty
Piper
“PIPER AND MATT,” Professor Gilmore called from his ajar door for us to go inside his office.
Deja vu. Sort of.
I had been standing here at the end of last semester waiting to talk with Professor Gilmore after Matt met with him. This time, we were waiting to meet with him together for one of our bi-weekly meetings. The past few weeks had been grueling. We hadn’t had a chance to catch our breaths. The semester had started with work before classes and had only built up from there. We had been all over Boston soliciting and conducting interviews for podcasts, research and investigating global events, as well as discussing and debating our findings in class. When we weren’t doing that, we were writing. A lot of writing. All under the direction of Professor Gilmore. Now I understood why Professor Gilmore kept the group small and was in charge of all the courses for the semester. It wasn’t a typical semester. It was working as a real journalist.
Matt motioned for me to go in first, and we sat down in front of Professor Gilmore’s desk. Professor Gilmore was posed with his hands steepled on his bearded chin. His thick grey hair was a mass of curls that was sticking out from tunneling his hands through it. He was in one of his loud t-shirts and blue jeans, a brightly-colored scarf around his neck.
“I have reviewed your team podcast on YouTube and the two recent interviews with a government representative and local activist. I have also read your recent article on the deficit of funding in mental health and crime. I noticed it was picked up by the Boston Herald. Your teamwork has been stellar and demanded my attention. Tell me the rest.”
“They were also mentioned on the local news,” Matt asserted.
“What else?” Professor Gilmore said.
“We have a meeting with a representative from the mayor’s office to present some of the research we hve gathered,” I said.
“What else. Global standards?” he asked.
“We are in contact with a couple of programs in Britain and Europe—for a follow up on standards and practices,” Matt said.
“That is definitely a good start. Good work,” Professor Gilmore said. “As you know, I have high expectations of my ten for the global program. All of your community investigation, liaising and connecting with local leaders distinguishes you from the casual reporter. You are going beyond, as you will need to in this day and age to become a working journalist. Gone are the days I lived. You need to be better, and able to adapt and do more. This will help with our program in South America. I will expect you do the same there.”
“We will,” Matt assured. I nodded.
“You may want to, but this doesn’t come without risk,” he said. “My most recent group had a problem. One of the students was arrested under the suspicion of spying. He has only recently been released, and he’s not able to come back. This, of course, is the risk of some types of global reporting. Our work isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s necessary.”
“Yes, it is. I’m not afraid. I’m all in,” Matt said confidently.
Professor Gilmore smiled. “I believe you are, but safety is still paramount which is why you must both have your affairs in order for our trip. I’m hoping to get our group out before the end of this year. That means you may be spending your Christmas in South America. How do you feel about that?
“I’m there. I’ll celebrate later,” Matt said with a sheepish grin.
“Piper?” Professor Gilmore asked.
Pain gripped my chest at the idea of not seeing my lover, family or friends. My mind was weighted with worry. But this was what I wanted to do. Right? I hadn’t realized just how hard it was to stay connected from a distance. The one thing I had to count on was spending time with them over Christmas before I had to leave them for five months. I was so lost in my thoughts it took Matt nudging my knee to get to my answer for Professor Gilmore who was waiting. “Yes. I understand. I will be ready.”
“Good. Now, as I said you need to get your paperwork in. Your full medical, background checks, and immunization records,” he said.
“I have mine,” Matt said taking out a folder from his case.
“Give it to my assistant and she’ll make a copy as well as get your consent. Piper?” he asked.
“I have an appointment at the health clinic today. I’ll bring by my paperwork—”
“As soon as possible,” Professor Gilmore said. “Keep up the good work, you two. I’m still intrigued by the two of you.”
We rose and walked out the door. We hadn’t gotten two steps from the room before Matt was nagging me.
“The clinical information was due this week,” Matt complained.
“So are a billion other assignments,” I grumbled. “I’m on my way over to the clinic now.”
“Do that,” he said. “We’re at the top. I want to stay that way.”
“Professor Gilmore didn’t say we were,” I said.
“Oh, come now,” he smirked. “He said enough. You need a ride? I’ve got my car.”
I shook my head. “I’d prefer the walk.” I quickly left the hall before he insisted. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d walk me over to make sure I did it.
When I got there, I took one of the clipboards, filled out my information and brought it back up to the nurse behind the desk.
“Are you on any medication?” she asked looking over my chart.
I glanced around. “Just birth control pills. Oh. I’d like to get the implant.”
“That’s a different appointment. What was the date of your last period?”
I chewed my lip. “I think a few weeks ago. I’ve got a double class load. I can’t remember.”
“Alright. We’ll give you a blood and urine test, but in regard to changing your birth control, you’ll have to make a new appointment. I can get a refill on your current prescription if you are out?”
“Yeah. Thank you,” I said politely.
“Do you have a copy of your immunization?”
I dug through my bag and handed it to her. She looked through the papers and made notes. Then said, “If you sign the consent, we can leave a message on your phone with the test results, schedule for the additional immunizations, and give you times for the rest?”
“Yes. That’s great.” I signed the consent form then took a seat. It took another half an hour before I was called back and she took the samples and the paperwork that I was informed I’d need to come
back to pick up later. I went to pay my student co-pay for the appointment when my phone buzzed. Seren? It went into voicemail before I could answer it, but I quickly called her when I reached outside.
“Hi, is this a good time?” she asked.
The wind whipped up, and I moved closer to the building. Truthfully it wasn’t, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell her. “Yes. How are you?”
“Nervous. Cole got the call, and he might need to leave soon,” she said sadly.
I sunk down on the steps. “I’m so sorry, Seren. When do you think he will be back?”
“Can’t say. It’s sometimes short and other time’s, it’s months,” she said. “I’m just having a hard time handling it after the wedding.”
“Have you discussed this with Cole? He is good at meeting the issue head on. If you are upset, you must tell him. He loves and adores you and don’t forget you have Brody. He’ll support you, or you can come here with him next week? I’d love to see you.” I started walking down the path towards my next class.
“No. Fiona and Doc are already on their way so Brody can see you. Besides, he needs his own time with you.”
I lowered my head. “He’s been busy.” We had both been busy. I barely had time to talk with him.
“Even so he misses you…I couldn’t be happier with the two of you together.”
“I’d still see him, and I’d get to see you; that’s a bonus for me,” I said stopping in front of my next lecture hall.
“I can’t believe how understanding you have been about us. I wish I could come out to see you, but the truth of the matter is Dr. Friedman hasn’t been too keen on me leaving the area,” she said.
My pulse sped up. “Oh, did something happen?” I asked.
She was barely audible, and I had to ask her to repeat herself.
“No. She’s just cautious. I’m fine, don’t worry,” she said.
“You know that’s not possible. Please, if you want to come out just do. I’ll send a message to Brody about bringing you. I love you.”
“Next time,” she said. “I love you too. Oh, and thank you for updating my website.”
“Anytime. I must get to class. I’ll call you later?”
“Yeah, please,” she said and ended the call. Next weekend. Brody. I smiled and ran the rest of the way to my class.
Piper Dreams: Make It Happen (Dream Series Book 2) Page 20