Page 213 of Promising You
“You’re taking a lot of science courses. Are you planning on pursuing a career in science?”
Grace asks this just as I’m taking a bite of the roll. I finish chewing then say, “Yes, I’m thinking of going to med school.”
Arlin and Grace smile even wider, looking at each other then back at me.
“Jade, that’s wonderful,” Arlin says.
“Yes. You’re clearly a very bright young woman,” Grace says. “I barely passed chemistry when I was in college.”
I ask her where she went to college, which keeps the conversation going for a good 10 minutes. Then Arlin tells me abouthiscollege days just as our meals arrive.
Now that we’re all talking I’m feeling more relaxed. As we eat I tell them about Frank and Ryan and growing up in Des Moines. I don’t mention my mom and they don’t mention Royce. Those are off-limit topics, at least for now while we’re getting to know each other.
When the waitress clears our plates, Arlin insists we get dessert. I was planning to leave so I could look over my notes for a quiz I have later. But I can tell Grace wants me to stay longer, so I order the chocolate torte. During dessert I ask Grace what she does when she’s in Florida and she tells me all about her flower gardens. She says she’s a Master Gardener, whatever that is.
“If you’d ever like to come visit we’d love to have you,” Grace says, sipping her cappuccino.
“Yes, anytime, Jade,” Arlin says. “You can take our private plane.”
“I’ll think about it. I’m pretty busy with school right now so I don’t know.” Although they both seem really nice, I’m not sure if I’m ready to go to their house for a visit. “I should really be getting back to campus. I have chem lab at 1.”
Grace quickly sets her cup down and pats her lips with her napkin. “Yes, of course. We didn’t mean to keep you.”
“It’s okay.” I get up and put my jacket on. Arlin and Grace push their chairs out and come around the table to stand in front of me. “Thank you for lunch.” I smile awkwardly, not sure how to end this.
Arlin puts his hand out. “Maybe we could do this again sometime.”
“Sure.” I shake his hand and look over at Grace. “Next time you’re up here just let me know.”
“Would next week be too soon?” she asks cautiously.
She wants to fly up here again just for lunch? I guess she likes me.
“Um, no, that’s not too soon.”
Her eyes light up and she hugs me, which I was not at all prepared for. I loosely hug her back and she backs away, realizing it might too early for that.
“Let’s say a week from today,” Arlin says in a take-charge tone. “Same time. Same place. Unless you’d like to go somewhere else.”
“No, this place is fine. I’ll see you next week.”
As I start to leave, I hear Arlin behind me. “Jade.” He comes over with his wallet in his hand and takes out a $100 bill. “I almost forgot to give you this.”
I feel like he’s paying me for showing up for lunch and it makes me tense up. “No, I don’t need it.”
Actually, Idoneed it because I have no money, not even a quarter, and I don’t want to have to ask Ryan for money.
Arlin senses my hesitation and steps closer, lowering his voice. “It’s from Pearce. To reimburse you for the cab ride last week.”
“Oh. Yeah, okay. Thanks.” I take the bill and put it in my purse.
“Goodbye, Jade,” Arlin says, smiling. “We’ll see you soon.”
As I walk to the car, I have to remind myself that those two people were my grandparents. My real grandparents. It doesn’t even seem possible. The journey to get to this place was completely insane. Their son destroyed my mom. Destroyed my childhood. Tried to kill me. And I just had lunch with his parents. Very weird.
Back on campus I race up to the second floor to tell Garret about the lunch, but then turn and go back down to my room, realizing I’m not supposed to be up there. I hate not being able to go up to his room. I desperately want to talk to him and I can’t and it’s driving me crazy.
I check my phone just in case he slipped up and accidentally called or texted me. But he didn’t.
