Lou
He's still sleeping. And probably will be until he hears my mom yell that dinner's ready. How's it going at your dad's?
Sam
Quinn is already drunk, and Jacob hasn't said much all night. My dad keeps yapping on about how much money he has and his new girlfriend is 25.
Lou
25?! That's only one year older than I am. And a year younger than you. Yikes!
Sam
I give it another month, two tops.
Lou
Very generous of you.
Oh my god. My aunt just asked me how my sex life is. She has no boundaries.
Sam
Just out of curiosity, what did you tell her?
Lou
Oh, wouldn't you like to know?
Sam
That is why I asked.
Lou
My mother chimed in before I had to answer and told her it's none of her damn business.
"No texting at the dinner table, Jacob." When I look up, I see Joel looking at Jacob with a stern look.
Jacob doesn't put his phone down and continues with whatever he was previously doing. "We aren't even eating yet."
"Well, it's still rude. You could engage in the conversation."
Jacob throws his phone down and his hands up. "Whatcould I possibly have to contribute to a conversation about vacation homes in Tuscany? Plus, no one can get a word in when you're going on and on about yourself."
"Fine, Jacob. You want to talk about you? How are your graduation requirements coming? I heard from my friend at the dental school that you may be falling behind."
"That is none of your damn business. And Dr. Mayes better watch what he says. It's against school policy for him to discuss my grades with you. I'd hate to have to report yourfriend." I can tell Jacob is starting to lose his cool.
"Are you avoiding my questions because you're embarrassed?" Joel presses.
Jacob hasn't hung out with Quinn and me for several months now. Is it because he really is falling behind? I know he was stressed about requirements last spring, but I figured he would have caught up by now. With only one semester left, he doesn't have much wiggle room. He also failed one of his board exams and had to retake it. From what I understand, it's not uncommon for students to fail at least one board exam due to how subjective dentistry can be.
Jacob has always put a lot of pressure on himself. I think being the oldest plays a part in it. He always felt like he had to set a good example for us. Jacob took our parents' divorce the hardest. Quinn and I were young enough that the memories of that time are foggy. Jacob remembers it all. And for some reason, our dad has always been toughest on Jacob. He was the one always telling Jacob to do something useful with his life, so Jacob went to dental school. Our dad put similar pressure on Quinn and me, but we both said "fuck it" and did what we wanted. Jacob didn't have that option.
Jacob didn't get in the first time he applied to dental school. Again, his classmates that I've met tell me that's verynormal, but Jacob saw it as a huge failure. He spent that whole gap year studying to retake his DAT and working at a dental office to boost his resume. He didn't get in the next year either. It's likely because he wasn't pursuing it out of passion.
If my dad was upset about the first time, he waslividabout the second. He straight up told Jacob he was an embarrassment and that even with him pulling some strings, Jacob still dropped the ball. I've never seen Jacob more upset in my life. Right now might top that.
