“Well, Mr. Rochester?” Miss Temple sets down her tea. “What do you think?”
“I think you need to lower the price of tuition,” I say. “Her vocabulary should be far more advanced than this.”
“Okay. No offense, but can I please speak with Adeline’s mother instead of you?”
“Her mother isn’t available at this time.”
“Can I have her phone number for later, then?”
“No,” I say. “I’ll handle it.”
“By doingwhat?”
“That’s none of your concern.” I sip my coffee. “You won’t have any more problems with her when she returns to London.”
“Actually, I’m staying in the States for two weeks so I can make sure she continues to practice for her Carnegie debut.”
“Excuse me?”
“There’s no point in me flying back to London if she’s going to escape soon after.” She looks genuinely concerned. “Is she sitting outside in your car? Can I speak to her?”
I take another sip of coffee, trying to think of a way to tell her she’s reached her question limit for today.
“I looked up the home address that’s on file for her, but it didn’t pop up.” She taps her phone screen. “I’d appreciate it if you could give me the right one, along with a decent time when I can come over every day.”
“I’ll get back to you on that.” I stand to my feet. “I don’t allow strangers in my house.”
“I’m herteacher.”
“That doesn’t mean I know you.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” She scoffs. “You’re saying that like you have something to hide. You’re a dean at a university and you come from a legacy family, Mr. Rochester. Get a grip on yourself.”
“I’ll pay for your flight home, and I’ll make sure she practices via Zoom calls with you,” I say. “I’ll even reimburse you for whatever you were planning to spend on a hotel. You can’t stay in this city past tomorrow.”
“Because you think you own Seattle?”
“This is the end of our conversation, Miss Temple.” I set two twenties on the table and head toward the door. “I’ll be in touch soon.”
“Don’t bother. You’re a terrible father.”
I look over my shoulder. “Come again?”
“I said what I said.” She stands, walking over to me. “No wonder Adeline is so fucked up and doesn’t know what ‘consequences’ are. Her rich-ass dad lets her get away with whatever she wants and allows her to take a first-class flight home to cry, instead of teaching her to suck it up and get over it like everyone else.”
“I take back what I said, Miss Temple.” I look at my watch. “Tomorrow seems a little too late. You can’t stay in this city pasttoday.”
“You need to let me have at least one practice session with Adeline.”
“I’ve already told you that’s not happening.” I take a step closer. “And if I were you, I’d finish your tea and head back to the airport. I’d do that right now.”
“What happens if I don’t?”
“Try me and fucking see.”
Her eyes widen at the coldness of my tone, and she takes a step back.
“Have a safe flight home.” I turn away and head outside to the parking lot.
