Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 131651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 658(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 658(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
“You need to listen to your teacher, Kit.”
A small girlish voice buzzes from the other end of the phone.
“Yes, even if you think she’s wrong. Especially then. I know you hate settling for Narnia for the book report. You’re just summarizing the story, not getting deep into symbolism. Keep it simple, girl.” He laughs again, his shoulders shaking. “Fine. Maybe you could write an essay on how much seven shows up in the story, but you’d scare the other kids. I promise it gets better. Give it a few years, and they’ll have you reading James Joyce. Bored me half to death in high school.”
I press my hand over my mouth. I love how ambitious she is and how she must keep Holden on his toes, raising a little smarty-pants.
I had it rough too. I wasn’t always the best student, but I read well above my grade level.
“I know,” Holden says. “But I’m sure Mrs. LeMay knows what she’s talking about.” He shifts, glancing back to see me watching him. A blush lights my cheeks.
Sorry, I mouth.
At least he looks more relaxed than the last time this happened.
“Hey, Kit, I have to go,” he says. He smiles at me, and the relief in the base of my stomach makes me dizzy. “Just remember your homework isn’t pointless even if it feels so easy it’s boring, little brainiac.”
The contrast between Holden and Dad hits me again.
My father barely stayed on top of my parent-teacher conferences. He didn’t care about anything except art. As long as I kept my grades up and I was on track for college, the rest didn’t matter.
That’s nothing like what I’m seeing here, a dad who cares. I inhale sharply.
“Bye, Kit. Love you too.”
When he hangs up, I smile and walk over. “Sorry for disturbing you. I didn’t mean to cut you short.”
“Nah, it’s okay.” He scratches the back of his head. “She’s not enjoying English. Might have to get her in some advanced classes next year. She could probably start earning college credits early.”
“Oh, wow. And you were worried about the teenage years? Throw her in with older kids and she’ll grow up lightning fast.”
He stares off into the distance fondly.
“Yeah, that’s the dilemma. Mentally, she’s a normal ten-year-old, innocent as hell. Intellectually, she’s running circles around me some days. It’s tough to find balance.” His nose wrinkles. “She’s a horribly precocious girl. English and history are her best subjects, and she’s driving her teachers crazy, wanting special privileges and advanced books that might get her into trouble.”
“Oh, that’s awesome.” I smile. “Would it kill them to indulge her?”
“Believe me, most of them do. As much as school policy allows. Just wish she was this well rounded with math.” He grins and shakes his head. “You talk to her, the only math anyone ever needs is basic arithmetic. She’ll go out of her way to remind you AI will take over physicists soon anyway. That’s better than the calculator excuse I had as a kid.”
I don’t tell him she’s absolutely right. I haven’t done more than basic arithmetic and reading graphs since high school. With AI in the mix… Oh man.
The bad news is it’s also going to drive some people off the deep end. I remember the trouble that came knocking at Margot’s door and shudder.
“Anyway,” he says. “Do you have news for me?”
“Actually, yes,” I say. “I called Jasper Fairfax this morning.”
He turns to fully face me, focusing with a bearish intensity I find wickedly sexy. “And? How was it?”
“I told him I’ve decided to wait and explore my options. It wasn’t what he wanted to hear, and I don’t know if it’s what you love hearing, either, but—”
I link my fingers together awkwardly.
“Nile, it’s not about me. You know that,” he says. “I’m surprised you shut him down. It’s a good thing, though. You have to do you.”
“Well, it wasn’t easy. I had to go with my conscience—and yeah, I guess I had Gramps whispering in my ear.”
He nods.
“I’m glad you did. I’ll make peace with sticking around a little longer.” He rests his elbows behind him, against the railings, the wind ruffling his hair.
My art brain switches on.
He’s so effortlessly interesting, begging to be immortalized.
I wince. “I’m sorry about that. Kit, too. She must miss you like crazy. I hate that I’m keeping you here.”
Actually, part of me isn’t sorry at all. If I’m stuck with a giant, at least it’s one who cooks and looks this good.
A girl has eyes.
And this girl enjoys what she sees every time his eyes flash sternly.
“She’ll survive.” Holden smiles. A real one. “That was always part of the deal. I knew what I was getting into when I accepted.”
“You were pissed about the terms and conditions,” I point out.
“I still agreed to the lawyer’s fine print, didn’t I.” He hesitates, frowning and glancing back over the rocky shore. His throat moves, but he doesn’t speak.