Chapter 50 (2/2)
”That's helpful of him,” I say appreciatively. I can get to know him too. Perhaps he can give me more insight into his strange, disturbing brother.
”So what did you do last night?” I ask. She cocks her head at me and raises her eyebrows in a what-do-think-stupid-look.
”Pretty much what you did, though we had dinner first.” She grins at me. ”Are you okay reallyYou look kind of overwhelmed.”
”I feel overwhelmed. Christian is very intense.”
”Yeah, I could see how he could be. But he was good to you?”
”Yes,” I reassure her. ”I'm really hungry, shall I cook?”
She nods and picks up two more books to pack.
”What do you want to do with the fourteen thousand dollar books?” she asks.
”I'm going to return them to him.”
”Really?”
”It's a completely over-the-top gift. I can't accept it, especially now.” I grin at Kate, and she nods.
”I understand. A couple of letters came for you, and Jose has been calling every hour on the hour. He sounded desperate.”
”I'll call him,” I mutter evasively. If I tell Kate about Jose, she'll have him for breakfast. I collect the letters from the dining table and open them.
”Hey, I have interviews! The week after next, in Seattle, for intern placements!”
”For which publishing house?”
”For both of them!”
”I told you your GPA would open doors, Ana.”
Kate, of course, already has an internship set up at the Seattle Times. Her father knows someone, who knows someone.
”How does Elliot feel about you going away?” I ask.
Kate wanders into the kitchen, and for the first time this evening, she's disconsolate.
”He's understanding. Part of me doesn't want to go, but it's tempting to lie in the sun for a couple of weeks. Besides, Mom is hanging in there, thinking this will be our last real family holiday before Ethan and I head off into the world of paid employment.”
I have never left continental US. Kate is off to Barbados with her parents and her brother Ethan for two whole weeks. I'll be Kateless in our new apartment. That will be weird. Ethan has been traveling the world since he graduated last year. I wonder briefly if I'll see him before they go on vacation. He's such a lovely guy. The phone rings, jolting me from my reverie.
”That'll be Jose.”
I sigh. I know I have to talk to him. I grab the phone.
”Hi.”
”Ana, you're back!” Jose shouts his relief at me.
”Obviously.” Sarcasm drips from my voice, and I roll my eyes at the phone.
He's silent for a moment.
”Can I see youI'm sorry about Friday night. I was drunk... and you... well. Ana -
please forgive me.”
”Of course, I forgive you Jose. Just don't do it again. You know I don't feel like that about you.”