Page 110

That was surprisingly astute for Walter. “I guess it does give me the chance for a fresh start.”
“Exactly. Now you can get more involved in the family business. That would make your parents awfully happy.”
I looked toward the ceiling for a moment. I didn’t even have it in me to argue. Because he was right. My family would take me back with open arms—probably even let me work as an assistant or something until they could get me married off to someone as vanilla bean as Walter. And they would pat themselves on the back thinking about how much they’d helped, not caring how miserable I was along the way.
For the rest of dinner, he asked me about my skills and what I’d learned in college. It was like the worst possible combination of a job interview and a date.
“You know,” he said. “I’m actually looking at getting an assistant. Maybe I could put you in to your father?”
A weathered hand gripped my shoulder, and I looked up to see Grandpa Chester. He was like sunshine bursting through rain clouds. I stood and hugged him tight, already near tears. “Hi, Grandpa.”
“Hi, sugar. How are you?”
“Great now.” I grinned at him, then spotted Grandma Karen behind him.
I gave her a hug, and she kissed my cheek, surely leaving a red lipstick stain that always drove my own mother insane. “It’s so good to see you.”
“You too,” she said. “Why don’t you introduce us to your friend?”
“This is Walter,” I said, gesturing toward him.
He stood, wiping his hand on a paper napkin, then said, “I should probably get back to the office, but it was nice meeting you folks.”
Grandpa Chester waved with an amused smile, but as soon as he walked away, his lips settled into a frown. “Beatrice Karen Melrose. What in the hell was that?”
62
BIRDIE
Confession: I want to make my grandparents proud.
Suddenly, I felt like I was five years old again, trying to let their pet finches out of the cage. “I-I-” I began, not sure how to finish.
“Let’s sit down,” Grandma said, settling into the booth where Walter and I had been. She carefully took the plates and stacked them near the edge of the table so Betsy could grab them on her way by.
Grandpa was still watching me, though, waiting for my answer.
“It’s a long story,” I said.
“We have time,” he deadpanned.
I shook my head, not wanting to explain to my grandpa, one of my all-time heroes, how acquainted I’d become with rock bottom.
Grandma reached across the table, covering my hand with her own. “We’re here for you, sweetie.”
My eyes stung at her kindness. I knew I’d gone far too long without telling them about my job and my failures with Cohen, so I opened up. “I was on a date with him.”
“That suit?” Grandpa said, confused. “What did he say about you working at your father’s office? What happened with Cohen? Why would you ever leave that school when we both know you’re doing what you love?”
I shook my head, wiping at my eyes. “I got fired, Grandpa.”
He and my grandma looked astonished.
“What?” Grandma said. “What happened? Was it that woman? I’ll give her a piece of my mind, and she won’t even know what hit her.”
“No, no, no. Cohen was a dad at the school, and dating parents is against the rules. The headmaster found out.”
The lines on Grandpa’s forehead deepened. “That’s a stupid fucking rule.”