Page 115 of That Fake Feeling

Iclose my eyes and rub the bridge of my nose.Whycan’t she understand that just because the computer says it’s paid, doesn’t mean it has been.Itis possible for the computer to be wrong.

“I’mcertain it’s a mistake.”Ido my best to keep my voice slow and even. “Ifyou could just clear it, or reset it, or whatever you need to do, thenIcan make the electronic payment right now.”

“It’spaid.”

Oh, my goodGod.Itreally is like having a conversation with a robot.Abroken one. “Itcan’t be.LikeIsaid,Ihaven’t paid it.”

“AndlikeIsaid, it’s been settled by an unauthorized payer.”Great, she’s getting snippy.

Howthe hell could this have happened?Maybesomeone else’s payment has accidentally been credited to my account. “Who?Whodoes your system say paid it?”

“I’mnot authorized to give you that information.”

“Butit’s my account.”

“Financialinformation is private.”

“Yes, but this ismyfinancial information.It’sprivate tome.”

“Butthe person who paid it isn’t you.”

Isqueeze my eyes shut and bang the heel of my hand into my forehead. “Yes.Iknow that.That’swhyI’masking who paid it, so we can figure out where the mistake is.”

“Ifit’s not you,Ican’t tell you about it.”

Ifall back into the chair. “So, my tuition has been paid.Notby me.Butby an unauthorized person.Andyou can’t tell me who it is?”

“Yes.”

“Sohow doIresolve that?”

“There’snothing to resolve.It’sall paid.”

Oh, for the love ofGod. “Imean, how doIfind out who paid it, if you can’t tell me?”

Shesnorts. “Isit that hard to figure out?Doyou know a lot of people who might mysteriously pay your tuition for you?”

“Idon’t know anyone who would pay my—”

Oh, shit.Isit bolt upright.

Hewouldn’t, would he?Whywould he do that?

Anemail notification pops up in the corner of my screen.It’sfrom the student loan company.Christ, didtheysomehow pay my tuition by mistake?

Iclick on the email.

It’sa statement.

Showinga zero balance.

Allmy student loans are clear.

I’vekept the loans as small asIpossibly could by working, but they were still a lot.

Thisis too much of a coincidence.

“Hello?” snaps the snippy robot lady. “Hello?”