Look the Part
by Jewel E. Ann
Self-Published
Flint Hopkins finds the perfect tenant to rent the space above his Minneapolis-based law office.
All the t’s are crossed and i’s dotted on Ellen’s application. Her references are good. And she’s easy on the eyes.
Until …
Flint discovers Ellen Rodgers, Board-Certified Music Therapist, plays music. Bongos, guitars, singing—not Beethoven administered through noise-cancelling headphones.
The cut-throat attorney serves up an eviction notice to the bubbly, constantly-humming redhead who's too sexy for her own good. But luck is on Ellen’s side when Flint’s autistic son, Harrison, takes an instant liking to her. A single dad can’t compete with guitars—and rats. Yes, she has pet rats.
This woman …
She’s annoyingly happy with a constant need to touch him—adjust his tie, button his shirt, invade his space, and mess with his mind.
Still …
She must go.
Genre
Triggers
Loss of spouse, drunk driving, alcoholism, child on the spectrum, difficult divorce
I had a feeling after reading One (a standalone in the Jack & Jill series) that there would one day be a book about Flint. There was just too many breadcrumbs of his story for there not to be.
I didn't know Jewel E. Ann had already written in until my best friend told me.
So of course, I had to read it.
I loved it!
The story, the romance, the characters - perfect.
The Flint we meet in One was an interesting character. He is grumpy and pessimistic - and deeply depressed, even if that isn't put into words. His backstory is tragic, but unlike other stories I've read, is self-done.
Which is why he punishes himself.
While he is a darker personality, his dry sense of humor, and his obvious and deep love for his son and those select few he let's in, makes him easy to forgive and like.
Elle is just fun. Despite coming out of a terrible divorce, she is sunny, and positive. Absolutely loving and passionate.
Essentially the exact opposite of Flint's character, which is one of my favorite types of romances.
Plus, she has pet rats, and rats are awesome.
The tension throughout this book, the banter between these two characters, the romance, and yes, the sex, make Look The Part an absolute hit for me.
Without getting into spoilers, Jewel E. Ann has a way of writing difficult subject matter without it coming off as gross.
Flint does a terrible thing. He admits to it. Everyone agrees it's terrible. He pays for it everyday.
I also enjoyed Jewel's addition Harrison, Flint's son, and the fact that he is on the spectrum. Considering all three of my children are on the spectrum, I always love seeing representation in books, but also nervous, because its so easy to cross a line.
Everyone's experience with autism is different, and every person on the spectrum is different.
I felt like Jewel did a good job representing some aspects of autism. She did it respectfully. It wasn't shameful, just a part of their lives. As a caregiver, I appreciated Flint's constant worry over his son. It felt authentic, especially because it wasn't easy.
Look The Part, despite having one of my least favorite tropes (and no, I'm not saying what it is, because spoilers), it still ended up being a great read for me. If you love the Jack & Jill series, and loved One, you will love Look The Part. Hell, even if you haven't read the other books, you will enjoy this book.
Amanda: “Hello, Attorney Flint Hopkin’s office. Amanda speaking … Yes … Okay … I’ll let him know. Thank you for calling. Have a fantastic day.”
Who says fantastic? The word comes from fantasy which means not real. My secretary, who did not come with a proper warning, tells everyone who calls here to have a “not real” day. She should work at Disney World.
Flint: “What’s that sound?”
I ease into my chair and pull a sandwich out of the brown bag, glancing up at the ceiling.
Amanda: “Ellen. She moved her stuff in over the weekend. Painted too.”
Flint: “And?”
I squint at the ceiling as the bang bang bang continues.
Amanda: “And she’s seeing clients today. Drums now. But it was guitar and singing about an hour ago. Wheels on the Bus.”
Flint: “Explain.”
I unwrap my sandwich, cringing at the racket. Amanda flips her blond hair over her shoulder.
Amanda: “Well, it’s about a bus and the wheels going round and round, people going up and down, the horn beep—”
I cut her off with a look—maybe the look. This is why I have to fire her every day.
Amanda: “I assumed you knew. You’re the smartest guy I know. It’s like my idol has fallen today. I no longer see you as an all-knowing god, but just a mortal of average intelligence like the rest of us.”
Flint: “So you’ll be out in two weeks?”
Amanda’s gaze flits between us like we really are in a boxing ring.
Ellen: “I’m kind, Mr. Hopkins. Not weak.”
Amanda: “Stop being so …”
She purses her lips to the side.
Amanda: “You.”
Flint: “Me?”
Amanda: “Elle is short for Ellen. Just like Flint is short for Flinton.”
I return my attention to my computer. She knows damn well my name is not Flinton. I’m tired of acknowledging her lunacy.
Flint: “You’re fired.”
Amanda: “Yay me! I was worried you were about to let me squeak by today without firing me. See you Monday.”
Harrison: “He’s always watching it on TV with his friend.”
Ellen: “Your dad has a friend?”
I clear my throat and walk around the corner.
Flint: “Don’t sound so surprised, Ms. Rodgers. I might have more than one friend.”
Harrison: “No.”
Harrison shakes his head.
Harrison: “Just the one.”
Ellen: “Good evening, Flint.”
Flint: “You can call me Mr. Hopkins.”
I push the button to the elevator.
Ellen: “Mmm, my landlord likes to role play. Me too.”
Ellen: “I’m going to miss tidying you up, Mr. Hopkins. I like to think of myself as an expert on suits, and I can say with one hundred percent certainty that no man has ever looked this good in a suit.”
His jaw clenches once and his lips part. I could lift onto my toes and taste them. But seriously, I think he would bite me.
Flint: “You’re out of line,”
he whispers with a deep tone of warning. I slide his tie through my fingers, holding just the tip of it for a few seconds before letting it fall back to his chest.
Ellen: “Well, you know what they say—rules are made to be broken and lines are drawn to be crossed.”
I step back. His gaze follows me—my breasts, my lips—before landing on my eyes. He’s a beautiful, dark man. So dark. Why? I’ll probably never know.
Ellen: “See you tomorrow. We’ll start planning my going-away party.”
I wink before turning and grabbing my bag and Mozart.
Ellen: “For my party…”
I walk toward my car without another glance back
Ellen: “…think about wearing a three-piece suit. I love what you have on today.”
I whistle a cat call.
Ellen: “Mmm mmm … but the addition of a vest like you wore the day we met could make my panties fall right off.”
Ellen: “How do you know Flint?”
I can’t hold back my grin.
Flint: “He’s my landlord.”
Ellen: “Sex in a Suit?”
She whips her head back toward him. Flint’s eyebrows shoot up his forehead. I chuckle. Alone. Why am I the only one who sees the humor in this?
Flint: “I’m going with Seduction in a Suit from now on. He fumbled the ball at the last second, which is a little surprising given his college football experience.”
Amanda: “Oh …”
Her eyes affix to my arm where the bandages peek out at the cuff of my sleeve.
Amanda: “What happened?”
Ellen: “I …”
Flint eyes me like pressing the tip of a sword to my carotid artery.
Ellen: “Rough sex.”
I grin at Amanda.
Ellen: “Roleplaying taken a little too far.”
Her face flushes around her cow eyes.
Amanda: “You’re joking,”
she whispers. I give her a noncommittal wink.
Amanda: “Okay then … fantastic. I’ll see you later.”
After the door closes behind her, I set my cake on her desk and lean against the doorframe to his office.
Ellen: “Happy birthday.”
Flint: “We didn’t have sex.”
He keeps his focus on the contents of the file folder in front of him, thumbing through the pages.
Ellen: “We did. I finished out the scenario in my head when I got home last night. I was amazing. You were just okay. I have to say … you’re the first guy I’ve been with who cried during your orgasm. What you lacked in manliness, you made up for with complete tenderness. I will always remember the soft caress of your tears falling onto my cheeks.”
I smile a toothy grin.
Ellen: “Consider stroking your dick yesterday your birthday gift from me. No need to send a thank you card. I’m sure you’d outsource it to Amanda and that would rob all sincerity.”
Flint: “Twelve days. Now go.”
Ms. Rodgers. Ms. Rodgers. MS. RODGERS! Gah! He can’t address me like a school teacher after telling me—in the gruffest, sexiest voice ever—to move my panties out of the way. I fish a pen out of my bag and pop all of his balloons. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Childish? Absolutely. Do I regret it? No way.
Ellen: “I have to go. My next appointment likes to use drums and cymbals for therapy. Enjoy!”
Ellen: “I like this suit. Nothing beats classic black with a red silk tie.”
My hand smooths his tie under his jacket.
Flint: “You’re humming.”
Ellen: “Mmm …”
Glancing up, I smile.
Ellen: “Go make some lucky lady’s day. Just don’t let her fall as hard as I did.”
I turn and don’t look back.
Flint: “Thank you for bringing him home.”
He smells like herbs, like I imagine a chef might smell. I’m hungry. I’d settle for him, but I don’t think he’s on the menu tonight. I don’t know if he’ll ever be on the menu. He’s that dessert on the dessert tray that no one ever gets to eat because it’s just a display.
Ellen: “No problem. Did you notice how I returned him to you without bitching about my time? And I didn’t put him in a brown paper bag and threaten to dump him out the window without stopping the car first.”
His lips press together and he hums.
Flint: “That was very kind of you.”
Those dark eyes shift to my mouth again, then lower. I feel his gaze everywhere. It’s warm and tingly.
Ellen: “Go easy on him.”
Flint: “We’ll see.”
He straightens to full height.
Flint: “Goodnight.”
Ellen: “Sometimes the world ends and forgets to take you with it. I get it.”
Flint: “I should be in prison.”
I fight away the pain as my gaze drifts to the stairs. Thoughts of our son, and how little he knows about the past, hits me hard in the chest.
Flint: “This isn’t my life anymore, it’s his.”
My mom stands, tightening the sash to her robe as she walks toward me. She presses a finger under my chin like she did when I was a child and tips it up until I look at her.
Mom: “If you truly mean that, then get the boy some rats.”
She smiles.
Mom: “But if there’s even the slightest part of you that feels deserving of a tiny bit of happiness, then get the girl. I think Harrison likes her more than rats.”
My eyes slide to the side, catching my dad’s shrug. He told her about the closet. Mom keeps my chin tilted up and leans down, pressing a kiss to my cheek and the tip of my nose.
Mom: “Goodnight, my lovely boy.”
She leaves me with my all-knowing father.
Dad: “We’ll get Harrison breakfast. Be back in time to take him to school and drop us off at the airport.”
He rests his hand on my shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. Before he gets halfway up the stairs, I say,
Flint: “What if I get him rats?”
He chuckles.
Dad: “Then you’re an idiot. Live or die, Flint … but don’t sit in the fucking middle just … existing.”
Flint: “I was just thinking about how incredibly sexy you look tangled in these sheets next to me and how hard it’s going to be to leave your bed. But then you said ‘rat babies,’ and my erection died.”
Ellen: "It’s extraordinarily hard to acknowledge our imperfections, especially when they cause something so devastating … but you are in fact just like everyone else. You’re human, Flint.”
Harrison: “What are you doing?”
Ellen keeps her eyes on her feet.
Flint: “Coming to hear you play.”
Harrison: “Why?”
I stand next to Harrison and nudge him.
Flint: “Because you’re my son, and I want to hear you play.”
Harrison: “Whatever.”
I choose to take that as code for “I love you too, Dad.”
Harrison: “What happened?”
As expected, Harrison is right here, waiting for us. I step off the elevator and shrug.
Flint: “Ellen had a bit of gas that she didn’t want to pass around you, so she locked me in the elevator with her, because just like you, she’s out to get me.”
Flint: “He thinks you’re his friend. He said I should find my own friends.”
Ellen: “Well, you only have one. He really should share me.”
I lean back and run my hand through my hair.
Flint: “Can’t blame him. I don’t want to share you.”
Ellen: “Sorry. If I end up having to choose between the two of you, I’m going to have to go with Harry because he loves music and he loves my rats.”
Ellen: “Let me make dinner at my place for you and Harrison.”
Flint: “You cook?”
She giggles.
Ellen: “Yes. Don’t act so surprised.”
Flint: “Harrison has a strict diet.”
Ellen: “I know. Text me a list of things he can’t have.”
Flint: “I’ll feel like a third wheel.”
Ellen: “Poor baby. We’ll try to include you in the rat play.”
Harrison: “Huh …”
Harry lets Lady Gaga climb up his chest to his shoulder.
Harrison: “I guess I could be a rat whisperer someday.”
Flint: “I can already feel myself swelling with fatherly pride. ‘What does your son do? He’s a highly sought after rat whisperer.’”
Flint glances over his shoulder.
Flint: “Wash your hands, Harrison.”
Harrison: “They didn’t pee on me.”
Flint: “I’m glad. Wash your hands.”
I bite my lips together.
Harrison: “I read that rats spend most of their waking hours cleaning themselves or each other. More so than cats.”
Harry rocks back and forth on his feet, wringing his hands together.
Flint: “It’s good to know you’re spending your spare time researching rats. Did you happen to see how they clean themselves? In a bathtub? In a shower with hot water and soap? Or do they lick themselves?”
Harrison: “They lick themselves.”
Flint: “So if I lick your hands, will you feel the need to wash them before you eat?”
Harrison: “That’s gross. Why would you lick my hands?”
Flint: “I wouldn’t. Just go wash them.”
Ellen: “We swapped saliva in the hallway. Is that going to ruin your dinner?”
Flint: “Only if you tell Harrison and get me in trouble.”
“I would never.”
Ellen: “What do you think?”
I sip the steamy soup from my spoon.
Harrison: “I don’t know. Grandma said it’s his job to be overprotective. Weird job.”
Harrison: “Are you going to ask Ellen on a date?”
Flint stirs his soup, a slight shake to his head.
Flint: “Oh, Harrison, you’re quite the wingman.”
Harrison: “What do you mean?” .
Flint: “You’re quite the helper when it comes to getting me a date.”
I watch the commentary between them, amused with where this might be going.
Harrison: “I’m not helping you get a date. I just asked if you were going to ask.”
Harry gives me a quick glance.
Harrison: “He wants to ask you on a date. No sex. No kissing. Dinner and a movie. And I can’t go with you.”
I cover my mouth with my napkin, but I can feel the red flush working up my face into my cheeks and nose. Flint takes a spoonful of soup, eyes rolling up to glance at me.
Ellen: “Sounds like fun. I haven’t been to a movie in a long time.”
Harrison: “Just don’t go see the new Spiderman movie because I want to see it.”
Ellen: “Oh my gosh … it’s a blue box.”
Dad: “Is blue good luck?”
I roll my eyes.
Ellen: “It’s from a luxury jewelry store.”
Dad: “If this guy thinks he’s proposing without asking my permission—”
Ellen: “Down boy. It’s too big for a ring. It might be a watch or bracelet.”
He sent me jewelry. I can’t believe it. I remove the lid.
Ellen: “Oh my god …”
Dad: “What is it?”
Ellen: “Um …”
I take out the card next to the small bottle of water-based personal lubricant.
For my kinky lady. I’m a lot bigger than your ring finger. I’ll pick you up at noon. ~Flint
Dad: “Elle, I’m old … I want to know what’s in the box before I die.”
If I tell him what’s in the box, it will kill him.
Ellen: “A watch.”
Dad: “Do you wear a watch?”
Ellen: “Sometimes.”
Dad: “Does it look expensive?”
Ellen: “Not terribly.”
Dad: “Well, that’s good. It’s never a good idea to purchase expensive gifts so early in a relationship. Does it fit?”
I clamp down on my lip to keep from giggling.
Ellen: “I … uh … think it’s a one-size-fits-all.”
Dad: “Is it engraved?”
My body vibrates with unleashed laughter, until tears fill my eyes.
Ellen: “No …”
I manage to squeak out.
Dad: “For crying out loud … a luxury jewelry store that doesn’t do free engraving? If that’s the case, then they’re just screwing you up the ass.”
Dad: “My darling girl, the words I love you only hurt the people who refuse to set them free. So when you feel it, say it.”
Ellen: “But, Daddy, what if I don’t mean it?”
Dad: “Feelings are our greatest compass. They will always lead you to the truth.”
Ellen: “I’m scared of the truth, Dad,”
Taking her hand, I press my lips to the inside of her wrist. She draws in a shaky breath.
Ellen: “You should leave,”
she whispers.
Flint: “Why?”
I look up, my lips still savoring the warmth of her skin.
Ellen: “Because if you don’t, I’m going to fall in love with you.”
We gaze unblinkingly at each other for a few seconds. My other hand snakes around her waist, pulling her closer. She eases onto my lap, straddling me with her knees. I thread my hands through her hair.
Flint: “I’ll risk it.”
Flint: “I can’t fix this,”
he says with his voice so tight it feels like an elastic band ready to snap. I shake my head.
Ellen: “It’s not yours to fix.”
Turning to the side, I squeeze past him to get my purse and phone from the floor by the front door. Flint grabs my wrist and jerks my arm until I face him. So much anger distorts his face as he presses my hand to his sternum, jaw clenched. Blood races through my veins and my pulse pounds in my ears.
Flint: “This,”
he grits, pushing my hand harder against his chest like he’s using it to punctuate his words.
Flint: “I can’t fix this.”
He hammers my hand harder to his chest one more time.
Flint: “Elle?”
Ellen: “I’m not leaving,”
she mumbles into the mattress.
Flint: “You can’t stay.”
Ellen: “What time is it?”
She keeps her head buried.
Flint: “Four.”
She grunts.
Ellen: “Wake me in two hours.”
I sigh, running my hands through my hair that’s been thoroughly yanked and pulled over the past four hours.
Flint: “Harry gets up at six.”
Ellen: “Great. I’ll make everyone breakfast.”
I growl in frustration.
Flint: “I told him we wouldn’t have sex.”
Ellen: “Then shame on you.”
Her sexy little body shakes with silent laughter.
She smiles, blinking her blue eyes a few times to adjust to the closet light. Taking my suit jacket, she holds it for me to slip in my arms. After she buttons it, she adjusts my tie and grabs the lapels of my jacket.
Ellen: “Flint Hopkins, you sure do look the part.”
Flint: “What part is that?”
A flash of something resembling pain pulls at her brow for less than a second, but she smiles through it.
Ellen: “The one that got away.”
I … want … this … life …
Flint: “You’re so beautiful,”
he whispers over my lips.
Flint: “I want to be selfish with you …”
He brushes his lips over mine again. I grip his coat to steady myself.
Flint: “I…”
he closes his eyes as if the pain is too great to bear
Flint: “…don’t deserve this.”
His lips ghost along my cheek, down my jaw to my ear.
Flint: “But I want it so fucking bad.”
I hold on, letting fate have its way. Want. Need. They feed the pain. They fuel the anger. They also make us stronger when we’re forced to let them go.
Ellen: “Why are you here?”
He smiles, pushing my gross, matted hair out of my face.
Flint: “Elle…”
he leans in, pressing a kiss to my forehead as his hand cups the back of my neck
Flint: “…you know why I’m here.”
Ellen: “I smell.”
With his lips still pressed to my forehead, he chuckles.
Flint: “Perhaps.”
Ellen: “I need a shower, but I’m too weak.”
Flint: “That’s why Dr. Hopkins is here.”
He stands, shrugging off his suit jacket.
Ellen: “You’re wearing a suit?”
He loosens his tie.
Flint: “I had to look the part.”
I slide my hand over his and interlace our fingers. I don’t know how this will ever work out without huge sacrifices, but I refuse to worry about it in this moment—a moment that feels so perfect until the bathroom door opens.
Grandma: “Ellen? Oh!”
My grandma jumps, her hand covering her heart. I hope it’s still beating.
Grandma: “Dr. Hopkins … well, I … I just wanted to see how things were going.”
I cringe, biting my lower lip, but Flint doesn’t even flinch, not one single muscle of his flexes a centimeter.
Flint: “We’re just finishing up a round of hydrotherapy. We’ll be out in a few minutes. If you wouldn’t mind, Ellen could use some broth soup if you have any.”
Grandma: “Hydrotherapy …”
She nods slowly.
Grandma: “Broth soup … yes, I can do that.”
Flint: “Thank you.”
She eases the door shut. I let go of his hand and slide my entire body under the water because … Kill. Me. Now. He grabs my arms and pulls me up again, handing me a towel to wipe my face.
Ellen: “The most embarrassing moment of my life.”
Flint chuckles.
Flint: “I thought it went quite well.”
Ellen smiles, giving me a quick glance.
Ellen:“Grandma, Dr. Hopkins is not really a doctor. His name is Flint. I told you about him and his son Harry. Remember?”
Grandma looks at me. I give her a wink, sitting across from Ellen.
Grandma: “Oh, why did you say you were a doctor?”
Flint: “I didn’t. I said I was here to take care of Ellen. You inferred doctor from that. I didn’t argue.”
Ellen sips her soup and wipes her mouth with a napkin.
Ellen: “Flint is an attorney. He’s good with word manipulation.”
She smirks before taking another sip of soup.
Grandma: “Samuel, he’s not a doctor.”
Grandma calls like she wants the neighbors to hear too.
Grandma: “Hydrotherapy is not a real thing. It’s just a perversion.”
Ellen: “Alex, this is Flint. Flint, this is Alex.”
Alex doesn’t offer his hand, but maybe it would be weird since his are kind of robotic. I don’t know what the protocol is on that.
Alex: “How do you know my Ellen?”
My Ellen? Since when? I narrow my eyes at Alex, but he’s still not looking at me.
Flint: “I wasn’t aware that she’d been chipped and registered to a specific owner—like a dog.”
I snort at Flint’s response.
Alex: “Sorry.”
Alex gives me a brief glance.
Alex: “Habit. I feel like we’ve been together forever.”
Except for the two years you treated me like shit and the year since our divorce. But who’s counting. Alex steps toward me, giving me that look of adoration that he used to give me, as he lifts his arm up, touching my cheek with his cold, prosthetic fingers. I stiffen as Flint’s hand wraps around Alex’s forearm, pulling it away from my face.
Flint: “But just to be clear … if any man were going to put something inside of Ellen and lay claim to her … it would be me.”
Just to be clear … I just fell in love with Flint Hopkins again.
This man didn’t come here to just take care of me, he came here to take care of what means the most to me. Those who love you the most, will cherish what you cherish. They’ll nurture what makes you—you.
I press my hands to his chest, letting my fingers trace each muscle.
Ellen: “If it’s a boy…”
I whisper
Ellen: “…I hope he looks just like you.”
His fingers find their way through my hair, until he’s holding my head, tipping it back until my gaze finds his.
Flint: “And if it’s a girl?”
I smile.
Ellen: “I hope she brings you to your knees every day.”
Flint: “Like her mom?”
Mom. No words can describe how that makes me feel. My life started over after the divorce. My dreams vanished. I’ve been waiting for life to show me where I fit in again. Mom. I want this life.
Ellen: “Do I bring you to your knees?”
Flint pulls me to the bed and guides me to sit on the edge. He kneels on the floor between my legs, wrapping his arms around my waist as his cheek rests on my chest next to my heart.
Flint: “More than anyone.”
Ellen takes a deep breath and opens the door. Grandma smiles as we squeeze past her.
Grandma: “What kind of therapy was that, Dr. Hopkins?”
She’s good. I grin.
Flint: “Just good ole sexual healing.”
Grandma purses her lips to keep from grinning and shakes her head at me before shutting the door.
Flint: “I feel very close to your grandma.”
Ellen pulls on her robe, still red from nose to toe.
Ellen: “You’re going to give her a heart attack.”
Ellen: “God … you sure do look the part, Flint Hopkins.”
I grab the top to his jacket because he doesn’t have lapels to hold. He grins.
Flint: “What part is that?”
Ellen: “My man, of course.”
Flint: “I like that part.”
He leans back against the vanity, crossing his arms over his chest.
Flint: “You think I want to be roommates with you?”
He’s so damn cocky.
Ellen: “There’s no reason why you wouldn’t. I’m a wonderful roommate.”
Flint: “You’re not. You’re messy, noisy, and you have rats.”
I cross my arms over my chest, matching his stance.
Ellen: “Well, you have OCD, a perpetual frown, and you’re completely irresponsible when it comes to birth control.”
Flint grins just to prove me wrong about the perpetual frown.
I love this life.
Flint: “This is your bedroom and bathroom. Downstairs is your kitchen and living area. The front door and entry closet are yours. The driveway. The garage. The trees. The grass beneath the snow. It’s all yours.”
His lips and tongue tease my neck.
Flint: “I’m yours.”
Yep … so much love for this life.
Dad: “This is your life, Flint. Get in the game or quit, but don’t sit on the bench watching everyone around you live your dream.”
Dad: “The boy likes the word fuck.”
My dad eyes me, sipping his coffee.
Dad: “And he uses it with surprising accuracy.”
Mom: “You two are terrible.”
My mom shakes her head.
Harrison: “When are you going to give her the ring?”
Ellen: “Give who a ring?”
Harrison: “You,”
Ellen: “What ring?”
She looks over at me. I keep both eyes on the road.
Harrison: “The diamond one he stuck in his pocket before he left home.”
Flint: “Little shit,”
I mumble.
Ellen: “Diamond ring, huh? How many carats? Seven?”
I ignore her. I ignore both of them. Several minutes later, Mr. Delayed Response says,
Harrison: “Ha! That was funny. Seven. She said that because you called her a seven. Seventy percent. You gave Elle a D. Remember that?”
Elle covers her mouth to contain her laughter.
Flint: “I remember. Thanks, Harrison.”
Harrison: “Just ask her.”
Ellen rests her hand behind my head, tickling the nape of my neck.
Ellen: “Just ask me.”
Flint: “Fine. Will you marry me?”
Ellen: “What do you think, Harry? Should I say yes?”
I roll my eyes. They’re making a mockery out of my proposal.
Harrison: “Yeah. I think he spent a lot of money on the ring. It’s pretty big.”
Elle shrugs.
Ellen: “Okay. I’ll marry you.”
Harrison: “You don’t have to go up with me,”
Harrison says as we approach the entrance. Of course. We drove twenty-one hours to walk this far in the heat for a simple “Goodbye, see you at Thanksgiving.”
Ellen: “Call often. Study hard. Find a nice girl, but not until your senior year. And remember you are here to learn, but along the way lots of students will learn from you too. Be kind. Be gracious. Be happy.”
Elle hugs Harrison. He hugs her back without hesitation.
Harrison: “Bye, buddy.”
He hugs Isaac too.
Flint: “Call every couple of weeks. Study harder than you think you need to. I’m not paying for you to fail. Find a nice girl to take your virginity so you can focus on your studies instead of your blue balls. Remember you are here to succeed and other students will feel threatened by you. Ignore them. Be strong. Be cool. Be responsible and wear a condom.”
I hug Harrison as he rolls his eyes.
Ellen: “Two weeks.”
Elle grins, nuzzling her nose into Isaac’s chubby neck.
Ellen: “Two whole weeks in Cape Cod. Mama’s gonna get a massage and pedicure. Yay me!”
I glance over my shoulder to make sure Jon and Aria are still out of earshot.
Flint: “Daddy’s going to get laid. A lot. While Papa and his younger girlfriend take Aria and Issac to the beach. Yay me!”
Ellen: “Flint Hopkins, you sure do look the part.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see my dad smile. It’s a lot of joy with a sliver of sadness.
Flint: “What part is that, my beautiful wife?”
Ellen: “My husband, of course.”
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