Chapter 12
Manhattan, February 17, 2021
Petra Van Gatt
“And what did Prof. Reich told you exactly?” I ask Matt, anticipating his answer like my next breath.
Sitting beside me at a table in the library, a smile plays on his lips, most likely because of my curious nature. “Well, he said I should start working on my Master’s degree right after graduation and while I’m doing so that I could be a teacher’s assistant––which will give me the experience I need if I want to become a prof later on.”
“See?” I say joyfully, given the fact I was the one who advised him to talk to Professor Reich. “I told you he’d help you out. Plus with your Youtube channel, it’ll be very easy for you to land a job here.”
“Yeah, he also said I should submit a senior thesis during my last year and the more I write about subjects I want to teach, the better.”
“I can perfectly see you as a prof in fifteen years,” I tell him to cheer him up. “You have always been so passionate about research, academia, and teaching. It’s gonna suit you perfectly.”
“You think?” he asks like it isn’t obvious. “It’s such a competitive field though. Everyone I know wants to be a prof.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” I reply promptly. “And, um, what subject is it that you’d like to focus on?”
“There are so many; I like Public Economics, but right now I’m having a big crush on Ethics.” I nod, sharing the same excitement as him. We might only be in our second year of college, but it’s great that Matt is already getting some advice on what to do after graduation. “So I might keep researching on both and we will see.” He pauses for a beat and then adds, “The group and I have also launched a blog to write about several subjects in those areas.”
“That’s impressive,” I praise, putting a hand on his arm. “Congrats, I’m glad the talk with Prof. Reich was helpful.”
Before my attention can return to my books though, Matt changes the subject to something completely off topic. “By the way, I’m planning a little dinner this Saturday with Sarah, David, and Katrina. There’re also a few new friends from my philosophy major who are coming.” I can hear the pride in his voice as he speaks. “It’s at seven p.m. at my place. You’re gonna love it.”
I find it amusing that he’s already assuming I’m attending his dinner. Maybe I should go. After all, I have nothing booked for the weekend, and Alex made it clear that until the trial is over, he isn’t coming back home.
“Okay, sure.” I give him a quick smile and my eyes drop to my book in order to keep reading.
“Petra?” But Matt seems to be particularly chatty today, which might explain why we have barely studied anything so far.
“Yeah?” I say, looking up at him again.
“I just wanted to tell you I’m very proud of how you are coping with everything.”
Now that was unexpected. My brows furrow in confusion at his compliment. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you know, about the trial, your mom, everything.”
His kind words make my lips twist into a smile filled with appreciation. “Thanks,” I say, my voice warmer than usual. “It’s not easy, but I’m living it day by day.”
My eyes are about to dive back into my book, but Matt continues, “Is it true you and Alex are living in separate houses?”
I narrow my eyes at him, slightly surprised at his question. I feel tempted to ask him who told him that, but I recall his dad has been religiously listening to the taped conversations between Alex and I so he must’ve been the one who shared such info. “Yeah, Alex doesn’t want to see me until the case is closed.” My gaze travels down as memories from our Valentine’s night start filling my head. Jeez, that night was so amazing. He was just as intimate and romantic as he used to be before the arrest. What a big contrast with breakfast the next morning.
“Maybe that’s a good thing,” Matt ventures.
I shrug, not wanting to engage in further discussion that involves Alex and I. Suddenly, my ringtone starts breaking across the library, making everyone turn in my direction with censoring eyes.
I take my iPhone, turning off the ringtone abruptly. To my surprise, it’s Maria calling. Well, that’s odd. She rarely calls me. I mean, she never calls me. I didn’t even know she had my phone number. Since answering the phone in the library is viciously frown upon, I stand up, ready to head outside. “I’ll be right back.”
Once I reach the outdoors, I call Maria back. “Hi,” I say, after hearing her voice from the other side of the line. “Is everything okay?”
“Yara is here,” she announces softly. “She’d like to talk to you.”
“Yara?” I repeat, barely believing it. “Talk to me?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Maria says. “Should I tell her to leave or to wait for you?”
Why on earth would Yara want to talk to me in the first place? Jeez, plus knowing her as I do, she can get physical when displeased. After that face-to-face talk at the Breitner House, meeting her alone isn’t really something I look forward to, but I’m just too curious to send her away. Maybe she wants to tell me something about her brother or my mom’s death, who knows? “Kindly let her know I’m on my way.”
“Very well,” she answers before we finish the phone call. Then I message Zach to pick me up and go back inside to pack my stuff.
“I’m gonna have to go,” I say to Matt as I shoulder my backpack.
“Every time we meet in the library you run away,” he points out in amusement. “It’s becoming a ritual by now.”
A quick chuckle escapes me. “I know, I’m sorry.” I lean in and give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “See ya later.”
“See ya Saturday,” I hear him correcting me as I walk away.
Arriving at the condo, Maria opens the door for me and before I can even ask her about Yara, she leans in and says, “She’s in the pool.”
In the pool? I raise my eyebrows in surprise at her answer. Wow. Insane how Yara thinks she can just walk in and behave like she’s at home. Okay, granted, she is my sister-in-law, but still, I wouldn’t dare go to her house for a swim without her permission. For an instant, I wonder if I should go and take the audio recorder to tape our conversation. But, for better or worse, I decide not to; maybe she’ll share compromising info about my husband—info that can land him in jail. And despite everything we are going through, I don’t want to add more oil to the fire.
I take off my coat and sneakers, and head upstairs, trying to conceal my annoyance at Yara’s behavior.
Reaching the pool area, the heat and humidity smack my face, and I’m remembered that I should have put on a bikini before coming here. I stand by the entrance and watch Yara’s tall and slim body swimming from one end to the other while she waits for me. The more I observe her, the more it seems like she’s inside the water totally naked. No, it can’t be. She wouldn’t do that…