I come into the dinner not knowing exactly what to expect. They have already expressed concerns about Henry and our relationship, but over these last few months my mother has softened her approach.
I got the sense that she regretted saying what she said the last time we were at lunch together. I haven't seen her again, but we have texted and occasionally spoken on the phone and even video chatted one time.
The few times that I have asked her to send me money, she has been more than generous. I regretted lying to Henry about my library job, but after the interview, they offered me the position and told me about the pay and I couldn’t go through with it.
Twenty hours a week for a job that paid minimum-wage was just not something that I could afford to do in my last year. I knew that he wouldn't understand and that's why I kept it from him for as long as I did.
My mother, however, understood very well. Even though she is not entirely on board with my PhD, she is very big on finishing projects that you start. And since I was already enrolled, she did not want me postponing graduation just so I could work hours I couldn’t afford to get the $800 in rent that we needed.
When I talked to her on the phone, I only asked for that month’s rent. When I hung up, I saw a text that she had deposited $10,000 into my bank account. I thanked her politely and considered returning a portion of it, but then decided against it.
I might need it in the future and I didn't want to have to ask again. In the meantime, I promised myself that I would spend the money wisely and not buy anything extravagant that we didn't need.
Over dinner, we focus mainly on general topics of conversation. We talk about my little brother who is going into seventh grade and who is currently at his fencing lesson. He is heavily involved in musical theater, which my mother loves and my father hates, so I asked her about that along with about a million other things that have nothing to do with Tate Media, my PhD program, or Henry's job. The dinner goes nicely enough and I think that it's actually going to be a success.
But then just as the dessert is served, my father asks Henry about his work.
“Well, as you probably know, the school is shutting down and they have laid off almost all of the teachers.”
"No, I didn't hear that part,” my father says, tilting his head in a concerned manner.
“Yes, the state’s attorney is currently investigating the entire board of trustees. It's an unfortunate situation and a lot of the kids are really suffering,” Henry says.
“And the teachers as well, I'm sure,” my father says.
“Yes, the teachers are as well,” Henry agrees.
I wonder if Henry thinks that my father is being cold and distant. He doesn't know him, but he's actually acting as compassionately as I have ever seen him. I hope that he doesn't make him regret that.
“Henry is looking for a new job,” I cut in, “but as you can imagine there are not a lot of teachers being hired in the middle of winter.”
“No, I imagine not,” Daddy says.
“I am working part-time as a tutor for a few kids in lower Manhattan,” Henry says rather defensively.
"And, are you interested in any other opportunities?” my mother asks.
“Yes, of course. I have sent out my resume to a number of research and writing related positions, but I haven't heard anything back yet.”
"Well, that's one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you today,” my father says. “We are actually starting a new division at Tate Media that's going to be focusing on crime. We will have a television division, and online magazine division as well as podcasts and even programming on various social media networks. We are doing a big hiring spree and I would love for you to send your resume to our HR people for consideration.”
“Oh, wow,” Henry says slowly, completely surprised. “Yes, of course. That would just be wonderful.”
“Good,” Daddy says, nodding his head and giving me a wink. “I'm glad to hear that. Send me a resume tomorrow and I'll pass it along to my people. I can't make any promises, of course.”
“No, I completely understand. I appreciate the opportunity.”
In the cab back, Henry is on cloud nine. Smiling from ear to ear, he gets home and immediately opens his laptop and starts working on his cover letter.
“Are you going to do it right now?" I ask.
“Yes, of course. Your dad wants to see it tomorrow so I want it to show up in his inbox first thing.”
"You know, you can take your time,” I say.
"No, actually I can't. This is the first time that your father has shown any interest in me and not just that, he actually made me an offer. I don't take that lightly.”
Henry works late into the night. He must have rewritten that cover letter and resume a hundred times before finally sending it off. I ask to see it, but he refuses to show it to me. Afterward, he paces around the place, cracking his knuckles. I don't remember him ever being this nervous before.
“I had no idea that you were so interested in the job,” I say when he crawls into bed, completely exhausted.
"Actually, I am. I was thinking of all the articles that I could write and this is an amazing opportunity. He's putting together a new network and networks need writers. If I can only get this job…”
“What did you think of the dinner?” I ask.
“I think it went really well, don't you?”
“I do. Shockingly well,” I add.
He laughs. “Maybe they're just coming around? Just accepting the inevitable?”
“Which is, what exactly?” I ask.
“That I love you and you love me and we're going to be together forever.”
I smile and run my fingers up and down his chest. He flexes, pushing my hand up, and making me laugh.
"I love you very much," I say.
“I love you, too.”
“I hate fighting with you,” I say.
“Me, too," he says, leaning over and giving me a wet kiss.
“Let's not fight anymore,” I whisper into his ear.
“I won't if you won’t," he says, pressing his lips softly to my neck and moving closer and closer to my collarbone.
With one swift motion, he pushes me down onto the bed and I lose myself in his body.
21
Aurora
My mother calls me the following morning.
At first, I don't really want to answer, but then I think that it might have something to do with Henry's resume, so I do.
“Glad I was able to catch you," she says in a particularly chipper voice. “How's your day going?”
“Fine,” I mumble.
“Your classes?”
“Actually I don't have any classes today. I'm going to focus on writing my thesis.”
“Good, good," she says.
I can hear that she's distracted, or perhaps just waiting for the right opportunity to bring up whatever is on her mind.
“What's going on, Mom?"
“Well, since you asked,” she says slowly. "I am calling about a particular issue.”
“Okay… does this have something to do with Henry?”