Chapter 04.1

Not long after I landed, I called Uncle Steve from my computer. This time, Mickey helped him answer.

“Is something wrong, Johnny?” he asked with concern. ”I hope you didn’t sleep badly last night,” he added with a laugh.

“No, no,” I said quickly. ”Nothing like that. Uncle Steve,” I began cautiously, ”I’d like to transfer to the university where you teach.”

“I was wondering when you’d finally ask,” he chuckled. ”I told you last year already—you should be studying here.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I was being stupid,” I admitted. He just smiled.

“Don’t worry about it—youth is foolishness,” he said, waving behind him. Daniel appeared on the screen.

“We’ve already put together a little library for you,” Uncle Steve began, but Daniel stepped in with a grin.

“I’ll send you an email with everything you need. Just fill out the forms and send them where they need to go,” Daniel said simply. I nodded.

“Thank you, Uncle Steve,” I said. After a few clicks, Daniel stepped away from the screen.

“Johnny,” the old man leaned in closer, ”we’re going to have a tough summer. Be ready.”

“I will be,” I said.

—

Over the next few days, I prepared and submitted my application to transition. Time dragged toward the exam period, and I focused solely on studying, trying to push my girlfriend—well, ex-girlfriend—out of my mind. But no matter how hard I tried, it was impossible.

Thanks to my consistent studying, I finished my exams quickly—though I knew I’d be facing the same challenge again in the summer. I packed up and said goodbye to Eddie. He already knew I wouldn’t be coming back next year.

My final flight was short, and at the airport, a beautiful blonde girl in a skirt was waiting for me, holding a sign that read “J. Simmons.” As per our bet, it was Jenny.

“Thanks for picking me up,” I smiled at her.

“A bet is a bet,” she smiled back.

“How did your exams go?” she asked as we walked to the car.

“Good. I’m done with all of them. You?”

“Same here. I’ll be doing my hospital internship this summer, and I’ll be interpreting too.”

“Except during the summer trip,” I reminded her.

“Everyone keeps telling me to go, but I still want to think about it,” she said quietly.

“Take your time.” I replied. I’d already booked everything—including her. If she didn’t come, we’d just change the number at the hotel.

We reached her car. I set down my luggage while she unlocked it. We packed up and she drove me home. Dr. Cox had picked a great car—fully equipped with every feature imaginable, though smaller than mine. I doubted Jenny even knew hers wasn’t a base model.

“How’s the interpreting going?” I asked.

She talked about her work during the drive, and I just admired her. I wanted to talk to her in calmer circumstances. She wasn’t a bad driver—though I would’ve changed lanes more often, she preferred to slow down or wait behind other cars.

“Here we are. Bet fulfilled,” she said cheerfully as she pulled up in front of my house.

“I want to talk to you,” I said suddenly as she turned off the engine, “just the two of us.”

“I don’t think that would be fair…” Jenny began, but I raised my hand gently.

“Please,” I said softly. “There are things we need to talk about. If you hadn’t blocked me, we could’ve talked long ago. At least after everything —just one talk. Like one dance.”

“Alright,” she said. ”But I’m busy this afternoon. Tomorrow works.”

“Okay. Let’s meet at Tony’s tomorrow, early afternoon—say, four o’clock?”

“I’ll be there,” she said, and started the car again.

I took my bags out of the car, and she drove off. When I entered the house, my parents were home—and even Amber was there with Brad.

It was just about dinner time, so we greeted each other quickly.

“Looks like things are finally settling down for you,” Dad said. ”You look better.”

“I’ve been swimming and eating properly,” I replied. ”Tomorrow I’m clearing up the whole Helen thing too.”

“No one says it out loud,” my sister began during dinner, ”but you really messed up, bro.” She 

finished the sentence, ignoring Mom’s disapproving look.

“I know,” I sighed. ”Believe me, if she ever takes me back, I won’t mess it up again.”

“Don’t,” Amber said sharply. ”I’m not willing to lose my business partner—and I can’t lose you either.”

“Jane wanted to quit?” Mom asked, surprised.

“She brought it up once, back in the fall,” Amber explained. ”But I stopped her halfway through the sentence and told her never to bring it up again.”

“Thank you,” I said to my sister. She just nodded.