Hello, Privet! #1: Hello/Привет

Chapter 55

SOPHIE

"We're going to be doing something amazing. The team at Berkeley and I are going to the Maldives," says Anne.

"When?" asks James.

"Soon. In two months or so. We're just waiting to find out if we're going to get funding."

"Why don't you just fund it yourself?" Connor suggests.

"My foundation is already partially funding it."

"What are you going to do in the Maldives exactly?" Emma asks.

"Well, we're going to observe the marine life and assist the locals in conservation. It's something I've always dreamed of doing."

I hear the kitchen door opening, and a male voice asking, "What's this about the Maldives?"

"Oh, Dad..."

It's Uncle Stephen, back from his morning jog. "Is this a serious idea?"

"It is."

"How long are you staying there? Six months? A year?"

"Two years, Dad. If we get the grant." Anne sighs. It is obvious they have discussed, or rather, argued, about this already. "I told you about the Maldives, didn't I?"

"You didn't. I am sure this is the first I've heard of it."

"Well, I must have told Mom," Anne says.

Uncle Stephen starts talking about the son of a client who had an accident while diving, and as Anne listens, a crease appears on her forehead. I can tell she is getting a little angry and irritated. Anne is twenty-five years old and has proven herself more than capable of handling a project like this, but her parents still think of her as a child. But then she's their only daughter, and they've always been protective of her. Uncle Stephen just seemed truly concerned for her, and that made me think of the parental figures in my life. My own father wasn't around enough to be worried about me, but when Peter showed me any concern, I would misinterpret it as him being strict and controlling, and I would usually just end up feeling resentful.

"Dad, whatever you say, I'm still going," says Anne, crossing her arms over her chest.

"The Maldives..." Uncle Stephen stands there looking back at all of us, nodding absent-mindedly, then he goes out again.

I continue standing by the bar, listening to all of this while nibbling on a piece of toast. We are all visiting for Labor Day Weekend. Peter and my mother are still in DC and will be flying in this evening. Connor, Emma, Alison and her family had arrived yesterday.

"There's still some coffee," says Anne.

"Thanks," I say, and make myself a cup of coffee. My phone buzzes. It's a text message from James: 'Call me in 2 minutes.'

I look up at him and text back: 'Why?'

James: 'Just do it.'

I put my phone back on the kitchen counter.

"So, how's work?" Emma asks.

I told John that I was going to work for her aunt's charity as her intern-slash-assistant. Of course I was lying to make it seem like I was quitting because I had a better opportunity rather than quitting because of a failure on my part. "I'm between jobs right now," I say.

"I thought you were working for John," Connor says, carefully unscrewing the cap of his bottled water.

"I quit," I say. "But I might get tutoring jobs again. Prep school kids."