You're Not Enough

Chapter 44

"So, Marcus, how's the dealership going?" Paul asks my father.

"Good," He replies. "Great really, that's actually something I wanted to--"

"Oh no," My mother chimes in, cutting him off. "Not at the dinner table, no business talk."

"Ditto," Jeanie agrees.

Who says ditto?

"We'll discuss this later," My father suggests, conceding to the lady's wishes. "Over brandy, perhaps."

"Yes, we shall." Paul agrees.

"So, Melissa, how are things at the firm?" Jeanie askes my mother.

"Great, I am working on this big case." she says, "In all my years working in law, I think this is hands down the biggest case I've had." She gloats. "As much as I would love to share it with you, I can't. At least not right now," she adds with a smile.

Sometimes I wish I knew what cases she was working on; then I could possibly understand why she spends so much time away from home.

"That's okay, dear. I understand. I guess I'll have to deal with this from Katie soon." She says.

"Oh?" My intrigued mother says.

"Yes. She just got early acceptance into Harvard. She'll be studying pre-law in the summer." Jeanine brags.

At the same time, my mother and father say, "Congratulations." with huge smiles on their faces.

"Mother." Katie whines.

"What? This is something to talk about," Paul says. Katie playfully rolls her eyes at her father.

Katie looks away from her father and then at me. "What about you, Jayda? Have you gotten into a school yet?"

"Uhhh, no," I nervously look down at my plate.

"Well, what have you applied to?" she asks yet another question digging for answers.

I play with the string beans on my plate, pretending like I didn't hear her. My mother's foot taps me from under the table. I look up at her and shoot my mother a glare telling her to stop; she shoots back another glare telling me to answer.

I press my lips together tightly and then look at Katie and say, "I don't think I'm going to college," gasps fall from their mouths, everyone except Caleb. They all stare at me, blankly, with no expression. "I'm just kidding," I say, trying to get their stone faces to crack a smile.

They all laugh with relief.

"I called a few colleges for her." My father says, and I look over to him. "The transition from studying abroad and back to Charter school has been kind of tuff. She hasn't had time to sit down with her college counselors." My father explains.

Did he really call colleges? Why would he do that? And Why didn't he tell me? I look across the table. My mother shakes her head only so I can see. With her eyes, she tells me not to say anything. I won't say anything now, but I will bring this up later.

"Caleb. Where are you going?" Katie asks.

He clears his throat before speaking, "I don't know yet. I applied to a few places. It really depends on who offers me the most financial aid." he says.

Oh no.

A strange look comes across Katie's face. She tries to hide it, but she doesn't do a good job. Paul stares at my father, and Jeanie fakes a smile. I need to fix this; I turn my head towards Caleb, who is sitting right beside me, "Financial Aid?" I question. "I'm sure every college will offer you a scholarship...full ride." I try to fix his choice of words.