“How about it, Gregory? Come up with an idea for what you want to do on your year off?” Justice Sanderson’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “Your brother went to Harvard Law right after undergrad, and he loved it.” He then turned to Ethan. “He’s now clerking for a state supreme court justice in Florida. Gregory could have that, too. I suspect he’s having a little too much fun in college. Is he?”
Greg’s clenched expression remained.
“He’s very studious. I was having trouble keeping up in class, but he helped me understand the material. He’s a natural.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. There’s still hope yet for you, boy.” He patted Greg’s shoulder, only it didn’t seem like the supportive gesture Ethan saw previously.
Greg stood up. “Dad, what time is your flight? We should probably get you to the airport.”
Justice Sanderson checked his watch. “The limo is picking me up in about an hour. Let’s grab some lunch first. Care to join us, Ethan?”
Ethan didn’t have to view Greg’s expression to know the proper answer. “Thank you for the offer, Justice Sanderson, but I have class. It was great meeting you.”
Father and son walked off toward town, and Ethan slunk back to his dorm.
CHAPTER twenty-five
The front door to the dorm almost smacked Ethan in the face, and Jessica and Dave came out. Maybe that was intentional, he thought.
“Hey, guys.”
“Hey, Ethan,” Dave said. Jessica stayed silent and acknowledged him with the faintest of head nods.
“How did your show go?” Ethan asked. “I’m sorry I missed it.”
“It was a huge success. Thanks for asking.”
They switched places, and Ethan held the door open to keep the conversation going for another minute. “What are you guys up to for dinner?”
Dave looked at Jessica for a response. Her mouth twisted tight like a shirt about to tie-dyed.
“We’re eating at the dining hall tonight,” Dave said, not extending an invite. “This Norwegian novelist is speaking, so we’re going to see him after.”
“That sounds cool,” Ethan said with genuine interest. As much as others ragged on his friends, they did like trying new things. There were so many programs going on around campus every day, and Jessica was one of the few people who chose to take advantage. She came to college to broaden her horizons, not party. Ethan respected that, and a part of him felt the same way. The speaker sounded interesting, but Ethan didn’t need to be a body language expert to get that he should just stay home tonight.
He tried writing a paper in his room, but quickly fell asleep. A knock at the door woke him up. When he glanced outside, the sun was setting.
“Hey, Folly.”
Greg stood in his doorway, hands dug into his khaki pockets. Ethan’s jaw hit the floor.
“Mind if I…?”
Greg Sanderson stepped into his room.
Greg Sanderson was in his room.
He saw all the little details that made up Ethan’s life. The reminders thumbtacked to his bulletin board. The organized row of notebooks and folders. The keyboard cleaner next to his laptop. The perfectly made bed. All were in grasp. This was Ethan.
“Kids in this dorm are very trusting. I could’ve been a homicidal maniac.”
Ethan nodded. He didn’t know what to say. He wished for charted territory. Was he supposed to apologize or demand one from Greg or pretend like nothing ever happened?
“What are you doing here?” Ethan asked.
“I wanted to thank you for sticking up for me in front of my dad.”
“I’m sorry for intruding.”
