Aunt Jackie practically bounded up the steps. “This is so exciting! You might actually transfer to JUandI get to see Rafferty’s handiwork on this house. I only saw it when it was… still a pit.”
I gave her a light hug and a cheek kiss.
Mom came inside and I gave her a longer hug and she looked me in the eye when we were done. “Be sure to ask all the questions you can think of, sweetie. There are probably transfer fees, and make sure all your courses count for the same number of credits.”
I shut the door. “I know, Mom. If there’s a way for a university to make money, they’ll find it.”
“That’s for sure,” Aunt Jackie said, wandering to the kitchen. “Well… this isn’t as spiffy as the outside.”
I chuckled. “Rafferty has cabinets in the guest bedroom, and plans to put in new appliances. Apparently, the kitchen was the last thing he planned to renovate.”
“Okay, well, show me the rest.”
Mom stood in the middle of the living room. “I can’t believe he has that piece you had your eye on for so long.”
“Don’t read too much into that, Mom. He did it out of spite.”
Mom laughed. “What?”
“It’s a long story.”
I gave them a tour of the house.
We meandered back to the kitchen and Aunt Jackie leaned against the counter. “Okay, we can hit Carmine’s for lunch, then drive to the campus and—”
I held up my hands. “Aunt Jackie, I already called the registration office and then the head of the dental program.”
“Oh. What’d they say?”
I pressed my lips together. “Their deadline to apply for a transfer is in three days, but that’s for a winter start.” I looked at Mom. “I’ll still have to be in Gainesville through the fall semester.”
Mom's eyes turned sharp. “Would all of your credits carry over?”
“I’m waiting to hear from the dean of the dental department about that.”
“Let’s go to the living room. You two seem tense,” Aunt Jackie suggested.
Mom sat on the sofa with Jackie and I perched on a nearby chair.
“Your father’s told me a little of what’s going on, but are you safe in Gainesville?”
“I should be.”
That earned me a pointed look. “This isn’t the time for ‘should be’ to enter the chat, as you say.”
I fought off a cringe and an eye-roll. “Right. Rafferty is going back to Gainesville with me for a day or two to make sure everything’s good.”
“I’ll just bet he is,” Aunt Jackie said.
I turned wide eyes to her.
She grinned. “What? Now you know how I felt last year when you were being so snarky about Simone and Steel.”
Mom sighed. “Have you put out feelers for a new roommate?”
I tilted my head. “No. Ines just passed this week, Mom.”
She did a long blink and nodded once. “I know, but it’d be better if you stayed in that place if it’s still safe. That way you don’t have to put up another deposit or get tied to a nine- or twelve-month lease.”
