Less than an hour later, Martin called back. He assured George that Collin’s transcript was top-notch. “Based on your hearty recommendation, I’m happy to accept him.”
“That’s wonderful!”
“As you must know, we don’t normally handle applicants like this, but enrollment was slightly low and I feel Collin will be a great addition to our student body. Feel free to give him the good news, George. My assistant will handle everything else via email. She’ll help Collin to connect with the registrar and all that.”
George thanked him profusely. “You have a great vacation, Martin. I hope to be in touch with you this fall.”
“Maybe you can pay us a visit.”
“I’d like that.” George thanked Martin again. After he hung up he was so excited that he decided to walk back to the bookstore to share the good news with Collin in person.
He found Collin straightening a sales table. “You won’t believe it,” George told him. “But you’ve been accepted.”
“Are you serious?” Collin’s eyes were wide. “Just like that?”
“Well, Mr. Howard explained to me that he just happened to be in his office today. We were lucky to catch him there tying up some loose ends. Anyway, he did a quick review of your transcript and was suitably impressed.” George paused to catch his breath. “He and his wife will head off to Canada for a cross-country train trip tomorrow, and he won’t be back in his office until late July. So it was pretty good timing.”
Collin’s face lit up in a big smile. “Thanks so much, Mr.Emerson. This is the best news ever. I never dreamed you’d get results this quickly. It didn’t seem possible.”
George nodded. “I was a bit taken aback too.”
“How about if you tell my grandmother the good news? I’m sure she’ll be relieved—and happy.”
As George strolled through town, he felt a real sense of accomplishment. Not only had he helped to cheer up Collin, but Willow ought to be pleased as well.
twenty
Willow didn’t know what to say after George shared his “big news.” She wasn’t usually speechless, but at the moment she was afraid to speak—afraid she’d say something regrettable. She went back behind the counter, relieved that she was the only one working in the gallery this afternoon, as she attempted to wrap her head around what George had just told her.
“Isn’t this great?” George asked with enthusiasm.
“Let me get this clear,” she began slowly. “Collin plans to go to Whitfield College? This fall?”
“That’s right. I thought you’d be pleased.”
“But how on earth did this happen? And why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“I just saw Collin at the bookstore. He asked me to come over here and tell you for him.”
“But why did he keep this a secret from me?”
“It wasn’t meant to be a secret, Willow. More like an unexpected surprise. It all happened rather quickly.” George briefly explained about Marissa and Collin’s breakup,and about his friend’s recent appointment as president of George’s alma mater.
“I’m sorry to appear dense,” she said. “But this is not making sense.”
“You see, Collin was in a bad way,” George said slowly. “He was completely brokenhearted over Marissa breaking up—”
“Collin never said a word to me about any of this. Neither did Marissa. But you’re saying that Collin went toyouwith his troubles?”
“Is there anything wrong with that?” George looked offended, but Willow wasn’t sure she cared. After all, she was offended herself.
“No, there’s nothing wrong with that.” She shook her head. “But I do feel a bit left out. Collin usually communicates with me.” At least he used to communicate. But then Josie entered the picture. And there was Marissa. “Did Collin and Marissa really break up?”
“Yes. That’s why Collin was suddenly so interested in this college. And he’s so happy about it, he wanted me to tell you he’d been accepted.”
“And he is accepted? Just like that? How on earth does that happen?”
George told her about someone named Martin who just happened to be in his office before going to Canada with his wife.
