Jesse took Arthur’s hand and kissed it. It was so wonderful to see Arthur this happy. Whether Arthur had managed to internalize it or not, he was making the right choice. Emma’s talent for writing would only blossom more over time. Most importantly, Emma would be thrilled to be able to write for a newspaper someday. Everyone reallyshouldhave the chance to read her writing.
Jesse’s eyes widened as an idea popped into his head. He turned to Arthur.
“Arthur, what would happen if other people read Emma’s article?” he asked. “Other people in your circle, I mean.”
Arthur let out a puff of air. “I’d probably be ostracized. If they knew what it meant with regard to her future, that is.”
Jesse tipped his head toward Arthur and raised both his eyebrows, hoping that it might make his point for him. Arthur’s eyes widened, and he sucked in a fast breath.
“God in heaven, that’s perfect,” he said. “That’s perfect and you’re perfect and I love you.”
Charlotte laughed from her chair. “Care to tell us what this is about?”
“Jesse has come up with the mostspectacularidea. I can prove my sincerity to Emma, completely obliterate my relationship withmy parents, and burn every single bridge I have with every other family from our stuffy little neighborhood in one fell swoop.”
Claire squeaked excitedly, and Charlotte shook her head in chastisement.
“What?” Claire asked, reeling back and placing a hand over her heart. “It sounds fun.”
Charlotte chuckled. “You’re terrible.”
“Isn’t that one of the reasons why you love me?” Claire asked.
Smiling madly, Charlotte took Claire’s hand.
“Yes, one of themanyreasons,” she said.
Arthur waved his hands back and forth. “You can be lovey later. Right now, we’re supposed to be talking about Jesse’s wonderful, terrible idea.”
“Which is what?” Giuseppe asked from the floor.
Arthur twisted around to look at the wall clock.
“Good. It’s only ten. There’s still plenty of time.” He stood up suddenly. “Giuseppe, find your beau and tell him that he needs to take us over to Putnam Press.”
“All of us?” Charlotte asked.
“All of us,” Arthur confirmed.
“Oh, this is so exciting!” Claire said, releasing Charlotte’s hand so she could clap.
Sighing, Giuseppe hobbled to his feet. “Am I really expected to come too?”
“Don’t pretend you aren’t excited about spending time with Patrick. Really, Giuseppe, the two of you couldn’t be more obvious.”
Scowling, Giuseppe walked off to fetch Patrick, his cheeks rosy red. Moments later, Giuseppe returned with Patrick by his side, the two of them holding hands.
“Are you happy now?” Giuseppe asked Arthur, holding up their linked hands.
“Very,” Arthur said, which made every single person except Giuseppe laugh (though Jesse could tell that he was fighting back a smile, too). Arthur began to rub his hands together excitedly. “Now, who’s ready to learn how to work a Gordon Jobber?”
***
Jesse was finishing up recreating the forme for Emma’s World’s Fair article when Giuseppe sat next to him and picked up one of the nearby type letters.
“Do you think I could ever learn how to do this?” he asked.
“Probably.” Jesse pushed the wooden composing stick over to him. “Give it a try.”
