“You can tell Grammie all about our Central Park adventures. Here.” Matthew loaded Clarissa’s contact information on his tablet. To call her, all Emily would have to do was tap the button on the screen. “Do you wanna see if she’s around to talk while I get the other computer?”
“Okay.”
Emily accepted the tablet and called Clarissa. While she was waiting for the call to connect, Matthew wormed his way out from beneath the blankets and climbed off the bed. Damien had bought him a new laptop when he’d seen the sorry state of Matthew’s tablet, but it was so expensive that Matthew was too nervous to use it when Emily was nearby. One sticky finger and the pristine screen would be toast.
If he was lucky, Clarissa would keep those sticky fingers busy.
When Matthew returned to the bed with his new laptop, Clarissa answered the call.
“Hi, jellybean!” As usual, Clarissa was a ball of sunshine. “Look at you! Did you grow up since the last time you called?”
“No.” Emily giggled. “I’m still little, Grammie!”
Matthew accessed his account on the NYU website and picked up where he’d left off. He’d already written his admission essay, but his profile was in desperate need of some TLC.
“Tell me all about New York, you big brave girl.” Clarissa sighed dreamily. “Is it pretty?”
“Yeah!”
“What things do you like about it?”
That question alone would keep Emily occupied for hours. Matthew took the time he needed to finish everything properly while his daughter went on about the cute pigeons and how they bobbed as they made their way down the sidewalk, then launched into the wonder that was middle park. Once there was nothing left to adjust on his profile, Matthew read it over three times to make sure it was cohesive.
Everything looked good.
“And how’s your daddy doing?” Clarissa asked as Matthew uploaded his admission essay.
“Good!”
“Do you like his boyfriend?”
“Yes.” Emily beamed. “His name is Mimi and I like him lots. He’s funny.”
“What kinds of things do you like the best about him?”
The upload bar inched forward, but Matthew didn’t pay it much attention. His eyes were pointed at the screen, but his focus was on the current topic of conversation.
“Mmm…” Emily cocked her head to the side. “I like lotsa things, but… mmm… I like when him and Daddy are silly and laughing the best.”
Matthew dipped his head and angled it slightly away from Emily, hoping she wouldn’t see him smile. When he’d made the decision to move to New York, he’d been afraid that Emily might not take to Damien, but that hadn’t been the case. Damien was the zany, intelligent, and strong role model that Emily needed, and hearing her say such nice things was a tremendous relief.
“And also when we eat ice cream!”
“Ice cream? How do I get in on this deal?”
“You’re too far away, Grammie. You gotta come visit!” Emily snuggled into the corner where the back of the couch met the arm. She tucked GeeGee around her. “You’re gonna like Mimi, too. He’s the bestest boyfriend ever.”
“I’m glad you think so. It sounds like you’re having a good time.”
Matthew’s essay finished loading. He took a moment to review his information, then hit submit. It was another step toward the future he wanted and the life Emily deserved. Coming to New York had been a good step in the right direction, but he wouldn’t stop striving to improve himself. Meeting Damien had filled the social and personal void in Matthew’s life, but no matter how blistering and true their love was, it wouldn’t help Matthew achieve professional success.
The future was Matthew’s to shape. He wouldn’t let it fall to pieces.
One application down, one to go.
While Matthew keyed his password into the next school’s registration portal, the front door opened. Damien had come home early.
“Mimi!” Emily jumped up from the bed, bringing the tablet with her. “Mimi! Mimi! Mimi!”
