“Good. You made an impression. You are going to work with her and help create meal plans for the baseball team. Also, I know your dad. Great man.” His eyes held a glint of a memory and a small smile formed on his face.
“He’s my favorite,” I added and he almost smiled again. “I would be honored.”
“Good. Radcliffe, you know a lot about football, but they didn’t need help seeing as the season is already starting. I spoke with the basketball coach and the hockey coach. They are vastly different, but what would you prefer?”
“T-to work with them?”
“Yes. This is an extended project, which, if done right and done well, can turn into an internship for the following year. It’s a creative class. I worked the system. You don’t need to head to lectures anymore. Instead, the three of us will meet once a week and your grade will come from Nicole, for you, Callie, and whoever you decide to work with, Radcliffe.”
“Holy shit.” Radcliffe’s polite demeanor cracked. I barked out a laugh. Patz laughed, too. “Hockey. I think I’d like that.”
“Then you’ll work with Greg. He’s a hard ass, but he’ll teach you things. Read over this. I’ll email you both to meet next week. I encourage you two to work together. Now, get out.”
I held on to the paper and followed Radcliffe through the door. His face matched how I felt and once we were out of earshot and in the long corridor, we jumped up and down. “Oh, my god!”
“This is amazing.” He blinked a couple of times and I hugged him. I didn’t care if he’d been rude before, this was fan-fucking-tastic. He hugged me back and we broke apart, smiling. “This is like a dream come true.”
“I know. If we do well…we might have an internship next year. Shit.” I sat on the nearest bench and held up a high five. “Nice work, Radcliffe, king of awesomeness and bad-assery.”
He chuckled and sat next to me. “Same to you.”
“I might be in shock.” I saw the sheet had Nicole’s number on it. “I have to reach out and contact her. Is yours like that, too?”
“Yeah. I’m not brave enough to call right now.” He smiled weakly at me. “Can I say something?”
“Sure. I’m not stopping you. I’m too happy right now. Unless you ruin my mood.” I meant it as a joke, but I saw him hesitate.
“I’m sorry for how I treated you back at the library. I feel awful about it. I’m a nice guy, really. I just… I categorized you.” He hung his head low. “I would like to be friends, if you still want to be.”
“I’d like that too, but if you insult me or my friend choice again, I’ll beat your ass.”
“I’ll do my best to remember that.” He stood up and shook his head. “Congrats again—this is thrilling. I should probably call my parents.”
“Shit! I should too!” I pulled out my phone and waved at him as he walked away. I called my dad first, who would openly express his excitement. He answered on the second ring.
“Callie girl. To what do I owe this call? Shouldn’t you be in class?” I heard the sound of a batting cage and smiled, imaging him feeding balls into the pitching machine and holding a conversation with his daughter.
“Nah, just left and I have some good news.”
“All right. Lay it on me.” He chuckled and I told him everything. I told him about the opportunities and how the year off had benefited me more than I could’ve imagined. He didn’t say anything at first and I heard a cough of sorts. I forgot I was still semi upset with him. I just wanted to share the news with them.
“Dad, you there?”
“I’m wallowing like a man-child. Give me a minute.” He sniffed and my own eyes stung. “I’m damn proud of you, Callie girl. Hell…I knew you were tough and determined, you obviously get it from me, but you already made a name for yourself at that big university.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I wiped away a tear. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can’t say I’m surprised, hon. You might not have agreed with your mom and my decision last year, but everything happens for a reason. You appreciate everything you’re going through and you don’t take nothin’ for granted. I can’t believe my only girl gets to work with the damn baseball team.” He paused, clearing his throat. “You proved me wrong, kid.”
I blinked, the sting in my eyes too much.This. Thisis what I wanted the past year.The approval, the pride, the words every kid wants to hear from their idol. “Th-thanks, Dad.”
“Callie girl, I know you might not understandwhyyour mother and I put you through that, but damn. Bold moves require bold moves. You pushed back at us and fought us tooth and nail but look where you are.” He sniffed again, turning it into a cough.
“Your dad-isms are ridiculous,” I replied with a shaky laugh. My emotions were running haywire. It took me being away from home to miss the hell out of them. And maybe I’d found a reason for all their madness all those years.
“Call your mom. I need to go hit some hard grounders or something to man up. I love you.”
“Love you too, Dad.”
