“Not at all. Good morning, Dr. Hale.”
“I've been meaning to call. I wanted to check in, make sure you're doing well. We've all seen the news coverage.”
My lungs feel tight.
“I see,” I manage.
“I want to say, on behalf of the school, that we stand behind you completely.”
I let out the breath I've been holding. “That means a lot. Thank you.”
“Of course. It sounds like a private matter between two adults, and frankly it speaks well of you that Mr. Rhodes has been so public about his regard for you.” A smile in her voice. “He seems like a remarkable man.”
“He is,” I say.
I don't hear Walker in the doorway until I turn and find him there, leaning against the frame in his sweatpants, eyes moving from me to the suitcase on the bed.
Put it on speaker,he mouths.
I do.
“So glad to hear the summer has been such a positive experience,” Dr. Hale is saying. “We were a little concerned when the story first broke, but it sounds like it's worked out beautifully for everyone involved.”
“It has,” I say. A little stiff now. A little leery. Because she’s just a little too cheerful about all of this, and it’s starting to set off some alarm bells inside my head.
“Wonderful.” A brief pause, the sound of papers being shuffled. “Now Sadie, I don't want to put you on the spot, and please feel free to say no, but I wanted to float something past you while I had you on the line.”
Her tone shifts slightly. Still warm. A little shrewd now, too.
“We're doing a fundraising push for our music program this fall. Given your connection to Mr. Rhodes, I was wondering whether he might consider coming in to speak to the students. Or a small performance. Or if that's not feasible, a donation to the program, perhaps?”
I pause. Take in exactly what’s happening here. What I thought this conversation was about, and what it really is about instead.
A transaction.
Of course. I guess this is as good an introduction to city life versus small town as anything else.
“I'll talk to him about it,” I say. “I'll let you know.”
“Of course. Anything you can do.” A warm laugh. “We're so looking forward to having you, Sadie. See you in a few days.”
“See you then.”
I hang up.
I sit on the edge of the bed with the half-packed suitcase in front of me and the phone in my hand and I stare at the floor.
Walker pushes off the doorframe and comes in. Sits beside me, close enough that his thigh is against mine.
“I feel so stupid,” I say. “For thinking for a minute there she actually cared about me as a human being.”
His hand comes to my back, just resting, his palm warm and flat between my shoulderblades.
“That’s how it goes in that world,” he says. “Wealth. Fame. Clout. That’s the currency.” His thumb moves across my shoulder blade. “You're not stupid. You're just not used to it yet.”
“Doesn’t it wear on you? Everyone wanting to use you like that?”
“Sure, it did. It’s one reason I walked away from it all. Haven’t regretted it for a moment.”
