17
False Protests
I sat at the kitchen table on Friday, eating breakfast and wondering vaguely what I should do with my day. I wasn’t needed at the shop. My parents had remained in Magnolia Grove this weekend to handle the Fourth of July Sale.
There was only one more wish for the packing project. Sean’s desk. With Independence Day tomorrow, the symbolism was too much. So…not going near his desk.
I hadn’t planned past his room. I had another seventeen wishes and no ideas. Could I just send Grant home early?
Maybe it would look bad on his record, like being fired. I wouldn’t do that to him. Besides, I didn’t want him to go. He was serving me, but he wasn’t a servant. I enjoyed the relationship we had.
Should I give Grant today and tomorrow off? He could choose for himself how to spend them.
I must have really been lost in my thoughts, because there was a light rap on the tabletop. Startled, I looked up.
Dad was smiling at me. “You look lovely today.”
Not true, but nice of him to say. “Thanks, Dad.”
He kissed the top of my head. “Do you have plans?”
“No. I might see what Kimberley and Lacey are doing.”
He gestured toward the kitchen desk. “A letter from Piedmont College arrived for you yesterday. Did you see it?”
When I shook my head, he handed it to me. I tore into the envelope. Finally.
Dear Ms. Tucker,
We have received your letter explaining the circumstances of your final semester of high school. Our condolences on your loss.
We are reinstating your status as an incoming freshman. However, until you have completed a third credit in French, you will be on academic probation.
You had indicated an interest in living on campus. Regretfully, the residence halls have filled for the fall semester. While you may remain on the waitlist, you should make arrangements to commute.
You are welcome to discuss your status with one of our admissions counselors. We will be closed Friday through Monday for the holiday weekend and will reopen for normal business hours on July 7.
Please acknowledge receipt of this letter in writing no later than August 1, and confirm your intention to join us at Piedmont College this fall.
Okay, wow. Just how bad was this? How exactly would “academic probation” affect me?
Would I be allowed to attend orientation?
When would I get my chance to register for classes? If I was at the bottom of the priority list, all of the good sections would be taken.
Would this change how the professors viewed me? After only a minute of knowing my new status, I already felt different about myself. It wouldn’t be surprising if the faculty did, too.
And where was I supposed to find housing? I couldn’t commute from home because it would begone.
My mind loosened and expanded, like someone had dropped the jigsaw puzzle of my future and the pieces had flown apart. What a mess.
“Everything okay?” Dad asked.
“Um...” I forced a smile to my face. “Just routine stuff. Enrollment details.”
“Good.” He turned as my mother clattered down the back stairs.
Mom stopped near the back door. “We’ll be home late. I want to make sure everything’s ready for the sale. If you need us, just text.”
