Dear Grant,
Truly, there is no need to thank me.
Through her wish, Sara invited you into the decision about her future. Do not restrict yourself to sharing facts. The best choice is rarely discovered through logic alone. She deserves your perceptions, too.
I advise you to back away from your concerns over Lacey and Kimberley. Sara has more experience with human friendships than you. I can’t see how your interventions could have a positive effect.
Sara is fortunate that the League sent you. Allow her to benefit from your unique blend of wisdom and experience, and stand aside for those problems that are solved with an apology.
Best,
Camarin
21
Permanent Fork
Mom had scheduled me at the shop on Tuesday morning. She had a new vendor to meet, a lady who made beautiful stained-glass lampshades. There wasn’t a huge call for that kind of lampshade, but Mom had ideas for other items that the artist could try instead.
I enjoyed my time in the showroom. Dad stayed in the business office, studying our sales data on the computer, and came out periodically to check on me. Two regular customers dropped in, looking for summery dresses to wear to weddings. They left with jewelry too.
After turning the showroom over to the intern, I left. I’d originally planned to head over to the college admissions office, but I went straight home instead. The information my genie had collected could change the conversation at Piedmont.
I walked out to the patio and spoke eagerly at the lantern. “Grant, do you have good news for me?”
He emerged from his residence, his face alight with excitement. “Indeed. Shall we go into the house? You will want to have your tablet with you as I share the options.”
We ended up in the family room, side by side on the leather couch, me with the iPad on my lap.
“Please check your email. I’ve sent you a variety of resources to browse.” After I’d opened the message, he pointed to the top link. “If you wish to continue with attending Piedmont, you may take French this summer online. You would have to register immediately. Most reputable programs won’t allow you to complete a course in less than a month.”
“Would Piedmont accept it?”
He gave me a stoic look. “I’ve verified that Piedmont will accept courses as long as they are accredited.”
“So option one is to take the class online and start the fall at Piedmont as if nothing happened.”
“That is correct. However, you would still face the issue of registering late for classes, and the most desirable sections would likely be full. You might wish to consider an entirely different school for the fall semester. Magnolia Community College, as an example.”
“Full-time?”
“Indeed. Since I suspect that you would ultimately choose to transfer to a four-year school, you could acquire the third French credit at MCC. Perhaps you could also take writing or sociology, classes that will fit into any bachelor’s degree curriculum.”
“That sounds solid. Where would I live?”
“You didn’t ask me to discover that.”
“Jerk.” I laughed.
“Indeed,” he said, struggling to control a grin. “I have a third option for you. The public university system in North Carolina only requirestwoyears of a world language. And many private universities do not haveanylanguage requirement.”
Wow. He was thorough. I hadn’t thought of that. “Great news, but it doesn’t do me any good. It’s too late to apply.”
“Not for all. Some colleges have rolling admission. For instance, I believe that Newman College might be worth considering for the fall.”
Newman College was somewhere in the mountains of Virginia. “I’ve heard of it, but that’s about all I know. I think it’s near the Appalachian Trail.” Which would be far away from here.
“If you applied today, you’d know within two weeks if you’ve been accepted. And there are more alternatives for you to ponder.”
