“Check the rest,” I say, encouraging her to open her phone as I wander toward a stone bench. We sit as she pulls up her texts.
“Mom was appointed Dean of Northview University Medical College. Dad is replacing Ayan’s father as Dean of Arts and Sciences.”
We release deep sighs of relief. I close my eyes, then open them, staring at the winter’s pink sky. “Two down…”
“More to go,” she agrees. “Closer to the root.”
“We’ll fill the positions one by one with the right people. The board is almost fully allies now. We have the POT under control.”
She nods. “Just the president and elders to face now.”
“The elders…” I sigh, unsure how to deal with them. Supposedly, the most powerful on campus, doling out orders to the president herself. Or is it the other way around now?
That afternoon, President Damon releases a statement. In true form, the words are filled with syllables but lack meaning.
“We must do more to protect our students”and“The new Dean of Health Sciences will implement rules to ensure something like this can’t happen again. We are actively working to replace this role.”
“She’s using the excuse that she wasledto believe she was doing the right thing?” Scout paces in our house, holding up an accusatory finger at the evening news. “Bywhom?”
“PreviousDean Townsend. She’s placing the blame onhim. And no one can ask if he came up with the plans because, well, he’s already dead.”
“Convenient.”
I cut into my lamb and stuff a bite into my mouth. Mom and Dad visited for dinner and brought over a week’s worth of food.
“I don’t understand what’s going on, but I’m just so glad that you’re out of there,” Mom tells Scout.
Dad claps me on the back. “Sounds like you did the right thing.”
The evening stretches on where my mom gets to know Scout more as the two discuss the recipe she made tonight. Though I don’t know why. I’ll make it for us.
But when Scout turns around to see if I’m watching, she gives me a wink.
Oh…she’s doing this because she wants to know more aboutme. And share things I like, too.
“You’re drooling.” Dad taps my thigh as we stretch back on the sofa Atlas hauled over for us.
“Am I?”
Dad smirks. “Welcome to being intoxicated by your wife.” He stares at Mom for a long moment, and I smile. I’ve been happily blessed with great parents. “Oh!” He groans as he shifts up to sit. “These deep cushions are killer on my back. Help your old man up.”
I stand and grab his hand, aiding him off the couch. Dad’s in amazing shape. Goes to the gym every day. But he is getting on in years. Quite a bit older than Mom. Plus, Leo, Atlas, Nico, and I were not easy on him.
“Sunshine? You ready?” He wanders behind Mom and gives her a squeeze.
“Yeah, just let me put the rest of these away.”
“Oh no, Essa. I’ve got them,” Scout says, hurrying to gather the leftovers. “I can’t thank you enough for coming over. We needed this.”
Mom hugs her goodbye, then gives me a tiny kiss on my cheek. “You’re welcome to crash in our basement, too, if you ever need?—”
“No, you’re not.” Dad lowers his voice and grits out, “We’re getting themoutof the house, sunshine.”
She giggles as they leave, muttering something about Dad being the one to want all the babies in the first place.
As soon as the door shuts, Scout’s there by my side. “Your parents are awesome.”
I shrug. “So are yours.”
