Page 85 of Barefoot Lake

About an hour later, William’s eyes slide to the clock on his desk, and he starts.

“My goodness! Look at the time. You’re going to be late for your next class!” he exclaims and stands.

Alice’s face falls.

“It’s alright. I don’t have an afternoon class today. I can stay,” she protests.

“No, no. You’re young. You should be outdoors, not cooped up in an old man’s stuffy office. You’ve let me prattle on far too long. Besides, I must get back to work.” William steps around his desk and walks to his door.

I follow Alice when she reluctantly stands up. When she stands in front of him, I see physical similarities between them, in his smile and his blue-grey eyes.

“Thank you for your time, Sir. It was very helpful,” Alice says quietly.

“Of course! It’s always a pleasure to speak with someone as clever as you are,” William answers, holding out his hand. I don’t think he notices Alice’s hesitation before she takes it to shake.

William turns to me.

“Good man, coming along to listen to us go on and on.”

“I was happy to listen, Professor. It was good to meet you,” I say honestly. He shakes my hand, too, and we leave.

We sign out at the front office before walking to the car in silence.

Once we’re in the car and back on the highway toward Boston, Alice says, “He’s why I can’t leave Boston, Jake.”

I don’t know what to say. I really have no idea what it would feel like to be in her shoes.

“He’s a kind man,” I awkwardly shift the conversation instead.

“This was a good visit. Sometimes, I can’t pick up on who I’m supposed to be to him, and I say or do something wrong, and he gets frustrated. It’s easier when he thinks I’m one of his students, though. He seems most comfortable when he’s a professor. He taught for decades. I think it was his true love in life. It was his colleagues who noticed he wasn’t well.”

“Did you know he was an English professor before you met?”

“I didn’t. My Mom told me my dad was in theater. I don’t know if he lied to her because acting sounded cooler to a pretty girl in a bar, or if she changed the story for me. It was a surprising discovery, though. Funny how the world works sometimes.”

She leans her head on my shoulder, and I hold her hand. Her breathing is even, but every few seconds, I feel a tear drop land on the back of my hand.

CHAPTER 33

Alice

Itexted Piper when Jake and I were five minutes from her place, so she’s standing outside her apartment building when we pull up.

When Jake gets out of his truck to get my bag from the back, Piper fixes him with a suspicious look, and I hastily wipe my face again. I’ve cleaned myself up as best as I can, and I hope my eyes aren’t red from crying. I don’t need Piper to misinterpret and punch Jake on the street.

I take my bag from Jake, and he pulls me tight against him, pressing his lips to my hair.

“I’ll see you in a few days,” I say into his shirt.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come down and get you?” he offers for the umpteenth time.

“Thank you, but I’m sure. You’re allowed to get me from the bus station, but that’s all.”

“Alright. You two.” He releases me and pauses before uncomfortably finishing. “Have fun.”

While I’m thrilled to be seeing Piper, there’s nothing fun about starting the process of returning to a job I don’t like or finding an apartment in a city that I don’t want to live in anymore. I think Jake knows that.

Jake and Piper exchange waves before Jake gets back in his truck. He waits until Piper and I are in her building before pulling away.