Page 77 of After the Snap

I bite the inside of my cheek, but it doesn’t do anything to stop my smile.

I stand by my choices.

Old Man

Except the one you changed with eleven seconds left.

I laugh and glance toward the open door before remembering Jubal isn’t on the other side of it anymore. I take a picture of the Bluetooth menu and send it before he can become too pleased with himself.

Since you’re feeling smug, I’m presenting evidence of the hostile work environment you’ve had to endure.

The dots appear, disappear, then appear again.

Old Man

I’m changing the Wi-Fi password.

I don’t think that’s how Bluetooth works.

Old Man

I’m old. Technology is confusing.

I laugh again and lean back in my chair. I can hear him saying it with that dry expression he gets when he knows exactly how ridiculous he’s being, and picturing him makes me laugh all over again.

At least you’re finally accepting your limitations. Growth looks good on you.

This time the dots appear twice before his response comes through.

Old Man

Aren’t you supposed to be studying?

I look at the six explanations that have become four while we’ve been talking.

Aren’t you supposed to be watching film?

Old Man

I am.

Clearly, very focused.

Old Man

Says the woman texting me while she’s supposed to be reviewing an MCAT practice set.

He has me there, which is irritating enough that I refuse to acknowledge it.

Go watch your film, Grandpa.

Old Man

Finish your review, Pea. And stop changing the right answers.

I’m still smiling as I put my phone back beside my laptop and pull the practice set closer. I work through the four explanations I have left, going back to the passages when I need to, until I can see exactly where I went wrong. By the time I finish, I don’t need thirty more questions tomorrow to figure out whether I understand the material; I need enough time pressure to see whether I’ll trust what I know when the clock is running. I reopen my schedule and cut the extra block from thirty questions to fifteen.

I close the spreadsheet and start gathering my notebooks, but the 78 percent at the top of the practice set catches my attention again. Instead of closing the laptop, I reach for my phone, take a picture of the score, and open my messages with Jubal.