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Emma
My last class ended early and I was happy to have my Thanksgiving break. Other than a meeting with Ben and some tennis with Helen, I’d be off to Pine Falls with Zach through the weekend. I got home and was the first one to see the thick envelope from Columbia. It was like it had eyes, following me around the room. I wanted to rip it open and find out my fate. Yes, a stupid manila envelope held my future and by the looks of it, it had to be an acceptance package. I doubted Columbia would send a lengthy fifty-page rejection.
I distracted myself by putting clothes together. We were leaving first thing Thursday morning. Dad already had the bird picked out and for some reason, Wendy’s son was in town so he’d be along for Thanksgiving too. And when I found out Genie’s parents were in Washington for the holiday and she’d be spending the day alone, she gave up Black Friday shopping to spend a few days with us. We were going to have a full house, and I’d already bought all the groceries.
Zach breezed through the door and didn’t even notice the envelope. He set down his school bag, pulled me into his arms and kissed me. “Six glorious days without school. I love it.”
I pointed to the dining room table. Zach glanced over and saw it laying there. He released me and took the envelope into his hands. Without hesitation, he tore it open and after reading through its contents, he smiled.
“I’m in.”
“Congratulations,” I said. I wanted to be happy, but I was scared at the same time. I’d already agreed to go to New York with him, but that didn’t make the idea of it any easier.
“It’s going to be awesome. We’ll find a great little apartment near everything. And I promise we’ll come back to Minnesota as often as possible.”
“I know. I guess I better start sending out my college applications. I have to get my transfer sorted out too.”
“I’ll help you out with that. It will work out.”
He called his parents, and texted Genie. He went through a list of other people and I watched him from our dining room table, a million different thoughts going through my head. I’d decided on Smith University, which was a small college not too far from Columbia. I’d already checked and all my school credits would transfer. I’d finish up my degree, hopefully find a job and try to set some money aside. I’d already begun stalking empty storefronts all over the city wondering where I could put a New York-style deli. I had no idea what start-up costs would be, but that was years away.
I let Zach savor his moment and when I got ready to go to the Taylor Tennis Club, Zach was prepping for an evening out with his friends.
“We’re going to catch a bite to eat and hit FIXX. I won’t be out late. I know you want to set off early in the morning.”
He dropped me off at the tennis club and I went in search of Ben. He was in the spare office, the one Marc had set up for us complete with an archaic desktop and a printer circa 2005. Ben was printing and organizing when I walked in. He didn’t bother looking up.
“I’ve made some schedules based on your availability. I’ve also designed some posters to put up around the club. Do you think you could put some up at your school?” he asked. He hadn’t officially acknowledged me yet.
“Well, hello to you too.”
“Right, yes, hello. About the posters.”
“Sure, but I’m not sure it will get anybody signing up. University students aren’t exactly millionaires.”
“I hear your boyfriend is,” he said, glancing up, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
How did he know about Zach? “My boyfriend doesn’t need tennis lessons.”
He smirked. “Sure, whatever.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.” Ben was about to say something else but paused. Then he started talking again. “Your boyfriend was here yesterday.”
“He mentioned that. I think he thought my classes ended a lot earlier than they did.”
Ben smiled and shook his head. “Guess he covered his bases.”
That statement caught me completely off guard. Zach had mentioned that he’d come by. Why was Ben implying there was more to it? “Do you care to explain yourself?”
“Not really.”
“Why did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Smile. What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. When you go home, say hi to him.”
Okay, something had happened. Ben had probably been his jerk self. The guy had no social graces.
He handed me some of his printouts. “Since I’m here more than you are, I’ve been coming up with some lesson plans that include some strength training and some relaxation techniques. I’d even like to incorporate some yoga and possibly meditation.”
“Yoga and meditation? I’m not making fun of it, but will people go for it?”
“We can make it optional. You do know I’m a yogi, right?”
My jaw dropped. This jerk was a yogi? Couldn’t they tell he was a dick and throw him out of yoga school? “You don’t seem like the type of person to have the patience for yoga.”
“I don’t have the patience for whiners. There’s a huge difference.”
I wasn’t in the mood to argue with him. “Okay, this all works for me, but I don’t have much yoga or meditation experience.”
“I figured you’d focus more on strength training, but if you’d like, I can teach you some basic yoga and meditation techniques.”
I didn’t want Ben teaching me anything. “Why don’t you stick to that since it’s your area of expertise?”
I looked through the lessons and for the most part, they were pretty good. I’d make some modifications to my lessons but not many drastic changes.
“I updated the website with my limited knowledge and have given you administrator status to modify class times and anything else you want to do. I’ve created a mock schedule there, so look it over before it goes live. Marc already has a couple of clients set up for you for one-on-one classes and one group of three classes. Once you confirm the classes, we can start in the new year.”
“Let me guess, you’re completely booked?”
He shrugged. “Nope. I only have two bookings so far. That’s why I’ve decided to offer the yoga and meditation. It might get a few more people interested.”
I could have poked fun at him but I actually felt a little bad for him. Mr. Macho had fewer bookings than little ol’ me. “I’m sure once everyone knows about it, you’ll be all booked up.”
He sort of smiled. “I hope so.”
“I could take a few more posters and put them up around campus and Julian’s. I could ask Zach to do the same.”
“Thanks. Much appreciated.”
I met Helen for our one-hour session. Since I was teaching classes, I couldn’t participate in tournaments anymore. Helen was disappointed, but I promised to find her another partner. Besides, we’d won every tournament we’d entered. Hadn’t she had enough glory?
I got home and packed for our five days in Pine Falls. I thought it was a bit strange that Genie was coming with us and spending the entire time in Pine Falls. My hometown wasn’t exactly a vast metropolis. What would she do for five days? Sure, the huge outlet mall was about an hour’s drive, but how many hours could she spend there? Stupid question. She’d probably spend all five days there. The most important thing was that I didn’t want her to be alone for the holidays.
With the apartment to myself, I pulled out a book and looked forward to my weekend away; a drama-free holiday.