Chương 32: Book 2 - Chapter 6 C

The rest of the week was very busy, going back and forth to the University to pick up books and going shopping for school supplies. I dialed the phone after copying all my software, and boxing it up.

"Sterling, Malley & Associates, Jennifer Parz speaking."

"Ms Parz, this is John Cook."

"Hello Mr Cook," she said formally. I laughed.

"Call me John," I told her.

"Ms Parz makes me feel old," she said warmly.

"Call me Jennifer."

"Okay. I just wanted to let you know I'm putting everything in the mail for Heartland. As soon as the deal is signed hand it over."

"Everything?" she asked.

"Source code and software?"

"Sounds like you've been learning the industry," I said.

"Yes, everything."

"I have," she said, and paused.

"Okay, I've made a note. Why everything?"

"I'll have no time for months. They will need to add company logos and other information to the credits section of the software."

"I know they were handling the design work for the boxes for the games. I got the samples yesterday, did you want to review them?"

"Unless you think it's awful, no," I told her.

"I start at the University tomorrow. I picked them because they have a great team."

"They are moving ahead. I've received the funds from your Grandpa. I think it'll be signed in the next week."

"Excellent, Jennifer. Thank you."

"Your welcome," she said, with a smile.

"It's been a fun project. I'll be available if you need me for another project."

"I'm definitely keeping you on. I want you to continue to be my interface with Heartland."

"Oh. I can do that," she said, with surprise.

"Did you want me to do something like sit on the board meetings for you?"

"Yes, please. It might be close, but I just don't have the time."

"I understand. I remember my College time. If I wasn't studying I was asleep."

"I'm expecting something similar. I've got six classes, but I plan to test out of as many as I can."

"That's ambitious," she said.

"That's me," I agreed.

"I'll get these in the mail tomorrow. You should have them tomorrow."

"That soon?" she asked with surprise.

"I'll give them to FedEx," I explained.

"Alright, thanks for letting me know, John."

"You're welcome. Have a good day."

"You too and enjoy College!" she added before hanging up.

"Good morning!" Mom greeted me early on the first day. I groaned.

"Why so early Mom?"

"We are taking you to school today!" Dad said.

"Come on," Mom cajoled, "Up and at 'em, Johnny." Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. After a big breakfast Matt and I sat in the middle of the van as my Dad proudly drove us to the University of Tulsa for my first day.

"Don't get used to this," he warned.

"I took off time to do this for the first day. Matt will drive you the rest of the time."

"I understand, Dad. I'm glad you guys are as excited as I am." The drive to the University of Tulsa campus was quiet and under fifteen minutes. Dad was gripping the wheel like a proud chauffeur, guiding the van past stately brick buildings and manicured lawns. Dad parked the van near a large fountain at the center of the campus, close to the main academic quad. I started walking to my first class. I had been here dozens of times since that first tour with Dr Thompson and knew exactly where to go.

"Johnny!" Mom shouted.

"Wait!" I paused and turned around as Dad locked the van.

"We're coming with you," Mom said.

"Really? All day, or just to my first class?"

"All day!" Dad said.

"Ray, don't tease him," she said.

"Just to your first class." I looked around at what all the other students were wearing and then down at the suit and tie Mom had made me wear for my first day. My ears burned at the embarrassment. I squared my shoulders waiting for them to catch up.

"Alright, now you can go," Mom said, taking my hand. Dad took one side, Mom the other. Matt stood behind, easily looking over all our heads. The sidewalks were crowded with students. August orientation was over, and the first day was buzzing with nervous energy. The sight of an eight-year-old freshman was always going to draw stares, but walking with my immense bodyguard amplified the reaction tenfold. A few students stopped talking mid-sentence.

The look on most faces was a mix of confusion and curiosity: "Who is the little kid?" quickly followed by "Who is the giant?" As we approached Keplinger Hall, a professor paused, mid-stride, to watch Matt. I saw the professor glance from my face, down to my small suit and tie, then up to Matt, who met the gaze with the unyielding, blank stare of a professional. I knew the scene was jarring. Dad, beaming with pride, seemed completely oblivious to the attention. Mom, ever protective, just held my hand tighter.

We entered the cool, marble lobby of the building. The air smelled of old books and floor wax. Mom and Dad hugged me one last time, their excitement palpable.

"Have a great first class, John," Mom whispered after a kiss on the cheek. Matt and I continued on, navigating the crowded hallway to find the lecture room for my Linear Algebra class. Students quickly parted to give Matt a wide berth. The contrast was a shield, and I appreciated the professional space Matt created as we walked past the murmuring crowds and headed to the start of my College career. After my second class I was done for the day. I stepped out into the sunshine, blinking rapidly as my eyes adjusted.

"Well, Matt?" I asked.

"What do you think of the first day?"

"I think I wish I brought a book. One of those trashy romance novels you mock me for reading."

"So how do we get home?" I wondered aloud. Matt pointed past my head, and I turned to find the van parked and Dad waving frantically. I walked over to find everyone there. Grandpa was in the front passenger seat with a huge smile. Matt opened the sliding door so I could climb in. I found Mom, Grandma and Mattie squeezed into the rearmost seat.

"Come on, get in," Dad instructed, getting in himself. I clambered across the bench seat. The van wobbled as Matt climbed in after me and pulled the slider shut.

"Why is everybody here?" I asked.

"Get in," Dad said, "We are going to the steak house to celebrate the first Cook man to go to College!" We took up a large, padded booth at the steakhouse that fit all of us. It was noisy, brightly lit, and smelled intensely of hickory smoke and beef.

"I'm starving," Matt announced, grabbing a menu.

"I'm getting the all you can eat ribs." Dad slapped the table.

"You know what, Matt? I'm going to join you. First day of College deserves a feast!"

"Those things are messy, Ray," Mom warned. She and Grandma peered at the lighter side of the menu.

"I think I'll try the mesquite grilled chicken," Mom said.

"That sounds nice," Grandma agreed.

"I'll get the herb roasted chicken. We can share half with each other." Grandpa, ever the traditionalist, didn't even open his menu.

"Prime rib. The sixteen-ounce cut."

"I want waffles!" Mattie declared, her voice ringing out.

"This is a steakhouse, sweetie, not a breakfast joint," Mom gently countered.

"How about the chicken nuggets instead?" Mattie reluctantly agreed after a moment of deep thought. When the waitress came, she paused briefly, looking at the oddly assembled group but took the orders professionally. The food was good, though we all quietly agreed that the Fountainhead hotel restaurant had better quality. Still, it was an excellent way to celebrate as a family. I looked around the room. The other patrons couldn't help but stare.

The sight of our very white family—the proud, loud grandparents, the excited parents, the suit-wearing child and the blond second grader—wasn't the unusual part. What caught every eye was Matt. He was a mountain of a man, dressed in a simple button down shirt, and he was sitting right between Mattie and me, the shortest people at the table, holding court over his massive plate of ribs. I thought it was hilarious.

Matt just kept dipping his ribs in sauce, completely unbothered, acting as if sitting surrounded by a white family in a Tulsa steakhouse was the most normal thing in the world. For him and my family, it was.