“Well, you gave me that little push of encouragement, and so I applied to a master’s program in creative writing. And I just found out that I’ve been accepted. But here’s the best part, it comes withfullfunding.”
“Harper, that’s amazing!” Dot said, grabbing her friend’s hand. “Where is it?”
Harper smiled. “Well, you might be surprised. It’s not here in New York. It’s in Iowa. My great Midwest adventure continues. It’s about a four-hour drive from Cedar Falls.”
“Four and ahalf,” Tommy said. “So it won’t be that hard for me to drive across to see Pippi.” He put an arm around Harper to show her he was joking and reached into the tote bag to pet Pippi, who was snuggled next to Harper’s side. Harper leaned into him, glowing with a newfound self-assurance and contentedness.
“And the idea is that when I complete the workshop, the book should be done. Then I can try to find an agent who would be willing to take me on as one of their authors.”
“Wow. Harper! That’s incredible. I’m so proud of you!” Dot said, getting up to hug her.
“Me too! This has been an incredible year for you.” Mary reached across the table and squeezed Harper’s forearm, amazed at the transformation of Harper in just a year. “Kai, who?” she whispered and winked.
“Exactly! It’s kind of amazing it’s all worked out without any of my worrying or planning.”
“What are you going to do until then?” Dot asked.
“A friend of mine from NYU teaches at a pod some parents put together in Brooklyn. She’s pregnant and due any minute, so I’m going to take over for her for one semester. Then I’ll figure something out for the summer.”
“Why not come spend the summer with me? I’ll dedicate your corner at the bar and give you unlimited Diet Cokes,” Tommy said, and she cocked her head and raised her eyebrows.
“I just might,” she said. They’d already talked about that idea, and it was a real possibility.
“Wait. Did you say, ‘teaching pods’? I thought that was just some weird thing they did in Texas,” Mary said.
“I thought so too, but I’ve learned it’s becoming a lot more common even around here. It’s less expensive than paying several tuitions. Instead, they just pay a couple of teachers very well and get better results. Win-win.”
“Who knew!” Mary said.
“Well, here’s to you, Harper,” Dot said. “You’re like a cat, landing perfectly on your feet.”
The group raised their glasses to cheers.
“Well, we need to get going,” Mary said, looking at Jake. “It’s time for him to get the full Staten Island treatment.”
“Think you can handle it?” Danny asked Jake.
“I’m up for the challenge,” Jake said. “I’m prepared to answer every question and eat everything they put in front of me.”
“Careful what you wish for!” Dot said. “The first time I went to Sunday supper at Mary’s house, I couldn’t move for hours.”
“We’re out of here, too,” Harper said, putting on her coat and wrapping a scarf around her neck. “Next stop, Brooklyn. It’s time for Tommy to meet the Adlers.”
“Wow, Brooklyn,” Mary said. “You’re brave.”
“Don’t worry, Tommy,” Dot said. “You’ll fit in perfectly in the People’s Republic of Park Slope.”
“And Climate Change Denier got Rangers’ tickets for himself, my dad, and Tommy. For once, my dad will be outnumbered politically.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior,” Tommy said. “I need these guys to like me.”
“At least you’ll crush in the hockey trivia,” Jake said.
“How are you getting to Brooklyn?” Dot asked Harper.
“Full New York city experience. All aboard the F train—as in effing slow.”
“Yep, I’m bracing myself,” Tommy said. “Kind of hope it’s like the movies. Give me something to talk about at the Sin Bin.”