The Autumn Prince

59. Fear and Wonder

The sun rose in a clear sky, lacking warmth or promise.

The four of us had slept, or attempted sleep, in the old office as we had after the events beneath Stewart Hall, seeking comfort in each others' presence. I was laying still and wide awake, wishing for the night to drag on, when Kelly called to tell me I could begin my labs again on Monday, provided Katherine would be willing to chaperon. I thanked her automatically, but school was the last thing on my mind. My phone roused the others and after I hung up, Becca excused herself to call her dad, prompting the rest to find a quiet space and reach out to family and friends, leaving me alone in the room.

I hadn't spoken with my foster parents since arriving at college. I always meant to, but I had buried myself deeply in homework and given my free time to Katherine. I was ashamed that it took fear and tragedy to correct that oversight, which made a desperate call even more awkward.

Before dialing their number, I sent a text to Miss Gold and Finn explaining our worry. Neither replied. They were probably more aware of the dangers than we were, and that was the only thing that kept me from wild panic. Both had resources I could only dream of, and if they remained out of touch I had to assume it was because they were working on a solution. Finally, I hit the quick dial for Tracy's cell, heart thudding loudly in my ears.

"Hello?" answered a friendly voice with the hint of a Georgian accent.

I cleared my throat, "Uh, hey Trace."

"Tommy?" There was a rustling on the other end of the line, then she came back. "Tommy, it's good to hear your voice! How you been?"

"Good. Real good. I'm sorry I hav—"

"Mason, get in here, Tommy's on the line!" She hadn't bothered to move the phone away from her mouth and her voice rang in my ears. Then quieter, "Honey, I'm gonna put you on speaker, okay?"

"Sure, that's fine. How—how are you?"

"We're peaches and cream, aren't we Mason?" A deep voice grunted his affirmation from a distance. "Mason got that promotion he was working for, he's a project manager now."

"That's great," I said, feeling out of place in the conversation, but I didn't want to cut the call short. "Everyone else okay?"

"Just fine sweetie, why?"

"No reason," I lied, "I—I'm sorry I haven't called."

"Don't you worry about that, you're calling now and that's what's important. What about you? Are you holding up? Is school as hard as you thought it would be?"

"It keeps me busy."

"Well there you go, you focus on that and don't concern yourself about us. Just call whenever you can."

Her husband's deep voice interrupted, "Nail any sorority babes yet?"

"Mason!"

"What? I'm just asking."

Grateful I'd chosen to make the call in private, I answered candidly, "I met someone actually."

"Big knockers?"

"Mason, I swear!"

"They're not too bad," I replied, laughing in spite of myself.

"My man!" he congratulated me, and I could picture him fist pumping while Tracy scolded him. Mason would never be father-of-the-year material, but he always treated me like one of his construction buddies, and for all of Tracy's attention, she couldn't make me feel like a normal man the way Mason did. What confidence I had in that department I learned from him.