Forever Remember: The Rose Code

Chapter 18: The Confrontation

At the Milltown Library, Melaney, Emily, and I searched for books for our research projects. Melaney decided to do hers on George Washington. I found five about Abraham Lincoln. We checked out our books and went upstairs to a small, private room where I explained Tyler's proposition. They helped me create several scenarios to convince The Rents to allow me to work with Tyler's father.

On the walk home, I rehearsed answers for every possible parental rebuttal. I was ready.

I entered the house through the kitchen door. Mother and Hannah sat at the table coloring with crayons. Mother had drawn a princess and a frog by a pond. Hannah colored the princess' dress pink, while Mother put brown dots on a green frog.

"Mother, can we talk privately in my room?" I asked.

She looked surprised by my request. Mother and I had never had a heart-to-heart conversation because I was always a Daddy's girl, and after he died, I didn't feel like speaking to her.

"Hannah, please finish coloring our picture. I'll be back in a few minutes to see how well you stayed in the lines," Mother told her. She followed me to my room.

All my life, I had refused to stay in the lines, which made me a huge disappointment to my mother. I put my book bag on my chair and sat on my bed.

Mother sat down beside me. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Remember I told you about my project for History and English? I have to write about a famous person."

"Yes." Mother nodded her head and waited for me to continue.

"Well . . . I decided to do mine on Abraham Lincoln. There's this guy in my class whose father is a History professor at Bucknell. He's an expert on the Civil War and is available to help me with my research on Thursdays at four o'clock."

"Who is this guy in your class, and how well do you know him?" Mother asked with suspicion in her pale blue eyes.

"Tyler Price. He sits diagonally from me in History class . . ." I paused, debating if I should lie. "He's on the track team and is President of the FBLA. I work with him at the school store on Friday mornings. He's an acquaintance. That's all."

Mother knew that wasn't all. She knew how I really felt about Tyler's family, particularly his mother. She searched my face, probably for clues about my intentions. I kept my expression blank.

"Before I can give you permission to work with Professor Price, I'll need to speak with him. Do you have his phone number?" she asked.

"Yes, but his name is actually Dr. Spencer." I walked to my book bag, removed his card from the front pocket, and handed it to her. Tyler had thought of everything.

"His wife didn't take his last name," I explained, unable to hide my palpable disapproval of the woman. 

"I'll call Dr. Spencer and then speak to Jonathan about this. We'll let you know our decision tomorrow." I could tell by the determined gleam in her eyes that she would convince Jonathan to allow me to work with Tyler's father.

"Thank you for your consideration," I said formally, sounding like the last sentence of a cover letter. 

Mother nodded and left my room.

I shut the door behind her, belly-flopped on my bed,  and screamed into my fluffiest pillow, "Arriba! Arriba! Andale! Andale!" Maybe, miracles did happen, and I'd be able to see Tyler Price at his mansion on Thursdays.

I didn't know why my mother caved in so easily, but I'd worry about that later.

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