The already uncomfortable feeling that I was experiencing grew as the man inched closer to me. I heard Kim make wide strides to intercede, but Ryan beat her to it, stepping between me and the stranger. I slid into my seat and shut the door while Kim wheeled around, hurrying to start the car.
Ryan paused for a moment, eyeing the man, and then joined Beth in the back seat. I saw Ryan’s arm slide between my shoulder and the door, reaching to press down the lock.
Mr. Dawson leaned down to peer at me through the glass. “I need those papers, Nina. It would be wise of you to help me.” He pul ed out a card and held it against the window with his palm. I scanned it quickly and attempted to smile.
No one spoke until we were almost back to the school parking lot.
“Does anyone else think that was completely creepy?” Beth shrieked.
“Beth! You scared the crap outta me!” Kim said.
“What are you going to do?” Ryan asked.
“I’m going to cal Mr. Rosen tomorrow, and then I’m going to cal my mother,” I said, fidgeting.
Beth nodded with wide eyes. “Your mom is gonna freak.”
“I know,” I grumbled.
Kim waved and set off to Andrews while Beth and I said our goodbyes to Ryan.
Beth patted Ryan’s shoulder. “I’m glad you were there, Ryan. That guy was…I don’t think he would have let Nina in the car had you not been there.”
“Yes, thank you,” I said, hugging him.
Ryan pul ed back to look at me, stil keeping me enveloped in his arms. “I’d do anything for you,” he said, brushing my bangs away from my eyes.
I took a step back and glanced at Beth, whose eyes were bouncing back and forth between Ryan and me. He scratched the back of his head nervously. “Yeah, wel …guess I better head back to the dorm. I’l see you ladies at our next study group.”
“See ya!” Beth chirped.
I smiled and waved to him as he turned to walk away.
Beth grabbed my arm and pul ed me along with her as she walked. “Neeenah! What are you going to do about him? He’s in love with you!”
“He is not,” I said, glowering at her. “He just hasn’t accepted our strictly platonic relationship, yet.”
“And you think he wil ?”
“Yes,” I said, nodding once.
“Or you hope he wil ?”
“He wil .”
“Because you’re in love with Jared?” she grinned.
“I barely know Jared!” I said, irritated. “Beth, you have to hear how ridiculous you sound right now. Ryan loves me, I love Jared. I’ve known them both for about two seconds.”
“You are in denial.”
I rol ed my eyes. “I’m going to see my mother tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?”
“No, I have a meeting.”
I raised one eyebrow. “What kind of meeting?”
“I’m not talking about it, you’l laugh at me.”
“Tel me, Beth. I won’t laugh,” I said, hooking my arm around hers.
She pressed her lips together and then sighed in resignation. “We’re starting a group for students from Oklahoma.”
“How many are there?” My words were involuntarily tinged with disbelief.
“A few!” she said defensively.
I fought a grin. “Are you going to have square dances and fight with the Native American Club?”
“You’re not funny.”
I chuckled and looked away. “That was pretty funny.”
“You know the parking meter was invented in Oklahoma? And the shopping cart…? Invented in Oklahoma, too! The yield sign, the autopilot, voicemail! Al because of Oklahomans. Bil Gates was inspired by an article penned by Ed Roberts, an Oklahoman. We have affordable housing, natural gas, Wil Rogers, and the Sooners!
“The Oklahoma jokes are getting real y old. We’re not a bunch of hil bil ies…you’re friends with me, aren’t you?” she said, breathless.
“Yes, Beth! Yes, we’re friends! You’re right, I’m sorry. I won’t say anything else about Oklahoma.” I could feel my eyes widen in bewilderment. Beth was upset with me.
“And that goes for Kim, too,” she grumbled.
“I can’t speak for Kim, but don’t hold your breath.”
Beth tried not to smile, but giggled, anyway. I smiled apologetical y and we hugged just outside of our dorm room.
“You’re crazy, but I love you, anyway,” I giggled.
“I love you, too. I wouldn’t rather be shacked up with any other Yankee,” she said in a horrible southern drawl.
The next morning Beth decided to rise early and head out with me for coffee. I felt closer to her after our understanding the night before, and she seemed to be in an uncharacteristical y good mood for being up so early.
Classes went by without delay. Before I knew it, I was sitting in my room alone, thinking about Jared and his unexplained appearances in my life. My mind abruptly switched to Mr. Dawson. I picked up my cel phone and dialed Thomas’ office. His secretary answered and informed me that he was out for the day. I hung up, frustrated.
I couldn’t recal a secret safe or any important real estate deal my father was involved in, which wasn’t exactly surprising. I was typical y clueless about my father’s business dealings and had grateful y remained that way. That was before strange men started fol owing me around, though. At least one person thought I had access to that file. I had to know why it was so important.
I burst through the door of my parents’ home and cal ed for Agatha.
“Yes, Nina love! What’s the racket about?” she answered, scurrying around the corner.
“Is Mother home?”
“She’s at Crestwood, planning something ‘er other. You know how busy she keeps these days.”
Of course she would be out. Immediately after Jack’s funeral, my mother immersed herself into every group, every organization, and every charity she could find. She had several meetings a day and, although it was at times frustrating being unable to reach her, I was appreciative of her time wel spent away from my dorm room.
After an hour of thumbing through my mother’s mail and snooping in every closet downstairs, I headed to Jack’s office. It was the most obvious place to look, so I assumed I wouldn’t find anything that would be of help. I took my hand off the knob and had almost convinced myself to look elsewhere, but I wheeled around and shoved myself through the door.
It hadn’t changed.
His mahogany desk and swivel chair sat commandingly in the center of the room. Hundreds of books including tax law, encyclopedias, poetry, the classics and Dr. Seuss lined the back wal .
I crossed his plush, imported rug and planted myself in the desk chair. The last papers he had looked over before his accident lay strewn on one side, and unopened envelopes on the other. I started with those. Opening one after another, I sifted through statements, invitations, requests and letters. Seeing nothing of interest, I pitched them into the wastebasket under the desk.
Just as I was about to put the letter opener back inside the drawer, the inscription caught my eye. My mother had purchased it for me so I could give it to Jack for his birthday. The inscription read simply, “To Daddy Love, Nina”. I ran my finger over the words affectionately and shoved it into my back pocket. My mother wouldn’t miss it.
My eyes flitted to a two-inch stack of papers with sign here stickers poking out in various bright colors. I thumbed through them, but didn’t see anything about properties.