Chapter 14

“No one has ever known you to touch drugs. You drink sparingly on occasion, preferring to serve as the designated driver for your friends. You had several girlfriends in high school and one fairly serious relationship in your freshman year at college. You dumped her when you found out she cheated on you.

“You worked like a madman last summer to earn more money for school. You do some odd jobs around school, but you haven’t been seen much outside your dorm, the classrooms, and the library. You are carrying a perfect grade-point average and are taking extra credits. You are taking a dual-major in electronics engineering and business management.

“Your only social life this semester involved some light social encounters with my daughter, who shut you down like the spoiled brat she can be (sorry, honey, but you know it’s true) when she found out you weren’t a rich kid like she is.”

“Do I have that about correct, Seth?” Mr. Hawthorne asked.

I sat there dumbfounded. “Yes sir, that’s about it. How did you learn all that since five o’clock this morning?”

Mr. Hawthorne gave me a sly smile.

“It helps to know people who know people. You’re a very interesting young man, Seth. You work hard for everything you get. You probably will go far. You also don’t hold grudges. You didn’t have to try to rescue our daughter, after she had, frankly, been such a bitch to you, but you did. I admire you. I’ve also spoken to your father on the phone. Your parents were worried sick about you, knowing how bad the blizzard was that you were driving through.

“When Lawrence called them this morning, they were relieved to know that you were safe, but Lawrence felt they had a lot of questions that he did not feel at liberty to answer. I called your house just before I came in here to lunch. I didn’t tell them much other than that Tara wrecked her car and that you managed to plow your way through the blizzard to bring her home to us.

“I’m sure they assume that you brought her here in your truck. I also told them that you were our guest here, and asked them to let you stay with us for a few days. I invited them to come here for Christmas, as a show of our gratitude for them having a son as wonderful as you. They said they would like to talk to you about it, and I promised that you would call them. Would you like to call them now, or do you want to think about all this for a while?”

“Daddy,” Tara said, “I’d like to talk to Seth alone before he calls them. Would that be OK, Seth?”

“Sure, Tara. Do you mind if we excuse ourselves, sir? Ma’am?”

“Perfectly fine with us, son,” Mr. Hawthorne said. “Take all the time you need. I have some follow-up I need to do on our ‘situation,’ anyway, and I should also do some firm-related work. Honey,” he said, turning to Tara’s mother, is that OK with you?”