Chapter 5 - The Road Ahead
I tossed my trash bags and suitcase into the back of my battered, high-mileage Honda Civic—the car I had bought entirely with my own diner tips, parked safely down the block where Dad couldn't tow it.
As I slid into the driver's seat and turned the key, the engine sputtered to life with a familiar, comforting roar. I checked my rearview mirror one last time.
Dad was standing motionless on the front porch, staring blankly down at the driveway, looking smaller and older than I had ever seen him. Mom was still crying inside the open doorway, while Brandon slammed the front door shut with a resounding bang that echoed down the quiet street.
I put the car in drive and pulled away from the curb, leaving the house, the debt, and the golden-boy lies far behind in the dust.
My phone buzzed in the cup holder. I glanced down at the screen. It was an email notification from the Ellison University Office of Financial Aid, subject line marked Urgent: Administrative Review Update.
My pulse spiked. I pulled over to the shoulder of the main road beneath the shade of an old oak tree, my fingers trembling slightly as I unlocked the screen to open the message.
The dean of admissions had bypassed the standard automated system and written directly to me: Dear Ms. Vance, we have received the forensic financial audit regarding your enrollment status. The board of regents has convened an emergency session for 9:00 a.m. to review your independent application file.
I exhaled slowly, my eyes scanning down to the final paragraph.
May you like
Furthermore, a prominent alumnus and benefactor of the law school, who has requested anonymity, has stepped forward to cover your full tuition and housing expenses, effective immediately. He wishes to meet with you in his private office on campus at—
Before I could finish reading the time, a sharp knock on my driver's side window made me jump out of my seat.
