My father looks at him without understanding.
- How do you know that? You wouldn't happen to be one of those Internet spies, would you?
- No, sir! But I know everything that happens inside my company, although I'm not yet sitting in the board of directors' chair, definitely.
- Are you Charles Cavanaugh's son?
- Yes, sir! Yes, sir!
- I thought your father was running the business.
- It's a long story, but let's say he prefers the backstage of a much bigger, much fuller room.
My father smiles at him in an impressed way. I was also impressed by the precise way he was able to store that data.
- Well, I didn't know the administration and control of the Enterprise was in the hands of someone so young. - says my father with a satisfied smile, reaching out to Ryder. - Congratulations, son! You're doing a great job.
- Thank you, Mr. Evans! I hope to do much more when I graduate. - Ryder returned the squeeze. - Thanks to Brooke, it looks like I'll get my letter of recommendation to Harvard.
- Harvard? - I ask in amazement. - I thought it was for Yale.
- Yeah. - He says, shrugging his shoulders. - If I am, who will take care of you at Harvard?
I'll be blushing again. I couldn't believe Ryder switched schools because of me. I couldn't tell if that was good or bad.
- Well, what really worries me is if the whole thing's been recorded. - says my mother, taking out the weather. - If it ends up in a gossip magazine, it won't be good for our image.
I stood still before my mother's futile and selfish words and Ryder's reaction was no different. Without realizing that she was being completely inconvenient, mean and insensitive, she continues with her ramblings.
- That will also be terrible because of the conference we will have in Boston in honor of the league. We have to travel still tonight and I sincerely hoped that you would come this time.
Seeing the shock in my gaze, Ryder came forward with his voice full of indignation.
- Wait! Won't you guys stay with Brooke?
- Well, the conference is important and we can't miss it. - she says holding my hand. - The doctor said it's nothing serious, although I have to stay under observation.
- Seriously or not, you're her mother. - says Ryder with indignation. - Nothing in my mother's life is more important than me. You should think the same way.
With a frown on her forehead and looking offended, my mother snitched.
- Listen here, you little brat... She starts with that tone I already knew.
My mother used to think that her social life was more important than me. She kept leaving me for the company or the league.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Stop it! - I ask in a calm voice. They both look at me carefully. - Ryder's right! You never cared about me. I'm jealous of the way honey treats Ryder, and if I could, I'd trade you for her.
- Brooke! - says my shocked mother. - What an ugly thing to say to your mother.
- No drama! - I say raise your hand. - You've never been a good mother and you know it. I'm tired of your futilities, selfishness and trying to make me your faithful copy. Only, Mom, I don't need the lady. I never really needed it.
Signaling to Ryder, I ask him to take the bag he had brought, perhaps on Jane's orders or on his own idea. Taking the wallet, I take the credit card she left with me and hand it over to my mother.
- Why is that? - she asks a confusing question.
- I don't want anything that comes, ma'am. - I say staring at my mother and then at my father. - I have a great job that has been supporting me very well; I am the most brilliant student at UNY...
Taking a break, I smile at Ryder.
- Besides having great friends. - I sigh, staring at her again. - I am not part of that world that you have created, and now that I am of age, I have decided to take charge of my life, as I have long desired.
My mother faces me with no action and a glow of admiration appears in my father's eyes. He's been showing pride in me since I challenged him to study at Harvard.
- If that's the way you want it! - my mother says. - I'll let you live your little adventure, but when you come home at the end of the semester, you should reward us by going to the tea of...
- You don't understand, do you, Linda? - says my father, interrupting her. - Brooke won't come home.
- What's that? What's that?
- That's right! - I say yes. - When the semester's over and I'm admitted to Harvard, I'll move there. To an apartment that I can afford with my money.
- But, uh...
- You don't, but, Mom! I've made up my mind, and that's it!
My mother looks at me in horror, so look at my father.
- Do something, John!
- Sure! - he says smiling,
