Shay’s Tahoe was waiting outside when Devon wrapped up everything in the office complex. The driver was Logan Hastings, Caleb and Chloe’s brother. Devon climbed into the back with Shay.
“Evening, Devon,” Logan said.
“Hey hey…”
“Where too?”
Devon told him the address and they set off. It was only a short drive away.
“How was the office?” Devon said to Shay.
“Really good. I was setting up a new project for January. Sorry about being so awkward on the phone. I don’t know what’s… never mind.”
Devon smiled. “Really, it’s fine. You’re fine. Really.”
Shay told him about the new project then they reached the pizzeria. Devon invited Logan to join them but he declined saying he didn’t need to be part of the conversation this time.
Once they had placed their order, Shay got right to the point. “My mom is hard headed, and I’m sorry if this upsets you…”
Devon had no guess what was going on.
“So, she sends fashion upgrades because she knows I don’t care much about it all. Sweaters this time. They look like the sweaters from last time. Liza said I could divide them and give most of them to Emma and Hannah… anyway…” Shay took a big breath. “So she called to make sure I liked them, then she said, ‘So, how’s that young man I spoke to Thanksgiving?’”
“She remembered me?”
Shay nodded. “I told her you were doing well and mentioned your plans for New Jersey Institute of Technology. Devon… I’m sorry… she’s so hard headed…”
“What?”
“Mom said, ‘Oh my, why so far away? Columbia is a fine school and so much closer…”
Devon laughed. “As if…”
Shay smiled. “Well… she’s… She said, ‘How about I call the president and tell him Devon will start there next term?”
Devon shook his head. “That’s… not… possible… Deadlines…”
“Devon, she’s hard headed… and… especially when it comes to helping others.”
Devon couldn’t think of anything to say. He shook his head and was about to mention the fact that he had gone to community college and Columbia was Ivy League.
“I said she shouldn’t do that… She said, ‘I most certainly should! If I can’t do a good deed, then what’s the point of anything? No one is hurt by this. They have nearly 10 thousand students. They won’t notice one more. Plus, I can pay the tuition and… much more… So, that young man gets a fine education without having to go to New Jersey, the college gets tuition, no one is harmed, and Columbia ingratiates itself with someone who can help them out. It is a win for everyone.”
Devon shook his head. “This won’t work out…”
Shay shook her head. “She’s hard headed, Devon. She won’t take no. The director of admissions called right before I called you… All they need is your social and email… they’ll send you information about signing up for classes.”
Devon was overwhelmed. “When did all this start?”
“Mom called me yesterday afternoon about the sweaters. She’s…”
Devon forced a smile. “Tenacious.”
Shay laughed. “I guess that’s a nice way to say it.”
Devon looked down. “Shay… Ivy League… I’m a community college type guy…”
Shay smiled. “You made all A’s. I don’t think even you could change her mind, and… I know this sounds pushy, but if you refuse, the president would…”
Devon suddenly understood. “Oh… wow… oh wow… She… just did this without asking me… because…”
“Devon,” Shay said, “she liked you at Thanksgiving. This is just her way with things… She assumes…”
Devon laughed. “Wow… I… I’m gonna need a tutor… Maybe… This… I don’t have words.”
“Well,” Shay replied, “I’ll be happy to help… because… I mean, she’s hard headed and she just… pushes when she thinks it’s for a good cause…”
“So, I’m a good cause?” Devon laughed. “No one’s ever thought of me like that before!”
Shay shook her head. “Someone should have, long before now. I’ll help you however I can…”
They decided to move forward, but they also decided to hold off on telling everyone until it was finalized. Shay said that, given how her mom was, that wouldn’t take long.
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