Page 17 of Mr. B

“We agreed to…keep each other informed and meet the person spending time with our daughter.”

“Maybe it’s really new.”

She shook her head. “It’s not. He’s been cagey for months, and I knew Bailey was keeping something from me. He obviously told her…” She cut herself off and took a breath. “I still don’t see why she came to you about this.”

“I called her in.”

“Right. You said that.”

“She wants to go to school in San Francisco.”

“I know.”

“Why don’t you want her to do that?”

“Weston?”

“You want your daughter to be happy, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then why not let her go to the school of her dreams? Surely you and Nick can afford to send her.”

“It’s not the money. It’s the…” She tapped the desk with her nails. “I can’t believe I’m having this discussion with you.”

“Just pretend I’m the principal coming to you with a concern about one of our seniors.”

“The competition at the conservatory is fierce. Bailey has always been the best piano player. The best singer. She hasn’t had to fight for a place. She hasn’t had to prove herself.”

“Maybe it’s time for her to realize that there will always be someone better than her. Someone with more drive. Someone who wants it more than she does.”

“She’s my baby, Wes.”

“I know, and I’m not a parent. I don’t know what that feels like. But you can’t protect her from the real world forever.”

“I just want her to go to Boise for two years and get a taste of the real world.”

“I get that. She asked me to talk to you. Ultimately, of course, it’s up to you and Nick. I just thought you should know what’s on your daughter’s mind.”

She nodded. “She’s really talented.”

“I know. I’ve heard her play.”

“I’ll talk to Nick.”

Wes stood. “Don’t be too hard on him about the new girlfriend.”

“Since when do you care about Nick’s feelings?”

He smiled. “You’re right. I don’t. Give him hell.”

“I plan to.”

He glanced at the poster. “You know, I lied to you about the poster.”

“What? What did you lie about?”

“Billy Simms refused to sign. He figured his autograph would be worth a lot of money someday.”