Page 98 of Fundamentals of Chemistry

“Just bring her back in one piece.”

“I’ll take good care of her,” I promised, standing up. With a plan and a sense of purpose, I felt steadier on my feet.

Alan stuffed his hands into his pockets as he regarded me. “What are you going to do?”

“Something I should have done a long time ago.”

***

The drive to Hartford felt impossibly quick as Alan’s S-Class tore up I-84. All the while, I played out scenarios in my mind, picturing all the ways this conversation could go. None of them were pleasant.

I had been naive when I sat down to that disaster dinner last August, thinking I could do what I wanted and still please my father. I didn’t plan on making that mistake again. This time, I would say exactly what I needed to say and leave no room for confusion. All interference in my life would stop today.

My chest felt tight as I pulled to a stop in front of the main door and put the car in park. I took a long breath in, filling each of my alveoli to capacity, and blew it all out in a gust. This confrontation was long overdue.

I marched up the front steps and rang the bell, glaring directly into the camera so that my father would know I was finally coming to call.

I steeled myself when the door opened, and my dad stood before me in a stiff suit, blond hair perfectly styled back from his face, still tanned from hours golfing over the summer.

“Melanie. What brings you here today?”

“Cut the shit, Dad,” I said, pushing past him into the foyer. While I didn’t particularly want to go inside, it was damn cold on the portico. I clenched my hands into fists and turned to face him. “You know exactly why I’m here.”

“On the contrary,” he said, crossing his arms and lifting his chin. “Please enlighten me.”

I faced him, hands fisted on my hips, trying my damnedest to look down my nose in spite of the fact that he was half a head taller than me.

“Newbury,” I snapped. “A donation. A certain open faculty position. Any of this ringing a bell?”

“I often donate to Newbury,” he replied. “The Burke family have been patrons for generations—”

“Do you often influence the hiring too?” I demanded.

His jaw tightened, just for a second. I couldn’t be sure if it was the question or the interruption that annoyed him more.

“Certainly not. Faculty appointments are a function of the board—”

“Bullshit,” I spat. “You knew exactly what you were doing. How much did it cost?”

“I’m sure I don’t know—”

“How much did it cost?”

“I don’t know—”

“How much did you pay to get Richmond to choose me over a highly talented, qualified, and experienced teacher?” My whole body felt flushed and raw, and I could barely hear anything beyond the pounding of my heart.

His voice hardened, and he stepped forward so he could look down at me like a misbehaving child. “Melanie. That is a very serious—”

“Just be honest with me for once in your fucking life!”

“That’s enough!” he barked, cutting off my outburst. All traces of softness and concern melted from my father’s face, leaving him cold and severe. This was the face of Matthew Burke, CEO. Matthew Burke, Father, was gone, if he had ever really been there.

“I have been more than tolerant as you evaded your lineage. Paying your expenses. Permitting your nonsense. I would not suffer the shame of your failure. So, yes, I facilitated a position befitting your legacy. Walter was hesitant to dismiss his original candidate, but I understand that you have met expectations, and he’s happy to keep you.”

The beige walls were closing in on me. My head spun as I processed his admission and tried to formulate a response. It was so much worse than I thought. Jack had been right all along. I didn’t belong at Newbury and never did.

“This is absolutely insane,” I said. “Jack already had the job and you forced Richmond to hire me? You can’t do that!”