Page 11 of A Cup of Autumn
Which meant he wasn’t. That was almost as shocking as Keaton losing his job. Flynn was the oldest and a renowned surgeon. The playing God part of medicine appealed to him. The guy was as arrogant as he was generous. An odd mix. But Keaton appreciated having Flynn on his side.
“Things at the hospital will slow down soon, and Flynn won’t be as tired.” Mom, chief of staff where Flynn worked, wrung her hands—something she did when worried. But it wasn’t her oldest she was concerned about. Mom barely glanced at Flynn. Her attention had been on Keaton.
He gulped.
For the first time, he was the reason for the hand wringing. The figurative knife in his heart twisted. All he wanted to do was make his family proud and not disappoint them. He’d never imagined he would be the one who failed.
“You’re the focus now,” Mom added as if he hadn’t figured that out himself.
“Welcome to the hot seat, Keaton.” Callie had flown in with Garrett as soon as they found out about Keaton losing his job. “Must admit I’m glad it’s not me sitting there.”
“Or me.” Garrett shot Keaton a sympathetic look. “There’s a first time for everyone.”
It shouldn’t be Keaton’s. “I was hoping to avoid it.”
Dad sat on a wingback chair with his elbows on his thighs and leaning forward slightly. Even with his loosened tie and the rolled-up sleeves of his dress shirt, he would be a formidable opponent in court. “This isn’t the end of the world, Son.”
“I want to believe that.”
Bitterness coated Keaton’s mouth like a double dose of cough syrup. He’d had a few days to come to terms with losing his job and his shot at tenure, but he was still reeling. His emotions swung from disbelief to frustration to anger. Everything he’d defined himself as had been stripped away. And one question kept him awake at night.
Who was he without teaching at a prestigious university?
He’d defined himself by his job. He hadn’t only lost his income. He’d also lost his identity.
And his purpose in life.
Keaton took a breath and another. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?”
Dad sat back. “I’ve consulted with top employment attorneys who specialize in education. The university is within its right to cut your department and cancel your contract.”
Keaton shot a glance at Garrett. “Did you find out anything?”
“Sorry, Keaton.” After Garrett’s plane landed on Friday night, no one saw him until today. He’d been working nonstop to find a way to help Keaton. “Dad’s right. There’s no recourse to what the university did, but you’ve got excellent experience, and you’re getting solid recommendations.”
“Finding a tenure-track position will be difficult.” The words flew out of Keaton’s mouth as if he were tossing a spear like the Vikings of eons past did. He took a breath. “I thought I was different. That I would beat the odds when I submitted the dossier. I was so sure and now…
“Keaton was born to be a professor,” Mom said.
“Thanks, Mom.” She worked more hours than Dad and pushed for each of her children to live up to their potential. That drive had annoyed Callie, but Keaton appreciated Mom’s support.
“You’ll find your place.” Callie smiled at him, a bright torch in his pitch-black week. She might be the baby of the family, but she was the glue that held them together. “And in the meantime, I have an idea.”
“What is it, sweetheart?” Dad asked in the softer tone he reserved for Mom and Callie.
Callie’s face brightened like a ray of sunshine had somehow found its way through the ceiling. She scooted forward in her chair as if to get closer to Keaton. “Come to Silver Falls. You can stay with me and Brandt, or Garrett and Taryn, or Margot if you don’t want to be around newlyweds.”
Callie and Brandt had had a big wedding. Garrett and Taryn had eloped in Lake Tahoe, much to the dismay of both sets of parents, who kept asking if they’d have a reception. Both couples were lovey-dovey all the time.
His sister and brother’s happiness thrilled Keaton, but a guy could only take so many heart-eyes and so much couple togetherness. “Do you think Margot would mind if I stayed with her?”
“Not at all.” Callie didn’t hesitate to answer. “She’s the one who suggested you come to Silver Falls. She won’t charge you rent.”
“That’s generous of Margot,” Mom said.
“She enjoys having house guests.” Keaton had stayed at Margot’s the week before the wedding. Then, he’d moved to Callie’s house when they left on their honeymoon. Margot had invited him over to dinner each Sunday, and he’d taken her out to lunch twice a week. He got the better end of that deal.
“Great idea, baby sis.” Garrett rubbed his chin. “Keaton can regroup and apply for jobs.”
