Page 87 of A Cup of Autumn
Keaton explained what Dr. Gomez had said. “She followed up with an email, so everything is in writing.”
“It sounds like everything you’ve ever wanted. Why haven’t you accepted the job already?” Dad asked.
Flynn yawned. “This sounds like a dream position.”
“It’s a better university than the one in L.A., but it’s in Boston.” Mom rubbed the back of her neck. “That’s the other side of the country.”
“Lots of direct flights from Boston to Los Angeles, Mom,” Garrett said.
“Lots of plusses to the position,” Keaton admitted. “Even though it’s temporary, it’ll stop me from having a large gap on my CV.”
Dad nodded. “That university will look impressive.”
Keaton couldn’t deny that. “It might give me a leg up on the other job too.”
Callie frowned. “I thought you like being in Silver Falls.”
“I do.” Keaton did. “But this is Boston and a tier-one university.”
“That’s been your dream for a long time,” Garrett said. “But what about Raine?”
Raine was the reason Keaton hadn’t said yes immediately. He still felt torn over telling her he might be leaving.
“She doesn’t know about the job yet. I want to wait until after the Boo Bash. I won’t deny I wish the university was closer, but we both knew I wouldn’t be in Silver Falls forever. But I’ll be back in December, and planes fly to Washington state too.”
Callie sighed, the same way she did when she was a kid. “I hoped you were here to stay.”
“Same, baby sis.” Garrett gave her a sympathetic smile. “But Keaton has always dreamed of a position like this.”
She bit her lip. “You could have so much more than a job if you didn’t leave.”
Keaton didn’t know what to say.
“Your brother’s not you, sweetheart,” Mom said.
“What would Keaton do in Silver Falls if he stayed?” Dad asked.
Callie straightened. “Summit Ridge University is in the next town.”
Dad laughed. “That’s a state school.”
His father’s snobby tone bristled. Was that how Keaton sounded when he spoke about public universities? If so, Raine had every right to call him on it.
“Yes, Dad.” Callie huffed. “Summit Ridge is a state school. But their students deserve good professors too. And some state universities have better reputations than private ones.”
“No one’s saying state colleges aren’t any good, Callie.” Mom used her don’t-upset-the-patient tone. “But there are more prestigious universities out there.”
“There’s no reason for Keaton to lower his standards when he has a position at an elite university with kids who want to be there to learn,” Dad said.
Flynn and Mom nodded.
Garrett shook his head. “Sam and Timmy attend Summit Ridge, and they want to be in college.”
“Prestige isn’t everything,” Callie said.
“It matters in academia,” Dad countered.
Keaton agreed with him. “I know you want me to stay, Callie, but there are more universities in Boston. That gives me more opportunities for a permanent position. And it’s what I’ve always wanted.”
