Read Online Hold On Tight by J. Minter - Free Book Online Page B

Sarah Lawrence?” Mickey asked, remembering his earlier poolside conversation with David. “That’s one of the seven sisters, too, huh?”
    â€œWhy, yes,” Professor Breton said, gesturing to the grad student who had been darting in and out of the room to refill her wine. “It’s quite grand, although Ithink you may find our modest
salon
more comfortable.” She waved a hand at their low-lit surroundings. The walls were decorated with many romantic landscape paintings, several of them featuring big, moody clouds, hung in gigantic gold-leaf frames.
    â€œMy colleague is
too
modest,” Professor Soto said icily. She reached over and brushed something off Mickey’s shoulder, letting her fingers linger there. “But Sarah Lawrence has its charms. It was a private mansion originally, you know, so it is more intimate than Vassar.”
    â€œNo kidding,” Mickey said.
    â€œPerhaps you would like to come and see it?” she said.
    â€œThat would be awesome. I mean, I’m leaning toward applying to art school next year, but I want to see as many schools as I can.”
    â€œMickey, you’ve got to stop talking like that. Art school! You’re a
real
artist now,” Professor Breton said, leaning close enough to him that he could smell her heavy perfume. Mickey felt like Fergie had just told him he could really dance.
    â€œI hate to admit this,” Professor Soto chimed in, “but she’s right. You’re a hot ticket. In fact … would you consider giving a lecture at my college?” she said slowly, as though it had just occurred to her. “Our speaker for next Saturday cancelled, and it would be a major coup to have a Pardo at the lectern.”
    Professor Breton choked on her wine. “He doesn’t lecture for free, you know,” she said sharply.
    â€œOh, we’ll take care of him,” Professor Soto said, rubbing Mickey’s shoulder again.
    Mickey could almost
feel
his career taking off. He just hoped that the friendship between the two hot professors didn’t get destroyed in the process. Luckily the grad student who had been pouring their wine reappeared before either of them said anything too mean.
    â€œEveryone’s seated, Professor,” she said. “You want to go on in five?”
    â€œExcellent, darling,” Professor Breton replied, waving the grad student away. “So, Mickey, I’ve prepared a glowing introductory speech …”
    â€œProfessor Breton
always
gives good glow,” Professor Soto said.
    By the time the grad student returned, Mickey was feeling pretty good about his prospects for wowing just about anybody.
    They stood up and walked across the Persian rug toward the door to the lecture hall. Professor Breton, right behind him, rested her hand on Mickey’s shoulder and whispered, “I am going to compare you to Gauguin in your artistic quest for freedom and unique understanding of the human form.”
    â€œReally? Cool,” Mickey said.
    â€œYes,” she said. “What have you prepared?”
    â€œWell, I gave my slides to that grad student person,” he said. “But really, I was thinking more I’d just freestyle it.” Which was clearly a brilliant idea.

i am on the outside of cool, looking in
    Just for the record, I am not a bad person.
    I mean this whole thing with my brother Ted being well-adjusted, much-adored, and possessed of a beautiful girlfriend is great. I really think so. It just took a few hours and a few beers and, okay, a good night of sleep to wrap my mind around the new state of affairs.
    But by Saturday afternoon, I was finding my brother’s lifestyle changes more interesting than personally threatening. So I asked him if he wanted to spend some quality family time, and then we’d catch Mickey’s lecture a little late. This request seemed to impress Ted and make him happy, and as soon as it was out of my mouth I