Then again, maybe I’d misinterpreted the whole passage. I was no English scholar. The real question was why my aunt had underlined it. It obviously had meant something to her, but what? Was my aunt lonely? She didn’t seem lonely and she spent a lot of time with Gwen, but then again, what did I really know about her? It wasn’t as though we’d had any deeply personal conversations since I’d been here.
I was still thinking about it when I heard an engine and the sound of tires crunching gravel out front. After that, the thumping of a car door. Rising from my seat, I opened the slider and listened, waiting. Sure enough, I eventually heard someone knocking. I had no idea who it could possibly be. It was the first time I’d heard a knock at the door since I’d been there. Maybe I should have been nervous, but Ocracoke wasn’t exactly a hotbed of criminal activity, and I doubted a criminal would knock in the first place. Without a care, I went to the front door and swung it open only to see Bryce standing before me, which pretty much made my brain freeze in confusion. I knew I’d agreed to let him tutor me, but somehow I’d thought I had a few days before we’d begin.
“Hi, Maggie,” he said. “Your aunt said I should come by so we can get started.”
“Huh?”
“Tutoring,” he said.
“Uh…”
“She mentioned that you might need some help preparing for your tests. And maybe catching up on your homework.”
I hadn’t showered, hadn’t brushed my hair, hadn’t put on makeup. In my pajamas and slippers and jacket, I probably looked homeless. “I just got out of bed,” I finally blurted out.
He tilted his head. “You sleep in your jacket?”
“It was cold last night.” When he continued to stare, I went on. “I get cold easy.”
“Oh,” he said. “My mom does, too. But…are you ready? Your aunt said to be here at nine.”
“Nine?”
“I talked to her this morning after I finished working out. She said she’d come back to the house and leave you a note.”
I guess I had heard someone in the kitchen earlier. Oops. “Oh,” I said, trying to buy time. There wasn’t a chance I’d let him come in with the way I was looking now. “I thought the note said ten.”
“Do you want me to come back at ten?”
“That might be better,” I agreed, trying not to breathe on him. For his part, he looked…well, a lot like he had the day before. Hair slightly windblown, dimples flashing. He was wearing jeans and that cool olive jacket again.
“No problem,” he said. “Until then, can you get me the stuff that your aunt Linda set out? She said it might help me get a handle on things.”
“What stuff?”
“She told me it was on the kitchen table.”
Oh yeah, I suddenly thought. That thoughtful stack on the table, for the morning kick-start.
“Hold on,” I said. “Let me check.”
I left him waiting on the porch and retreated to the kitchen. Sure enough, on top of the stack was a note from my aunt.
Good morning, Maggie,
I just spoke to Bryce and he’ll be coming by at nine to get started with you. I also photocopied the list of assignments and homework, as well as quiz and test dates. I’m hopeful he’ll be able to explain the subjects that I can’t. Have a wonderful day and I’ll see you this afternoon. Love you.
Blessings,
Aunt Linda
I reminded myself to keep my eye out for notes in the future. I was about to grab the stack when I remembered the paper I’d written. I went to the bedroom and retrieved it before scooping everything else into my arms and carrying it all to the front door, where I quickly realized my mistake.
“Bryce? Are you still here?”
“Yeah, I’m here.”
“Can you open the door? My hands are full.”
When the door swung open, I handed him the stack. “I think this is what she set out for you. I also wrote a paper last night, so I put that on top.”
If he was surprised by the size of the pile, he didn’t show it. “Great,” he said, reaching for it. He took the stack, bobbling it slightly before rebalancing. “Do you mind if I figure this out here on the porch? Instead of going home and coming back?”
“Not at all,” I said. I really, really wished I’d brushed my teeth. “I need a little time to get ready, okay?”
“Sounds good,” he said. “I’ll see you whenever. Take your time.”