AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Near the exit doors, I see the man who’d been talking to West’s mom by the coffin. I start to pass him, and he says, “You’re Caroline, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
He extends a hand. “Evan Tomlinson. May I speak with you for a moment?”
Tomlinson. Dr. Tomlinson. West calls him Dr. T.
This is the man who paid for West to go to Putnam. “Of course.”
From the viewing room where West’s dad is, I hear a door slam. Someone going outside? They’d have to use the big set of double doors by the coffin. The door scrapes open and slams shut again.
“I was surprised to find you here,” Dr. Tomlinson says. “I understood West had cut all his ties to Putnam.”
“He’s tried.”
He sinks his hands into his trouser pockets. His eyes flick across my face, seeking. I guess he finds whatever he’s after, because he says, “I’m going to cut right to the chase. West Leavitt making wood chips is a waste of a life. It’s a waste of intelligence, and we don’t have so much intelligence to spare in this world that I like seeing it thrown away. I’ve been trying to get him back to Putnam, and I’m hoping yo
u can help.”
Yes.
Yes, I can help.
Yes, yes, yes.
“What did you have in mind?”
“As an alumnus and a major donor, I’ve been offered the opportunity to recommend a student to the college for a legacy scholarship. It’s an attractive deal—tuition and board are covered, and all West would have to demonstrate is an ability to benefit.”
So far, so good. I can’t think of anyone with greater ability to benefit from a Putnam education than West.
“If you control a legacy scholarship, why didn’t you recommend West for that before?” I ask. “Instead of paying his tuition and everything yourself?”
“This is a new thing I’ve been developing with the financial aid office since I sent West to Putnam. I think it was my sponsoring him as a student there that got their attention.”
“I see. And have you mentioned this to West?”
“I have. He turned me down. He wouldn’t say why.”
“When did you ask him?”
“Just the other week. Before his father …” He loops his hand in the air, encompassing everything surrounding us.
… got shot.
… ended up here.
“Did you mention his sister when you made this offer?”
“No.”
“He won’t leave her behind.”
“He’s too young to be responsible for that girl.”
I shake my head, unwilling to agree or disagree. Sure, West is too young, but what does that mean anyway? He’s the age he is. He’s the person he is. He’s been responsible for his sister a long time, and he’s going to take care of her regardless of what Dr. T or I think. Regardless of what anyone thinks.
“Dr. Tomlinson—”
