Page 215 of Notes of Attraction

I actually fucking passed.

I open my messages before I’ve decided who to tell. Two months ago the answer would’ve been the boys. I resist telling the person I really want to. My thumb goes to Mom.

Cal

I passed A&P. Tell Mabel if you’re with her

Her reply is instant. That is unheard of.

Mom

Oh, Callum. Well done. We’re both so pleased

And it’s sweet. Which is also unheard of.

A few hours later I receive the third unheard-of thing of the day.

Dad

Your mother told me you passed. And that you’re going back to LA? Not finishing your degree?

I look at the last question mark for a long time. I consider typing out a long ass paragraph. Rehashing every argument we’ve had since I was twelve.

I don’t.

Cal

Yeah.

The dots appear. Disappear. Appear.

Dad

Good luck.

I wish I could tell Bea. About all of it.

But she still hasn’t reached out. She asked for space, and I’m giving it to her, and at some point I’m going to have to admit that space is just a nicer word for gone.

I close the laptop and go find my running shoes.

Chapter Forty-Six

Cal

Afew days later, after contacting the lawyers and sending them my first-year results, I get an email about the Trust.

FOX FAMILY TRUST — ACADEMIC CONDITION CONFIRMED

I open it.

The first distribution has been authorized. The funds are available immediately.

For months, everything has depended on this. The boys’ money. The promise I made. Proof that I could come here, finish what I started, and put right at least one of the things I broke.

I log into the account.

The balance is there.