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“Idon’thave a girlfriend…”
LESSON #3
“Failure isn’t “failure,” it’s a part of success.”
At least that’s what the successful people (who hardly ever fail) say.
Truth is, failure is failure.
Period.
Stop looking for pretty phrases that’ll make you feel better about it.
It just sucks…
1
GENEVIEVE
Monday
There’s a glaring omission in every “Come Learn at Exeter” brochure, a certain landmark that escapes mention year after year.
It’s only made known after someone gains admission.
The Sweet Donated Season Gardens are not really named after some foreign donor whose “experiences shaped every part of his life.” It’s an acronym for Sex. Drugs. Secrets. Gossip.
If you’re bold enough to tiptoe past the red “No Trespassing” sign and risk getting lost in its maze of arborvitae hedges, you can carve out unseen hours for yourself and whoever you want to meet.
It also comes in handy whenever storms slam our coast, because the thick tree canopy will protect you from the rains.
Or, so I’ve heard.
Today’s relentless rains have brought along their frigid wind friends, and the trees above haven’t offered me any relief.
I’m soaked from my hair to my socks, but I’m too deep into the garden to turn around now.
Ignore the rain, Genevieve. Just keep walking and ignore it.
When I make it to Mr. Donovan’s front pathway, I can see him standing at the front door.
His smile shifts to concern as I step onto the porch.
Instead of serving me some friendly sarcasm, he ushers me inside.
“I would’ve picked you up.” He shuts the door. “Stay right here.”
He returns with a stack of towels and a set of flannel pajamas. “Take your time getting dry. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
I wait for him to walk away before peeling out of my clothes. Taking my time, I walk over to the hearth and let the heat kiss my skin before pulling on the pants.
I roll the sleeves of his pajamas to my elbows and tie the pants as tightly as possible. I press the towel against my hair a few more times before strolling into the kitchen.
Hot tea and an array of papers are laid out on my side of the table.
“Don’t take this personally,” he says, “But I can see why Harvard waitlisted you.”
“It’s hard not to take that personally.”
