“I’ve seen you,” said Ernie. He stared at Suzie. His eyes, dark buttons.
“In that chemistry class, right?” Suzie turned and tilted her neck toward him.
“No. In Woodstock.”
Suzie looked away.
“You girls want to go for a walk?” asked Michael.
“Sure,” said Suzie, moving beside him.
We headed around Brandon Hall and dipped under the canopy of branches that led to the trails. Michael cut across Suzie to walk beside me. My body tingled as I breathed in the leafy autumn smells. They mixed with the clean, soapy scent of Michael.
Suzie and Ernie continued to walk behind us. They were already a world away.
After classes the next day I arrived back at residence. One of the ladies behind the front desk called me over.
“Caitlin, there’s a message for you.”
Dad? No, Dad would phone. He wou
