19
PUMPKIN’S PHONE RANG. THE NAME on the caller ID gave her butterflies.
"I'm coming to sweep you off your feet."
"Manny!" she laughed. It was a joyous sound. She almost didn't believe the girlish sound came from her. "I have to pick up Seth in twenty minutes." She sat at her desk, filing away poorly written term papers in the English Department's offices.
"All taken care of," Manny said.
"What?"
"Gale is on her way to pick him up. You just have to call his school and tell them it’s okay that he leaves with her."
Pumpkin was speechless.
"Are you biting your lip?" His voice was the low register of a lion's once more.
The sharp sting on her lower lip told her she was doing as he predicted. Her first instinct had been to say that she didn't want to inconvenience him or Gale. That she
