Evan drops his pH gear and runs over. He’s crouching down and yelling out, but Professor Cox doesn’t respond.
Finally, Professor Cox catches the dog, climbs out without saying a word to either Virgo or Evan. He throws on his robe and treks past us and back upstairs, that poor creature dripping and shivering under his arm.
After they calm the old ladies and clear out the pool for final closing, Evan and Virgo come back to the office.
“Nice going, Viviana.” Evan gives me a very serious look. “First day on the job and you’re already letting wild animals into the water.”
My heart drops. “Oh God, I’m so sorry. Am I in trouble?” I don’t want to be fired on my very first day. My mom would kill me.
“No.” Virgo laughs. “You’re not in trouble.”
Evan’s face changes to a smile. “Come on. I was just kidding.”
I feel bad, though. I like making trouble, but I don’t like being in trouble. “Okay, but really, I’m sorry. I promise I’ll pay better attention next time.”
Virgo laughs. “You’ve got to stop apologizing so much.”
And then Evan puts his hand on my shoulder, and every muscle in my body melts. “Come on, it’s funny.”
I force out a laugh. “Yeah,” I say. “Real funny.”
He’s right. It’s nothing. It’s a dog. It’s silliness and stupidity.
But then I catch Sammie’s sad stare. She’s focusing on Evan’s hand on me. She’s not laughing. She’s not having a good time.
I quickly shrug off his shoulder. “Yeah. Okay. You’re right. I’m fine. It’s nothing.”
It may just be silliness and stupidity to him, but if I’m not careful, it could turn into another fine mess.
*
During dinner, I tell Mila and my mom the story of Professor Cox and his dog, which makes Mila giggle with that deep belly laugh I love.
My mom doesn’t laugh. She just shakes her head. “I know who you’re talking about,” she says. “Harold. I know him.”
“You know him?” Mila and I yell in unison.
“Not personally. He and I have only exchanged a few words. Sammie’s mom knows him better. I’ve seen them talking to each other.”
“About what?”
“I couldn’t say. I have no idea.” But the way she says it makes me think she does, and whatever it is about, she doesn’t approve.
Mila takes a guess. “Maybe they’re secretly in love with each other and are going to get married!”
“Doubtful.” I laugh.
I grab my phone from the kitchen counter and text Sammie. Your mom knows Professor Cox. Ask him about his—
But before I can finish my text, my mom snaps at me. “What is that thing doing at the dinner table?”
She’s talking about my phone. Ever since the Dean incident, she’s become the enemy of all devices, particularly if I’m near any. After some deep negotiations, we finally agreed that I could keep my computer for schoolwork and that I could have a cheap twenty-dollar replacement phone that takes only calls and texts—no apps, no online photos. My mom adds minutes each month and checks my usage, but at least she didn’t completely cut off my lifeline to the world.
I don’t answer her. I just slide my phone back on the counter and take a bite of my chicken.
Mila slides down into her chair. “Can we please have one night when we don’t argue?” She looks like she’s going to cry.
I reach over for her hand and look at my mom. My mom keeps her eyes down at her plate, ignores Mila’s question.
I smile at my sister. “Yes. No problem. One night with no arguments. We can totally do that.”
My mom still doesn’t say anything.
I squeeze Mila’s hand and take a sip of water.
We continue eating in silence. No more stories, no more belly laughs. Mila’s question hangs in the air. We’re not arguing, but we’re not talking, either.
College Essay Tip
Be yourself in your essay. It’s important to be both honest and specific so that the readers can “hear” your voice. The essay is an opportunity for you to humanize your otherwise-sterile application. Telling your unique story allows you to stand out!
Viviana Rabinovich-Lowe
Common Application
Very Rough Draft #1
Prompt: Write about someone who has had an impact on you.
They say to pour everything into a rough draft and then edit for what’s essential later. So here it is: I choose my very best friend, Samantha Lailani Gabriela Salazar, aka Sammie, as the single most important human being on this earth.
Why Sammie? First, she knows almost everything about me. We’ve been friends since before kindergarten, partly since we live so close to each other and our moms were friends first. You might say proximity forced us together, but we’ve never resented it.