“Yeah, that’s right, but Larry Tate said you were busy handling Anders’ school enrollment today, so you couldn’t make it.”
School enrollment? Come to think of it, it’s about time for Anders to start elementary school.
Following my friend’s gaze, I saw Larry Tate sitting on the sofa not far away, with Katie Baker by his side. It seems that what happened that night had no effect on him at all. The more I looked, the deeper my frown became.
“Let’s not talk about him. Is this Anders? Come, let Auntie hold you!”
Anders’ small figure instantly attracted the attention of most people in the room. Even Larry Tate’s gaze shifted from Katie Baker, a rare occurrence.
“Well, well, Summer Cooper.”
“Larry Tate, didn’t you say your wife wasn’t coming?”
The teasing voices around us grew louder, and Katie Baker, appearing a little uneasy, grabbed the sleeve of Larry Tate’s shirt. In response, he took her hand in his. No one else seemed to notice this small gesture, but I did.
I chuckled bitterly, sitting across from Larry Tate. “I’ve had nothing to do with Dr. Tate for a long time. Otherwise, why would he bring Ms. Baker along?”
“Isn’t that right?”
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd. Larry Tate looked shocked, releasing Katie Baker’s hand as he stood up. Was this some kind of embarrassed anger because I exposed him?
“Don’t talk nonsense. She just had something to discuss with me.”
“And what exactly is so urgent that it had to be discussed here?”
By now, the room had gone silent. Only Anders came up beside me and tugged on my hand. “Mommy…”
I smiled down at him, silently reassuring him.
“Anders, come over to Daddy.”
I tightened my grip on Anders’ hand, my voice calm. “Actually, there’s something I’d like to ask Ms. Baker.”
“The baseless claims in that post have already affected my life. Could you clear them up, please?”
Larry Tate looked at me in confusion, then turned his gaze to Katie Baker. She bit her lip, her eyes watering, looking all kinds of pitiful.
Could it be that he didn’t know about all this?
“Dr. Tate, it seems Ms. Cooper doesn’t want me here,” Katie Baker said, her voice trembling. “It was rude of me. I only followed you here because I’m struggling financially and needed your help. I’ll leave now.”
Before she could take a step, Larry Tate grabbed her arm. Almost as if he had prepared in advance, he pulled a bank card from his pocket and handed it to her.
“I heard from the department head-you always try to tough it out.” His tone carried no reproach.
Suddenly, I remembered the summer after my sophomore year when my family had a crisis. Not long after the break, my parents committed suicide. While handling their affairs, I messaged him to let him know.
He told me to get a good night’s sleep. And that was it.
But the next day, he was at my door, looking disheveled, clearly having not slept. He handed me two bank cards. One was his savings from living expenses, and the other was the money he’d earned from part-time jobs.
He thought no one wanted me anymore. He said it was all the money he had, and he gave it to me.
That single act could have made me forgive him countless times.
But not this time.