Page 74 of Silent Count
“Chelsea, Jon Callaway,” he says formally, holding his hand out to her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Honor.”
“Oh, no, no. Call me Jon. No formalities, please.” He chuckles as he walks back to his seat.
I pull out a seat for Chelsea, and she sits down. Then I pull my chair out next to her and take her hand in mine under the table.
“So, Chelsea, Bo tells us you’re from Florida?” my mom asks.
“Yes, I’m from the Naples area.” Chelsea picks up her water from the table and takes a drink.
“Oh, Naples is lovely. So, you’re a Southern girl like me then.” She winks at Chelsea.
“I am, born and raised.” Chelsea smiles and nods.
“And you have a sister?” Mom asks.
“Yes, I have a younger sister. She just turned eighteen.”
“I did too!” Savannah says. “So, is she graduating this year too then?”
“She is.”
“Does she know where she wants to go to school yet?” Caroline asks.
Chelsea shakes her head. “I’m not sure she’s decided, but she wants to stay in Florida. I know Miami is on the table and University of Florida.”
“I’ll probably stay in state too. University of Southern California is my first choice, but we’ll see.” Savannah shrugs.
“That’s a great school. I applied there for law school,” Chelsea adds.
I look over at my dad and see him watching her with a look I can’t read. Like he’s trying to figure something out.
“What other schools have you applied to?” he asks her.
She clears her throat. “Um, well, USC, Penn, NYU, and Walker, just in case I want to stay here.” She lifts a shoulder.
“All great schools. What were your LSAT scores?” he asks her.
“Dad,” I interrupt.
She laughs. “It’s okay; he can ask. I got a one seventy-one, so I’m hoping it should get me into any of my choices.”
My dad nods. “Strong score. Well done.”
“Thank you,” Chelsea says.
“I bet your parents are proud,” my dad says.
I lean back in my chair. “Dad.”
Chelsea touches my arm. “It’s okay.” She looks at my dad. “My aunt raised us. My mother died when I was young.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Chelsea. Is your dad still living?” Mom asks her.
Chelsea shakes her head. “My dad isn’t in the picture.”
“Why not?” My dad asks.
