Admission by Travis Thrasher Read Free Book Online

everywhere I’ve ever gone since college. And let me tell you—that’s a lot of places.”
    She continued to study the picture, her eyes teary.
    “I always believed that at some point in my life, somewhere, I’d run into you again,” I said. “I didn’t know the circumstances and didn’t know the how, but I believed I’d see you again. And here we are.”
    She nodded and handed the picture back to me.
    I stared at it. It was taken my senior year at some party. I had my arm around Alyssa, who was laughing and trying to getout of my hug. Her smile told the truth. That there was a chance for the two of us.
    Looking at Alyssa now, eleven years later, I wondered if that chance still existed.

NINE
          January 1994
    THE DOOR OPENED , and the pleasant look on Alyssa’s face faded when she saw him.
    “Jake, look—”
    “Don’t worry, I’m not stalking you. I gotta meet with her.”
    “Ms. Peterson?”
    “What—I’m not on your little planner?”
    “She didn’t tell me about it.”
    “She called this morning. Let’s call this unofficial business.”
    The tall ruler figure of Ms. Peterson came to the doorway and nodded at Jake. “Come on in.”
    She shut the door behind them.
    “All right,” Jake said, sitting down in the familiar chair. “What’d I do this time?”
    “You’re not in trouble, not this time.”
    “I’m finally getting that student-of-the-year award?”
    Ms. Peterson looked like a windup toy that wasn’t able to expend its energy. Her face was square, her hair shorter than Jake’s. When she looked at him, he thought he could chip ice with the edge of her jaw.
    “A few teachers commented on the fact that they smelled liquor on your breath the morning of enrollment.”
    Jake appeared confused. He tried to remember enrollment. “What are you talking about?”
    “Three different people told me that you came through the line inebriated and reeking of alcohol.”
    “Maybe it’s just my minty mouthwash.”
    “Jake, this isn’t funny.”
    “Bad breath is nothing to laugh about.”
    Ms. Peterson looked down at her desk, then darted her eyes back to him. “Someone reported seeing you in the parking lot drinking.”
    “Are you serious?”
    “Am I ever not?” she asked.
    “What? Me and my flask bottle?”
    “Jake, I think it’s a sign of a deeper problem.”
    “Whoa, hold on. Look, I’m not going to deny my breath may have smelled like Milwaukee’s finest. But I wasn’t in the parking lot swigging gin. Come on.”
    “How many times have you been in here, sitting across from me?”
    “Sometimes you just can’t get enough of a good thing.”
    “Nine times, not including today.”
    “Did I set a record?”
    Ms. Peterson shook her head. “You know, you can flash that smile and try to be cute with the girls, maybe even with some of the female profs, but that doesn’t get you anywhere in here.”
    “So am I in trouble?”
    “Not officially.”
    “But unofficially, I’m what? Grounded?”
    “Jake, I’m worried about you.”
    “ ’cause I’m smoking in the boys’ room?”
    “Because I believe you have a problem.”
    Jake nodded, suddenly aware where this was heading. “Tell me something,” he said. “If you went to the University of Illinois or Wisconsin, what would you find kids my age doing?”
    “This isn’t one of those universities.”
    “Why single me out?”
    “You signed a pledge before coming to Providence. You agreed to the rules, as much as you’ve fought to break them.”
    “Everyone goes to parties and drinks around here,” he said. “I’m sorry to burst your bubble.”
    “Not everyone.”
    “Most everyone. And okay, maybe I smelled a little funky, but I’m not drinking in the parking lot, and I don’t have a problem.”
    “What happens when you graduate?”
    Jake shrugged. The almighty question. He didn’t have an answer.
    “After a while, actions can become habits.”
    He nodded. “Look—I’ve had enough