Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4)(112)

“But I just sent in the application like a month ago. How could they have accepted me already?”

“Private institutions have different timetables,” he said with a shrug. “You can start in the fall. In the meantime, I know a professor there who has an over-the-garage apartment she rents out to students. The current tenant is moving in with her boyfriend, so it will be available by the end of the week. You’ll be safe there and you’ll have someone to watch out for you. Kelli is on staff at the medical school and she takes student welfare very seriously.”

She understood all the words, but they weren’t making sense. USC? It was a top school, but the cost was prohibitive.

She looked at him. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Then let me keep talking. You’ll need to apply for every grant and scholarship you can. I’m talking to a few people and I’ve pulled together tuition for the first year, but after that, you’re on your own. I have a few leads on summer jobs. You’ll want something part-time for the school year and—”

Heather burst into tears. No, not tears. Ugly, body-shaking sobs that made it impossible to breathe. She covered her face with her hands, unable to take it all in. Elliot quieted and put a box of tissues in front of her.

She grabbed a handful and tried to get control but she couldn’t. Every time she tried, she thought about what he was doing for her and started crying again.

Finally, she was able to catch her breath. She wiped her face and stared at him. “Why?”

“Because you work hard and deserve a chance to make something of yourself.”

“But there are a lot of people like that.”

“I don’t know them. I know you.”

More tears spilled down her cheeks. “I can never repay you.”

“I don’t want to be repaid. I want you to become your best self, then I want you to help someone else. That’s how it works, Heather. That’s how we make the world a better place. One person at a time.”

She nodded, then stood and walked around his desk. Elliot rose and she hugged him.

“Thank you so much. I won’t let you down, I swear.”

“I know, child. I know. Just promise to stay in touch. I want to hear about it all.”

  Sophie glared at Elliot. “You’re making me look bad.”

He glanced up from his computer. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“That’s crap. You got Heather into USC and are paying for her first year of college? Why?”

He tilted his head. “Are you genuinely angry or more chagrined?”

She sank onto the visitor chair. “I’m not mad. You’re doing a good thing. She’s so excited, she’s practically floating.”

Heather had burst into her office to tell her the good news. While Sophie was happy for her, she also felt unsettled by the whole thing.

“It should be me,” she mumbled.

“Why isn’t it?”

“I don’t know. It’s hard for me to give people money.” Something she wanted to blame on Mark and Fawn. “My college roommate screwed me on the business and my ex took a ton. Plus, people are always asking for handouts. It puts me on edge. I’m cautious.” She might be buying Amber a condo—she hadn’t fully decided. Was a condo more impressive than a year of tuition at USC? She wasn’t sure. Besides, this wasn’t a competition. Or it shouldn’t be. Dammit, why couldn’t she be more normal?

“You pay your employees well,” Elliot pointed out, forcing her back to the conversation.

“That’s different. That’s an exchange. They do work, I pay them. But just handing over money... It’s hard.”

“It gets easier with practice.”

“Should I pay for some of Heather’s college?”

“It would be a nice gesture.”

“What if she doesn’t do well? What if she goofs off and skips classes and flunks out?”

“The food stamp argument,” he said. “Many people only want to offer food stamps if the recipient uses them the way the donor wants. You want to dictate what happens with your donation.”

“You say that like it’s bad. It’s my money.”

“Not after you give it away.”

“So you’re fine with whatever happens?”

He smiled. “My joy is in the giving. Once the money leaves my bank account, it’s not up to me anymore. I can’t control the other person or organization I’m giving to. Trying to do so ties me down.”

“That’s crazy.”

“Maybe to you. For me, it’s about letting go.”

“I don’t think I can let go that much.”

“It’s your choice.”

She sighed. “I don’t want to be a bad person.”

“You’re not.”

“Then why do I feel guilty about what you’re doing for Heather?”

“Because you could have done the same and you didn’t.”

“Ouch.”

“Just telling you what I think. If you came to see me for absolution, I can’t give you that. You have earned financial success. What you do with it is completely up to you. But here’s what I know, Sophie. Sometimes it feels good to share it with someone else.”