Flat-Out Love

Mr. Alberta suddenly flung himself forward. “Here’s the thing, Matthew. The school thinks that Celeste may not be equipped to attend Barnaby. It’s becoming clear that we ca

Matt was sitting bolt upright, his face hardened and serious. “Her grades are excellent. Stellar, in fact.”

The guidance counselor nodded. “Absolutely. It’s not a question of her academic abilities, Matthew. It’s her social development that concerns us.”

“She’s making progress,” Matt said unconvincingly.

“I understand the challenges of the Fi

“I know the situation, Mr. Alberta,” Matt said quickly.

“I was really hoping to speak to your parents about this,” the counselor said awkwardly. “Given what an important role you play in Celeste’s life, and your age, I agreed to meet with you, but this is not how I would prefer to handle this. Matthew, here is what it boils down to. I’m not sure what else we can offer Celeste. The truth is that she doesn’t have friends. Any. Her social exchanges are markedly odd, and she displays little interest in improving on them. She is withdrawn from her peers and seemingly operating on another plane. I’m sorry to say it like that, but it is the case. I realize we are dealing with delicate matters, but I’m quite concerned about her.”

“Well, what is it that you suggest we do?” Matthew did not shift his position, but his voice now had a hard edge to it. “How about we take my sister out of here and lock her up in a boarding school for crazy girls? Does that sound like an appealing possibility to you? I’m sure Celeste would thrive. What a good way to get her out of her shell.”

“Her shell? Oh, Matthew, is that how you see it? Celeste has more than a shell. There is a whole host of complicated defense systems and coping mechanisms at work here—”

“I have an idea,” Julie cut in. “I, uh, I think I have an idea. Let’s not make any rash decisions right now. Mr. Alberta, can you give her six months?”

“Ms. Seagle, I appreciate your being here. Really I do. I can see you care about Celeste’s well-being, but six months is a long time.”

“No, it’s really not a long time. She isn’t hurting anybody or infringing on any other students’ academic experience, correct?”

He nodded begrudgingly.

 “So just give it some time. We can get her moving in the right direction. This is all a temporary problem anyway.”

“Temporary?” Mr. Alberta tossed Celeste’s file onto the desk in front of him. “I’m not sure we can define this as temporary.”

“Julie, let’s go.” Matt got up from his chair and stormed out of the office.

Julie reluctantly got up. She looked pleadingly at Mr. Alberta. “Six months. A lot can happen in six months. She needs time.”

Mr. Alberta was quiet for a moment while he considered Julie’s request. “Sure. Six months.”

Julie shook his hand, now nervous herself. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” She tucked her coat over her arm. “Celeste is a really good kid, you know?”

He nodded. “I do know that. I like her. It’s just with everything that’s gone on… I worry about her.”

Julie nodded. Maybe he wasn’t such a monster after all? “I better go after Matt. Thanks again.” Julie turned and rushed down the hallway, catching up with Matt, just as he slammed Barnaby’s front door wide open. “Matt? Are you all right?”

“Not particularly, no. I wouldn’t describe that as a successful school meeting, would you?” He stormed down the front steps, and Julie hurried to keep up with him. Suddenly, he stopped short, and Julie smashed into his back.

“Sorry.” Julie rubbed her nose.

“Wait a minute. What else did he say in there?” Matt demanded. “What did he tell you about Celeste?”

“Only that they’ll give her some more time to pull it together. That’s good, right?”

“I suppose.” Matt started walking again. “And whatfonts this idea that you say you have?”

“It’s just a start, but hear me out.”

They reached the car, and Julie sketched out her thoughts to Matt on the drive home.

“I think that’s a terrible plan. Celeste will never go for it,” he said. Matt turned up the hard rock station so that Julie would practically have to yell to be heard.

She stared out the window. “She might,” Julie said hopefully. The sky had clouded over, and the energy she’d had this morning was begi

“No.” Despite his unflinching expression, Julie could hear the fear in his voice. “She’s too fragile.”

“She’s fragile because you let her be fragile.”

“Julie, you have no idea what you’re talking about.” He was angry now. “You can’t begin to understand what she’s going through.”

“Then tell me,” Julie spat back.

“No. Some things are private.”

“God, what is wrong with you people? Don’t you want to help her?”

“Julie, stop. Now.”

“Why? Why won’t anybody talk about this? Even Fi

“Fi

“What the hell does that mean?”Julie folded her arms and continued to look away.

“You’ve been talking about him all week like he’s some kind of gift to humanity. Pretty soon you’ll have your own Flat Fi

“What exactly is your problem?”

“Nothing,” Matt muttered. “You should probably stay out of this.”

“How am I supposed to stay out of this? I’m with Celeste more than anyone. She needs someone to help her.”

“I know.” Matt cranked the music back up. “I know she does.”

Chapter 17

When they got home, Julie jumped on Facebook and saw that Fi

Julie-

I’m here. Can’t co