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“How did you choose Whitney?” Roger asked. “You’re pretty far from home. Is there a program there that you’re very interested in?”
Julie didn’t know how to answer this. She was aware that studying at Whitney probably wasn’t looked at with high regard by the Harvard/MIT/Laboratory for Microbial Oceanography crowd at the table. “I guess I just wanted to try something new. Move to a big city. And to be honest, I didn’t get in to some of the other places I applied,” Julie admitted. “Even though my grades and test scores were good, my high school’s reputation probably didn’t carry much weight with admissions offices. I did get into a few other schools that would have been great, but I didn’t get the financial aid I would need. I’m going to have big loans to pay off as it is.”
“Whitney is a good school,” Erin reassured her. “The college admission process is nearly impossible to navigate. And you can always transfer to another school if you do well at Whitney.”
“Did you pick your classes yet? I could help you,” Celeste offered. “I read through the entire online course catalog when Fi
Julie smiled. “I have to register on Friday, and I would love your help.”
Celeste was petite, with more her father’s build than Matthew, and her round face hadn’t yet slimmed down with age. And despite being obviously bright and overly articulate, there was something very immature about her. The light green pinafore-style dress that she had on looked more appropriate for a second-grader than a teenager. Julie would never have been caught dead in something like that, and she could only imagine how well it went over with Celeste’s fellow students.
But what struck Julie the most about Celeste had to do with what—or who?—was in the chair next to her.
“Oh, Julie! I didn’t introduce you properly, did I?” Celeste chirped happily and then turned to the seat next to her. “Flat Fi
Erin poured herself some sparkling water, and Roger continued daydreaming about brine, but Julie was sure she heard Matt catch his breath. She eyed the seat again.
Frankly, she’d been hoping to get through di
No one else had mentioned anything so far, but this must be what Matt had started to tell her about: A life-size cardboard cutout of their brother Fi
The fu
Fi
Julie looked across the table and tried not to pause too long before speaking. “It’s very nice to meet you, Flat Fi
Celeste wrinkled her nose. “Fi
OK, this was obviously not normal. In fact, it was downright weird. But Julie was a guest in their home, and she would be as polite to this Flat Fi
Celeste quickly shook her head. “He already had di
“I admire his self-control,” Julie said. “See if I can pass up hot fudge sundaes at midnight.”
Celeste glanced at Flat Fi
“If Flat Fi
“Deal. But Mom better not sneak him any Oreos. Those are his favorite treat.”
“I promise.” Erin held up her hand, palm outward, pledging not to serve cookies to her son’s unresponsive twin.
Julie shrugged to herself. She didn’t particularly care about Flat Fi
Look, everyone has a few psychological idiosyncrasies, right? Julie reasoned. She probably had a few, and this was Celeste’s. Hell, there were worse things than this. Maybe not more bizarre, but there were worse. Probably.
“Julie, guess where Fi
“Antarctica?”
“No.”
“Syria? Mongolia? New Zealand? Tallahassee? No? Must be Boise then.”
“There are no game reserves in Boise. At least, not that I know of. He is in South Africa. The Eastern Cape, right by the Indian Ocean. He sent me pictures of antelopes yesterday and said that next time he will send a picture of a white tiger. They are very rare.”
“Very cool,” Julie agreed. “How long is he gone for?”
“That is unclear,” Celeste said. “He has been going all over the world for months now, and he still has a long list of places he wants to see. He finds jobs and charity work wherever he goes, so he is not just some spoiled brat on a permanent vacation. He might even climb Kilimanjaro.”
“That sounds terrifying,” Erin said. “I’m not one for heights myself, but Fi
“Really?” Julie said. “That’s impressive.”
Matt coughed, and made a show of reaching across the table for another carton of food.
“He did. I will show you those pictures later, too,” Celeste said.
Erin smiled. “Fi
“Trying to peek at a girl in his class?” Julie guessed.
Erin laughed. “Her mother, actually. Mrs. Livingston heard about this and was flattered. She sent a tray of cookies over with a thank-you note. Fi
“I’ll walk with you,” Roger said. “It’s a beautiful night. I should be done around eleven. Will you be ready then?”
“Perfect. Julie, you’re welcome to use the car tomorrow to look at apartments. The keys are hanging in the kitchen. We both leave early for work, so we’ll see you at di
Erin and Roger vanished faster than you could say Type A personality, leaving Julie and Matt alone with Celeste and Flat Fi
Matt backed his chair up and looked wryly at Julie. “Interesting enough for you?”