Chapter 8

Sebastian doesn't tell Theo the plan, but when the car pulls out of the restaurant's parking lot, it turns into Downtown Ithaca.

- Where are we going? Theo asks, suspiciously.

- Let's go to William's house. I want to introduce you to him and Nancy. I'm sure you'll get along fine. Don't be fooled by their age. William's a young spirit, and Nancy, damn, she's the best, but if you step out of line, she's scary as hell.

When he stops the car, Theo hurries out and shoves his hands in his pockets. Sebastian chuckels.

When he knocks on the door, it's Nancy who opens it.

- Boy, I hope you have a good excuse for not having lunch at home – she says very seriously, then looks at Theo and, with the kindest smile in the world, says – hello, you must be Sebs' new friend. Get in.

They enter and William appears at the entrance to the living room.

- Come over here. I want to meet your new friend.

- William, Nancy, this is Theo. I won't tell his story, because only he is free to tell it, but I need to ask a big favor.

Sebastiam pushes Theo onto the couch and sits down beside him.

- What do you need? You know I'll do everything I can.

- I'd like to ask you to make dinner, invite the new dean, and, of course, me and Theo. Obviously, the expenses are on me.

William looks at the woman, who nods, picks up the phone and, while dialing Benjamin's number, says:

- Dinner will be at 7.30 pm, and if you talk about money again, I'll give you to Nancy and her scissors.

Nancy and Sebastian laugh, but Theo doesn't understand what's going on. He looked at everyone and in his head only the phrase, “where did I get myself into” hovered.

When dinner starts, Theo relaxes. He spent the afternoon talking with the owners of the house and Sebastian, about banal things, about his degree, future prospects, and Sebastian was right, he loved the Smiths. They were simple people, but polite. They both had an extraordinary aptitude for connecting with young people, and Theo felt some support for the first time in his life.

- Mr. Jones, William said you wanted to talk to me. What can I do for you?

- I'd like to ask you a personal favor. I'd like you to use your influence to arrange a single room in another dorm for Theo.

Benjamin sighs.

- I had already told Theo that there are only double rooms left. Maybe next semester.

- Let's not beat around the bush Mr. Benjamin Taylor – Sebastian interrupts, using the man's full name, to show the seriousness of the matter – are the remaining double rooms occupied by one student?

- There are double rooms available. No one's there. Not many, but I think 2 or 3.

- So, what's the problem if Theo occupies one, as if it were a single room?

- Mr. Jones, for the next semester, it may be necessary to rent the other bed to another student.

- Correct, but anyway, someone might leak a single and Theo gets his single afterwards. Fair, don't you think?

Dean starts to feel trapped and looks at Theo. The boy lowers his head.

- You don't have to bother with me. I am waiting for the end of the semester.

- In that case, give Theo his money back and he'll stay at our home until the end of the term- - Nancy says, angrily.

Theo looks at her with wide eyes, and when he opens his mouth to speak, she sticks her finger in front of his face and continues.

- No conversations, young man. In my house, I rule with my husband.

- Well, then it looks like I won't be able to give the seminar either. There are nasty things happening at Cornell.

Dean blushes and sighs.

- Let me speak to the department that rents the rooms. Tomorrow's Sunday, but Monday I'll take care of everything. Mr Jones, you have my word that no later than next Thursday, Theodore Hanson will be out of his current dormitory.

Theo looks between Sebastian and the dean in complete astonishment.

- Good, good, very good. - William says, hitting Benjamin on the back. - Good decision. It's always good to please Sebastian Jones if you know what I mean.

Nancy makes an evil smile and Benjamin blushes. He wasn't used to being blackmailed like that.

When the night's over, Benjamin leaves, and Theo, sitting on the couch, doesn't even know what to say.

- What happened here? - question.

- Turns out you got the best friend you could ever have found. He's known you for 12 hours, and he's already solved your room problem – William says.

- Nothing special. If Benjamin wants me to give a seminar, he has to give me some in return. I ordered a new dorm room for Theo, simple negotiation. Also, the millions they ask me every year need retribution as well.

- tonight, you sleep at here. You can sleep on the couch or in Sebastian's room, whichever you like. Tomorrow he'll drive you back to the dormitory before heading back to New York.

- I can't. Please don't make me.

-Why? – William asks:

- It's better for Theo that his “dormmates” – he makes quotation marks with his hands to accentuate the word “mates” – don't see him arrive with me in the morning. We don't want them to think he spent the night with me, right?

William and Nancy look at each other and finally some light comes on.

- Oh, I get it. So maybe I'd better take him back to the dorm. He still has to live there for a few more days.

Theo looks at him gratefully.

William gets up, takes the key and tells the woman to come too.

- Those idiots will think you're on my wing. If they do anything else for you, let me know. I will introduce Nancy to them.

Everyone laughs.

Sebastian hugs Theo and puts a card in his hand.

- As soon as you get to the room, send me a message to let me know if you have arrived well. I want you to text me every day until you have your new room. If you don't text me, I'll call the campus security department and have them start a search.

Theo takes the card and puts it in his pocket, smiling.

- Thank you for everything. From being an inspiration to me and to being the best person I've ever known.