Before leaving for work, I brought up the college question. It had been a week since her graduation and Paige was still dodging the topic.
I wanted to know. "Paige, what is going on with your college decision?"
"Okay, the issue is, I only applied to out of state schools. They all accepted me, but now I don't want to go to any of them."
"What's wrong with the state college in town?" I had gone there.
"Nothing now, except I only submitted my application last month." she said. "I'm on the waiting list."
"Why did you only apply to far off schools?"
"I didn't know what I wanted out if life. I figured I would get out there and see what I could find, but I found you first. Now, I know what I want and it's not at some women's college in Connecticut. I screwed myself."
"What if State doesn't accept you?"
"I'll take the year off or go to a junior college and transfer." she looked like she was going to cry. "Why am I so dumb? I didn't allow for staying near home. My parents are going to say 'I told you so', because they did."
I put my arms around her. "We will figure this out. I'll see if I can pull a few strings and get you in. If not, the junior college idea isn't bad. You can still graduate from State, that's what counts. But, I want you start college this fall, no skipping years."
"What strings can you pull?"
"I only have one string we can pull, but it's a pretty good one."
"Really? What is it?"
"Your first lesson in the real world. Be nice to the secretary that works for the big guy. She actually runs things."
"Did you sleep with someone's secretary?" Paige asked. I started to laugh. "What's so funny?" Paige wanted to know.
"You'll see."
***
I had gone to the engineering college at the state university and had a friendship with the department head's secretary. She had helped me out while I was there. On Monday while I was at work, I called the office for the chair of the engineering college. Someone whose voice I didn't recognize answered. I asked "Is Helen there?" I prayed she was.
There was a pause, "Hello?" It was her!
"This is Paul Douglas, I was a-"
"I know who you are. Oh, by the way, thanks for the birthday present you sent. You didn't have to, you know. How have you been?"
"Good. I bought a house and met a girl."
"That's wonderful, sweetie. You need to bring her by."
"That's why I called. I want to send her to you. I need a favor."
"Okay?"
"She applied to school really late and is stuck on the waiting list to get in."
"Why did she do that?"
"She didn't know she was going to fall in love and want to stay in town."
"Ah, this is starting to come together. You can send her but I can't promise anything, I'm not a fairy godmother you know. Have her bring her transcript."
"After what you did for me, I think you really are my fairy godmother."
"Oh stop it. You would have done the same thing if you were in my shoes." She referred to past favors she had done for me. I hoped she was right. I'd like to think I could be that big hearted.
We exchanged contact information then I called Paige and told her who to visit.
***
A couple of hours later Helen called me back. She started the conversation with, "She's adorable! I was wondering what kind of girl could have you so smitten."
"I think she's 'The One'." I let her know.
"I hope so. She's so sweet and so smart. I love her to death." Helen was absolutely gushing. I wonder what Paige had said.
"Can you help?" I asked.
"Maybe, with her records, maybe. I'll have to borrow some favors."
"I know you like to bend people to your will."
"I might be able to sneak her in with the engineering department admissions." she thought about it, "She wants major in Lit. Did you know that?"
"Yeah, I know she wants to major in Lit."
"You should know I can't get her in there, that major is always way too impacted. I'll try for general admissions, but if not she may have to pretend to love engineering for her first year."
"Okay, thanks. This means the world to me."
"You mean, 'she means the world to you'." Helen interpreted me well. "You need to stop by. It's been too long."
"I will. I should have you and your husband Fred over for dinner with Paige and me so that you can see the house."
"Sounds good. I'll be in touch about Paige"
***
Later when I got home from work, Paige jumped in my arms. "Do you think Helen can help?"
"If anyone can."
"You had me all worried about her being an old flame. She's 60 years old!"
I laughed at her. "It's not always about sex."
"What is it about with her then? She seems be closer to you than just the average student. Like, she really knows you, she really cares about you. Is she family or something? Or 'is' she an old flame, you sly dog?"
"She's almost family." I thought about how much I wanted to say right now. I had been tight lipped with the details of what happened when my parents passed away a couple years back. It wasn't something I liked to dwell on. They had a car accident a month before my graduation from college. Beyond working with my professors to get work deferred or outright excused while I went home for a few days, Helen had helped me coordinate the funeral. She sent out the death certificates for me and dealt with the lawyers and the insurance companies. She pretty much did everything. She even had the people I needed to see stop by the school office.
I just had to make sure I graduated, as Helen had told me. She took care of everything else. She even counseled me to keep me on track with my life.
I decided that since I had already bought an engagement ring for Paige and was going to make her a permanent part of my life, I needed to bring her closer into my inner world, including my dreary past. Paige had treaded lightly when it came to my parents, knowing it was a sensitive area for me. I should come clean now. "She's the one who pulled me from class and told me my parents died."