“I’m heading out of state for a week this weekend,” Cas said during lunch at school.
“My grandmother lives out there and broke her leg.
My mom is helping her until we find a nurse she’ll actually put up with, and I’m going along to help my mom.”
“What about school?” I asked.
“My father generously gave me permission to skip classes and is letting the administration know my absence is excused.”
“We’ll just have to study with you when you get back so you can maintain those ‘stellar’ grades of yours,” I teased.
“I mean, for some people, a C is actually good,” Dom laughed.
“The goal was to pass,” I replied, “so we’ve officially over-delivered on the plan.” Cas burst out laughing.
“How are you going to handle your violin gigs at the bistro?” Cas asked.
“I’m skipping them,” I said.
“It’s a hit to my income, but with the internship stipend, I can swing it.”
“Ginger,” he said, turning serious, “keep going to the gym while I’m gone.
Bob will help you.
I’d tell you to use my car, but you still can’t drive.” He teased.
“I’ll haul her around,” Dom chimed in.
“I’ll drop her off and pick her up when she’s done.”
“Thank you,” I said with a smile.
Cas went away, but he called me every evening to check if everything was okay.
Sometimes we even played his word game; I’d draw the letters for him, and he’d see them through my phone’s camera.
Even then, I didn’t stand a chance against him.
“Did you make it to your set at the bistro this week ?” he asked.
“I took a taxi,” I said.
“And since tomorrow is Sunday, I’m going to the gym, too.”
“Just watch your arms,” he said seriously.
“If your form is off, you’re going to strain them.”
“Thank you, Master,” I said, giving a slight bow to the camera.
He just laughed.
“When I get back, we’re getting right back to your driving lessons, too,” he said firmly.
“Your car is going to love me more than you,” I teased.
“But fine.
You know, you don’t have to call every single day.
I’m sure you have plenty to do.”
“First of all, when you text me, I don’t always understand what you mean because your spelling is just that perfect,” he teased, and I made a face at the screen.
“Second, I have time to play with you.
Being here consists of my mom and my grandma arguing over what’s best for Grandma.
How much do you think I care about that?
Anyway, I’m only calling because I don’t want to lose my precious C average.” He laughed.
“You won’t,” I answered.
“So, are you coming back Monday?”
“No,” Cas said.
“We’re staying a few more days.
My mom is the worrying type, though Grandma is already trying to kick us out.” He laughed.
“Alright, just keep me posted.
I have to go; Dom will be home soon.”
“What are you guys eating?” he asked, sounding interested.
“I ordered Chinese,” I said.
He let out a long sigh.
“You actually ordered Chinese while I’m away?” he asked reproachfully.
“You know I love it.”
“That’s life,” I laughed.
“Talk to you tomorrow.” I nodded and hung up.
Until Cas returned, we focused on our office internship.
After classes, Dom and I would head to the office together and then go home.
They paid us an hourly rate, so the loss of income wasn’t too significant.
Every day we stayed late, usually being among the last to leave with Dominic.