Chapter 6: The Tutor

The dining room at the Parker villa seated twelve, and Ken Bronze sat at the far end of it in his only clean shirt.

He held his fork the way a man holds a tool he doesn't trust.

William sat across from him with folded hands and a look he usually saved for contracts.

"Millbrook," William said. "Where is that?"

"Three hours north, sir. Mostly farms."

"And your parents?"

"My grandmother raised me." Ken set the fork down. "She's the only family I have."

"A scholarship student."

"Yes, sir."

"At the top of the business program."

Ken glanced up. "You read my file?"

"I read it in the car." William's mouth moved. "You haven't touched the lamb."

"I was waiting for Mrs. Parker to sit."

"She's not sitting," July said, sweeping in from the kitchen with a second tray. "She's feeding you. There are three more dishes. Eat."

Ken ate.

He ate carefully and a little too fast, and July's face did something soft each time he reached for more.

Jude watched all of it from across the table with his chin in his hand, and he couldn't stop smiling.

"Mom. Dad," he said, when the plates were nearly empty.

"Yes, sweetheart."

"I like him."

The room stopped.

Ken's fork hit his plate with a clang.

William turned to his son. "You like him."

"I like him," Jude said, and his voice didn't wobble at all.

"He saved me, and he's kind, and he makes me laugh."

"I wanted you to know that before anyone said anything else."

July pressed both hands to her chest.

"Oh, thank goodness," she said. "I thought you were going to say you'd joined a cult."

"Mom."

"I'm only saying, the face you had on the phone."

"I'm not joining anything. I'm telling you I like him."

William looked at Ken for a long moment.

Ken's ears had gone red, and he sat very straight.

"Mr. Parker," Ken began. "I haven't done anything. Whatever Jude thinks, I'd never take advantage."

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