LbN: Shorter chapter this time. Happy reading!

Three Weeks Later

"So you're not going to be in the dorms?" Dr. Max asked.

Nelson shifted the phone to his other shoulder as he lay on the hood of his car. "Nope. Manny and I like the apartment too much. It's going to be cheaper to live off campus as well."

"Yeah, but you're missing out on some good experiences. Man, my friends and I used to have wild time in the—er, well not too wild…"

"Mom was standing behind you, wasn't she?" Nelson asked, grinning.

"Er…yeah. Well, I'll let you get back to work. Catch you later, Nelson."

"See ya, Dr. Max." Nelson slid his new phone closed and headed back inside. He'd been finishing up his lunch when Dr. Max had called. He'd gotten to see the man a few more times over the break, and was beginning to like him. Okay, that was a lie, he and Dr. Max were becoming BFFs for real. It was weird, talking to the guy his mom was dating like they were old drinking buddies or something, but Dr. Max was basically a straight, more mature version of Nelson.

He walked through the lobby and into the Petting Tank area, waving at Alicia.

"Done talking to Manny?" she asked, smirking at him.

"For your information, missy, I was talking to my mom's BF."

"Uh-oh, she making you guys bond?"

"Nah, we like talking. He's okay." Only a few people were milling about today. He looked over to the door as two children raced in and peered into the tanks.

"Daddy! Come look!" the little girl called, as the boy scooped up a sea cucumber.

"Be careful with it, Mage," the called, standing next to him.

Nelson grinned when he recognized "Daddy." "Hi Dr. Kringle!" he called.

"Nelson!" Dr. Kringle walked over and patted him on the back. "Working hard I see."

"Always. This your family?"

"Indeed. That's Avery and Magellan."

"Like the explorer???"

"Exactly."

"Awesome."

Kringle guffawed at that as his kids continued to enjoy the sea creatures. "Is this your permanent station now?"

"Yep! I still fill in with the turtles every now and then too. How old are they? Do they want goodie bags?"

"I'm sure they'd love those. They're both nine."

"Awesome," Nelson said, picking out the bags. "You guys want to see a cool trick with the starfish?"

"Yeah!" the twins said.

Nelson pushed the water to create a wave, then gently tapped one of the starfish's legs. It went scuttling across the sand. The kids giggled and went back to poking the sea cucumbers.

"You really know your stuff. Are you going to be here over the summer?" Kringle asked Nelson.

"No, my last day is next Tuesday. They're bringing in a younger crew for the summer to "relate better to the kids" or something like that. We got the choice of resigning or being on tank cleaning. I'm usually up for anything, but it would've been only one day a week. Not really worth it, you know?"

"Right. You know, if you want to work, I'm looking for a babysitter."

"Really?" Nelson asked. He actually would need a job, and from the way the twins were playing calmly with the animals without making a mess made him think they'd be relatively low maintenance. "For when?"

"Just during the day from June first until July 15th. I'm teaching summer school and my wife will be abroad in Venezuela. You have my card right?"

"Yep! It's still in my freshman swag bag."

"Great. Shoot me an email after you get a chance to think about it a bit."

Nelson glanced down at the caller I.D. as he rinsed his plate.

Glassman, D.

Nelson nearly dropped the plate. He wiped his hands off on his jeans and picked up his phone. "Hello?"

"Nelson? Look I only have a minute."

"Dad, I told you—"

"Just listen! I told your mom about what you said the last time we talked. She seems to be taking your side, as always, so I'll tell you what. I'm going to use my vacation days to come see you. I'll call you and let you know when I'm coming."

"What if I have to work?"

"We'll figure it out. Bye."

Nelson heard a click and barely resisted the urge to chuck his phone. It was just like his dad, to give him a call like this. Like it was some big sacrifice to give up a couple of vacation days to visit him. He scribbled a quick note to Manny and stuck it on the fridge. Grabbing his keys and flip flops, he left the apartment for a drive.

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