“Why UConn?” asked Tom, “when you could…”
“Because it was Rebecca’s first choice.”
12
The president of Yale stared down at a thousand expectant freshmen. In a year’s time, some of them would have found the going too tough and moved on to other universities, while others would have simply given up. Fletcher Davenport and Jimmy Gates sat in the body of the hall and listened intently to every word President Waterman had to say.
“Do not waste a moment of your time while you are at Yale, or you will regret for the rest of your life not having taken advantage of all this university has to offer. A fool leaves Yale with only a degree, a wise man with enough knowledge to face whatever life throws at him. Seize every opportunity that is offered to you. Do not be frightened of any new challenge, and should you fail, there is no reason to be ashamed. You will learn far more from your mistakes than from your triumphs. Do not be afraid of your destiny. Be afraid of nothing. Challenge every writ, and let it not be said of you, I walked a path but never left an imprint.”
The president of Yale resumed his place after nearly an hour on his feet, and received a prolonged standing ovation. Trent Waterman, who did not approve of such displays, rose and left the stage.
“I thought you weren’t going to join in the standing ovation?” said Fletcher to his friend as they filed out of the hall. “‘Just because everyone else has for the past ten years, doesn’t mean I shall join in the ritual,’ if I remember your sentiments correctly.”
“I admit it, I was wrong,” said Jimmy. “It was even more impressive than my father had assured me it would be.”
“I feel confident your endorsement will come as a relief to Mr. Waterman,” said Fletcher, as Jimmy spotted a young woman laden with books walking a few paces ahead of them.
“Seize every opportunity,” he whispered in Fletcher’s ear. Fletcher wondered whether to stop Jimmy making a complete fool of himself, or just let him find out the hard way.
“Hi, I’m Jimmy Gates. Would you like me to help you with your books?”
“What did you have in mind, Mr. Gates? Carrying them, or reading them to me?” replied the woman, who didn’t break her stride.
“I was thinking of carrying them to begin with, and then why don’t we see how it goes from there?”
“Mr. Gates, I have two rules I never break: dating a freshman and dating someone with red hair.”
“Don’t you think the time has come,” said Jimmy, “to break them both at once? After all, the president did tell us to never be frightened of a new challenge.”
“Jimmy,” said Fletcher, “I think…”
“Ah yes, this is my friend Fletcher Davenport, he’s very clever, so he could help you with the reading part.”
“I don’t think so, Jimmy.”
“And he’s also very modest, as you can see.”
“Not a problem you suffer from, Mr. Gates.”
“Certainly not,” said Jimmy. “By the way, what’s your name?”
“Joanna Palmer.”
“So you’re obviously not a freshman, Joanna,” said Jimmy.
“No, I’m not.”
“Then you’re the ideal person to help and succor me.”
“What do you have in mind?” asked Miss Palmer, as they climbed the steps to Sudler Hall.
“Why don’t you invite me to supper this evening, and then you can tell me everything I should know about Yale,” ventured Jimmy just as they came to a halt outside the lecture hall. “Hey,” he said, turning to Fletcher, “isn’t this where we’re meant to be?”
“Yes, it is, and I did try to warn you.”
“Warn me? About what?” asked Jimmy, as he opened the door for Miss Palmer and followed her into the room, hoping he could sit next to her. The undergraduates immediately stopped talking, which took Jimmy by surprise.
“I apologize for my friend, Miss Palmer,” whispered Fletcher, “but I can assure you he has a heart of gold.”