Meet Me on the Mountain by Amy Waeschle

Author:Amy Waeschle [Waeschle, By Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Savage Creek Press

Fifteen

Seattle, Washington

June 2, 2016

* * *

Cassidy took a moment to gaze around the table, feeling buzzed from all the attention. After grilling her for over two hours, her defense committee had taken all of about ten minutes to confer, and she was now Dr. Cassidy Kincaid. With her tribe in tow, they migrated to a local pub to celebrate. Next to her, Pete chatted with her advisor; across the table, her old advisor from Berkeley, Dr. Jon Morrow was going head-to-head with Dr. Angela Preston, a professor on her committee; to her right, Quinn flirted with Emily and Miles; and his girlfriend Shelby listened to her financial advisor, Rodney, lecture them on the importance of investing early.

At the nearby pool table, her stepsister, Rebecca, played a game with her younger brother, Reeve. “I thought he was still in jail,” Cassidy had replied when Rebecca asked to bring him along. “He got out early for good behavior. He’s really trying, Cass,” Rebecca explained, a pleading tone in her voice.

The waiter brought another pitcher of beer, which quickly disappeared into pint glasses. Dr. Ken Thompson clinked his glass with his fork and stood, looking at Cassidy expectantly.

“Congratulations are in order,” Ken said, looking around the table. Conversations died down as all eyes turned to him. “It hasn’t been easy,” he said, his eyes connecting with Cassidy’s. “The long hours in the field. The drudgery of data analysis. Collaborating. Grant writing. Proposals that get denied. Papers that get rejected.” He paused. “But Cassidy has proven herself over and over again to be both brilliant and determined.”

Next to her, Pete squeezed her hand. Opening up to him in Tofino had caused some kind of shift. His pledge to stick by her despite her fears played over and over in her mind as they explored the little town, played Frisbee on the beach, and surfed. They kissed over their morning coffee and reached for each other throughout the day for a caress or to hold hands. Let go, he’d said, as if speaking to her soul.

Inspired by her surfing experience, she had taken to late-night swims at the University’s pool. Something about the chilly water and the work soothed her busy mind. Her writing began flowing again and she met her extended deadline, though just barely. Another publication opportunity—as first author—arrived and she had pounced.

“To your bright future,” Ken continued, raising his glass. “Congratulations, Dr. Kincaid.”

“Cheers!” the crowd said together.

“Speech!” someone called out, and a few others joined in.

Feeling slightly wobbly—whether from her two beers or the high of her accomplishment she didn’t know—Cassidy stood. She thanked her advisor and her committee, her friends for their support, and finally, Pete. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” she said, their eyes connecting. “There was a time when . . . when I wasn’t sure I could do it. But you . . . ” Her voice cracked and she paused a moment to collect herself. She wasn’t going to cry in front of all these people.

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