Chapter 58
That evening, after closing the bedroom door, Celeste couldn’t help but tell Gideon about what happened today, with a hint of complaint in her voice. “I think Fifi’s personality is a bit extreme,” she began.
“Take today, for example. She didn’t mean to spill the soup on Yvette, so a sincere apology would have been enough. But instead, she had to make such a big scene, making it really awkward for me in front of Juliet.
“After Juliet left, she started crying and even knelt down in front of me, like she was performing in a drama. It made me afraid to say anything more, worried she’d misunderstand and think I don’t like her.”
Gideon hadn’t been present when Phoebe knelt down twice. Whenever he saw her, she seemed well–behaved and honest. She worked hard, always helping Evelyn with chores.
After a few moments of thought, Gideon said, “Maybe Fifi isn’t used to our home yet, and she’s too tense. That’s why she reacts intensely whenever something happens.”
Celeste disagreed. “Then why isn’t Nate like that? Nate is so open and confident.”
“Oh, and today, I talked to Nate about the Commonwealth College training slot. She offered to give it to Phoebe and said she’s planning to apply for the position of communication officer at the Art Corps. I didn’t even know that position was open for a public enrollment. Nate found out by inquiring there herself.”
“Whether she gets in or not, at least she has a plan for her future and shows ambition. If Nate hadn’t given up the slot today, with Fifi’s extreme personality, I honestly worry she might have ended up crying and kneeling to me if she didn’t get it.”
Celeste hugged her arms and rubbed them, showing a hint of concern on her face.
Gideon was a bit surprised to hear this about Natalie. He hadn’t expected the young lady to be not only beautiful but also proactive, already figuring out her career path independently instead of relying on others. He admired that.
“Yes, Nate is indeed impressive.”
Celeste leaned into her husband’s arms and said, “Since she’s capable, maybe you could help her out a bit. I heard from Juliet that many people are eyeing that position.”
Gideon wrapped his arm around her shoulders and straightened the bedcovers with his other hand until they were perfectly smooth. “Since so many people are interested in that position, it’s not right for me to step in,” he replied.
“Let’s have Nate prepare well for the enrollment first and then see how she does before we make any moves. Today, I met Colonel Jackson during a meeting, and he mentioned that the support division of the aviation squadron is looking for a data analyst. Nate could join the aviation squadron too and she’d be in the same unit as Jasper, and they could look out for each other,” Gideon added.
“The aviation squadron? Absolutely not!” Celeste shook her head as soon as she heard that. There are too many rules there, and there are minefields everywhere. The people there have to report everything they do. If Nate goes there, she won’t have any freedom at all.
But as they talked about the squadron, Celeste thought of her son and expressed her dissatisfaction. “What’s going on with Jasper? He hasn’t come home since his last mission, and it’s been a month already. I understand other pilots live far away and can’t come back easily, but our home is only an hour’s drive from the squadron. He still hasn’t come home. He’s just… ugh.”
Gideon recalled his last unpleasant phone call with their son. “He said that Nate has ulterior motives for coming into our home and doesn’t want to live with someone he considers opportunistic and vain. He hasn’t even met her yet and is already judging her. Isn’t that prejudice?
Celeste was unaware of this. “Didn’t you explain it to him?”
“Explain to him?” Gideon snorted. “You know how our son is. Once he made up his mind, nothing can change it! Let’s just go to sleep. That brat, why bother with him!”
Gideon reached out and turned off the bedside lamp.
Yvette had spent a week at home recovering from her injury. The skin on her chest was almost back to normal. Except for a little redness and peeling in some spots, it looked just like the rest of her skin.
i
During this time, Celeste had visited her twice. Today was Saturday, and she invited Yvette over again, still wanting to make up for what happened. Before leaving home, Yvette found out that the aviation squadron had no training scheduled for the day. She assumed Jasper must be at home, so she dressed up carefully. She wore a red off–the–shoulder dress paired with leather shoes, carried a purse and came over in high spirits.
Juliet came along too.
As soon as Yvette entered, she couldn’t help but ask, “Mrs. Locke, is Jasper upstairs?”
Celeste replied with a hint of helplessness, “No, he hasn’t been home for a month. I don’t know if he’s out on a mission.”
