“Research scientists are well compensated,” I said, “especially when their work has commercial applications. The protein folding research has already attracted interest from three pharmaceutical companies.”
I could see my family recalculating everything they thought they knew about my career prospects. This was not just academic achievement. This was practical financial success, the kind of success they understood and respected.
“Sarah,” Marcus said slowly, “I think I owe you a really big apology. Like a really, really big apology.”
“We all do,” Mom said firmly. “Starting with dinner tonight. A proper celebration dinner, wherever you want to go.”
“And dessert,” Emma added. “Really good dessert. Like expensive dessert.”
I looked at my family, my flawed, dismissive, occasionally impossible family, and felt something I had not experienced in years: hope. Not for perfection, but for better. For the possibility that they could learn to see me as I actually was, rather than as their preconceived notion of what I should be.
“I’d like that,” I said. “But can we go somewhere that doesn’t have a kids’ menu? I’m twenty-two and heading to Harvard Medical School. I think I’ve earned the right to eat somewhere with cloth napkins.”
Dad laughed. Actually laughed. Not the polite chuckle he usually offered when I attempted humor.
“Cloth napkins it is. The fanciest restaurant in town. Our future doctor deserves the best.”
Future doctor. Our future doctor.
It was the first time I had heard genuine pride in his voice when he talked about my future, and it meant more than I had expected.
As we walked toward the parking lot, Dr. Hendricks caught up with us one more time.
“Sarah, I forgot to mention that Harvard called this morning. Dr. Foster wanted me to tell you that they’ve arranged housing in graduate student apartments near the medical school. Fully furnished. Utilities included. You won’t need to worry about finding a place or dealing with security deposits.”
“That’s incredibly generous,” Mom said.
I could tell she was starting to understand the level of investment Harvard was making in my education.