“I already know what I want to do. Get my degree in public policy, go to law school, and eventually run for office. I had been contemplating political science, but I’ve concluded public policy is a better choice,” Brook shared.
Grace and Brook looked at me.
“Well, that’s the question. I’m sort of keeping my options open.”
“What he means is that he’s been kicking that can down the road until he’s forced to make a decision,” Brook said.
“Is that true?”
I just shrugged.
“I find it hard to believe that you’re the same guy who told me about the life goals he uses to help him with his decision-making. That guy has no idea what he wants to do?” Grace asked.
“When he was a kid, he wanted to be a Canadian Mountie and ride a horse. He knew it would be boring, so he planned to ride around with nitroglycerin in his pockets,” Brook said, totally throwing me under the bus.
If she weren’t careful, I would share some stuff with her grandmother that I was sure she never wanted to see the light of day. I decided to use my Jedi mind powers on her and put my fingers on my temples.
“These aren’t the droids you’re looking for,” I said, and Brook smirked.
“What is that about?” Grace asked.
“He’s warning me that he’s about to start sharing some of my secrets if I keep it up,” Brook said.
“Please do,” Grace suggested.
“These aren’t the droids I am looking for,” Brook said as though in a trance.
“This is an example of what we talked about yesterday,” Grace said with a smile.
“What do you mean?” Brook asked.
“Your grandmother said I shouldn’t try to be funny.”
“That’s about all he has going for him. I mean, seriously. He’s socially awkward, has unfortunate looks, and had to pay me to go out with him,” Brook said.
“I think you’re talking about that guy you went out with last weekend,” Grace said to become my hero.
“Grandma!”
“Just stop, you two,” Grace said to end our banter.
I’d missed Brook’s sense of humor.
“This,” Grace continued while pointing at the both of us, “is why I’m sure you two will do things together in the future. Even if it’s only as friends.”
Brook and I glanced at each other to communicate that we agreed with her assessment.
“The reason I wanted to talk to you two is that I see a lot of potential in both of you. David, have you decided on where you plan to go to school yet?” Grace asked.
“It’s down to either Oklahoma or USC, along with skipping college and entering the baseball draft as a long-shot third option.”
“I didn’t know you were considering skipping school. I believe that would be a mistake,” Brook said.
“It depends on how high I would go in the draft,” I explained. That didn’t seem to work, so I added, “I have to think about my family.”
“He’s just hardheaded,” Brook decided. “David secretly loves the idea of being the best, and this would be one more validation of his supremacy. His mother would never let him
When she said it that way, it gave rise to two thoughts. First, my mother did not run my life; it was simply easier to go along with what she told me to do. Second, I realized Brook was probably right. My competitive side wanted to shine. Someday, I might play baseball. For now, I just wanted to go to college and not have to enter the ‘real’ world too soon.
“I realize that you will need to consider football, but it’s a no-brainer, education-wise. You would be much better served by going to USC,” Grace said.
My mom had left me an article from US News that ranked universities based on the quality of education. USC was in the top 25, while Oklahoma hadn’t even made the list. They only rated the top 300. Northwestern, Stanford, and Notre Dame all ranked ahead of USC, with Michigan close behind it. Georgia and State were in the top 50, with Clemson just outside that. Alabama was in the 125 range, according to the article.
“My mom made sure I knew which was the better school to get an education. But you’re right; football will play a big part, along with how I feel I’ll fit in on campus. Oklahoma has a lot to offer in both regards.”
“You took several AP courses. How did you score on your AP exams?” Grace asked me.
“I scored all fives.”
At the end of an Advanced Placement class, you had to take a standardized test called an AP exam. They scored them on a one-to-five scale, five being the highest. Most universities required you to get at least a three for your course to count.
How universities handled the courses varied. Some would simply allow you to take the next course in their curriculum. For example, if you received the necessary score in economics, they would allow you to skip to the next course. But you didn’t receive credit for the AP course towards graduation. If you needed X number of hours for a degree, the university made you take an additional class to make up for the one you skipped.
