Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“That settles it,” Professor Aavik said, meeting Santiago’s gaze. “We’ll go there after the munch.”
Santiago nodded. “Great plan.” Under the table, he slipped a hand onto my thigh, and it sent a shiver down my spine. “You’ll come with us, won’t you, boy?”
I caught Tate smirking, and it made me flush.
“Y-yeah, sure, absolutely.” I cleared my throat and tried to act cool.
Holy crap, I guessed I had plans after the munch.
With Santiago and Professor Aavik.
Oh my God. What if we stayed at Waffled all day and talked history? I mean, he knew who I was now; he knew I was in his class, and I didn’t have to hide anymore. I could finally join the conversation.
As intimidated as I was by Professor Aavik, it would be a dream come true to just sit and talk history with him for hours. Maybe he could sign my books!
By the time the munch was over, I’d made up my mind. I was going to make Professor Aavik like me so he could be my friend too.
Step one, be less awkward. I should be able to accomplish that in a year or two.
I didn’t freaking know what to say, and here I was…out on the sidewalk, all alone with the professor, while Santiago chitchatted on the stoop with Master Greer and Sloan. They were Corey’s Owners. And Archie’s Owners.
I put on my mittens and snuck a glance at Professor Aavik, who was typing on his phone.
“Would you say this review of the restaurant packs a good punch?” he asked, stepping closer to show me his phone. “I thought I’d text it to Macklin, and if he doesn’t lift this ridiculous ban, I’ll post it everywhere.”
I felt my eyebrows lift, and I scanned the text he’d prepared.
After years of enjoying the cuisine here, I must say I’m disappointed in the owner’s new direction. It reminds me of my early childhood years in Estonia during the Soviet occupation. The staff completely disregarded my order and decided for themselves what I should eat. If this continues, I will not return.
“Yikes. Um, yes, I’d say it packs a punch, Sir,” I said.
“Good. There.” He pressed send. “Now we wait for Macklin’s no-doubt dramatic response.”
I wasn’t sure it could be more dramatic than Aavik’s message.
“Did you really grow up in Estonia?” I found that way more interesting.
He inclined his head. “I don’t have many memories of the place, I’ll admit. My mother fled after my father was murdered.”
Holy shit.
“I’m so sorry, Sir. I shouldn’t have pried.”
He waved that off. “It’s not a sore topic these days. If anything, it’s a source of pride for my heritage. My father was a great man—a general who committed treason against the USSR.”
That was incredible. He was part of so much history—and if his father dared go against the occupation, he had to have been brave.
“So he was working for the US?” I wondered.
Professor Aavik zipped up his jacket some more and weighed his response. “Covertly, yes. But mostly, he was working for the Estonian people. He and my biological mother dedicated their lives to Estonia’s independence.”
“Wow.” I just stared up at him, wishing I could ask a million questions. I bet I could listen to him for weeks and never get tired. “And then your mom fled with you and Master Walker…?”
“No, just me.” He smiled faintly. “Walker is my foster brother. His mother took me in after mine passed away from breast cancer. Sadly, I don’t have many memories left of her either. She died very young. But…she made enough of an impact to make me the second historian in the family.” His smile held traces of pride. “I suppose I followed in both their footsteps, first my father when I joined the Navy, and then my mother when I became a professor.”
I thought back on the books I had, the ones Professor Aavik had written, and unless I was missing a title or several, he hadn’t written any memoirs. Most of his works were about the Cold War and naval history.
“If you ever teach a class or write a book about your family history, please let me know,” I said. “I have, like, a million questions.”
Professor Aavik chuckled warmly and clasped his hands behind his back. “Most people would fall asleep at the mere thought.”
“Not me.” I stood up straighter and couldn’t help but let some of my excitement fall out. “Postwar Europe is extremely fascinating—partly because we discuss it today as if it happened hundreds of years ago, but it didn’t. I mean, people remember the nineties! The lines on the map were redrawn just thirty years ago.”
He peered down at me with a look that could only be described as approval, so I took that as a win and let out a breath. “I hope I get to see this side of you in class from now on, Gael.”