Something more was bothering Quincy. His coal-black eyes were clouded. His sharp brown features were tense. Darius wanted to ask his childhood friend what was on his mind. But this wasn’t the time or place.
Darius wiped condensation from his cool glass. “You’ve only been at Penn three months. You need time to adjust.”
“I did my graduate studies there.” Quincy shrugged his shoulders, clothed in a purple knit sweater Ramona must have bought for him. “I knew what to expect.”
“But now you’re a member of the faculty.” Kenneth shook his head. “That’s different.”
Quincy stared across the room, appearing deep in thought. “I miss the flexibility of our academic department.”
“TFU’s a much smaller university, which allows it greater acade
mic collaboration and creativity.” Kenneth sipped his water.
Darius struggled in the role of devil’s advocate. He didn’t want to give Quincy reasoned arguments to remain in Philadelphia. Darius wanted his friend to come home. But was he being selfish?
He made himself focus on Quincy. “When you were deciding whether to leave, you said Philadelphia would give you access to historical research.”
“Suppose Ramona doesn’t like Philadelphia? She thought she’d like New York, but she hated it there.” Quincy’s gaze pinned Darius. “What if she hates Philadelphia?”
Darius frowned. “You’re borrowing trouble, Q.”
Quincy dragged his hand over his bald head again. “I’m wondering if I’ve made a mistake.”
“Ramona will join you in January after Doreen is sworn in as mayor.” Darius leaned into the table. “That will give you both five months before your contract ends and you have to decide if you want to stay at Penn or return to TFU.”
Kenneth offered Quincy a persuasive smile. “At TFU, you’re the big fish in a smaller pond.”
“You’re my friend.” Quincy eyed Darius. “I thought you’d want me back in Trinity Falls.”
Was Q joking? “Are you sure you have an advanced degree?”
Quincy scowled at him. “Why are you always questioning that?”
Darius sighed. “It’s because I’m your friend that I’m asking you to give Penn a chance. I want you to be happy, Q. Don’t let fear hold you back.”
“What about you, Darius?” Kenneth asked. “The Monitor is a good paper, but have you reached your potential there?”
Darius’s lips curved in a half smile. “I’ve written for a big metropolitan daily. This small-town newspaper is exactly where I want to be.”
“Lucky us.” Ramona’s sarcasm came from behind Darius as she circled the table toward Quincy.
Darius’s gaze skipped over Jackson, Audra, and Ms. Helen, who followed in Ramona’s wake, to settle on Peyton. The little professor wore a pink sweater and a black ankle-length wool skirt. It wasn’t her Catwoman costume, but she was just as captivating.
Darius tore his gaze from Peyton to give Ramona a dry look. “Thanks for the kind words.”
“It was a weak moment.” Ramona stood behind Quincy. She rested her hands on his shoulders.
Quincy reached up and took one of her hands in his.
Peyton shook Kenneth’s hand. “Congratulations, Ken.”
“Thank you.” Kenneth took her hand in both of his. “I’m glad you could make it.”
Jackson and Audra also offered their well wishes to the retiring professor.
The pleasantries appeared to be too much for Ramona. “Come on, Ken. Everyone’s waiting for you to start the food line. I’m starving.”
Kenneth chuckled as he pushed himself to his feet. “Then by all means, let me lead the charge to the buffet tables.”