Page 43 of The Sandbar saga

"I thought you said I could stay with you this summer while I figured out how to earn money to get an apartment." She sat up straighter. "Have you changed your mind?"

"No, you're free to stay with me. I don't think you should worry about getting an apartment. With college, you won't have time to work to live off-campus." He pushed the button on the steering wheel, turning the stereo down. "It'll be hard to get a job without an education, and I'll pay your way to get a degree."

She reached out and pushed his upper arm. "Ho' down, Jose'. You're thinking like a doctor. Where do you shop?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"Humor me." She crossed her legs. "Where do you shop for groceries? Buy your coffee? Get your car worked on? Where do you get your taxes done? Where do you take your dates? There are a lot of jobs that don't require a college degree."

"Point taken." He glanced over at her. "Do you think that will be enough to get you a car? An apartment?"

"Someday." She looked forward. "It took you eight years to become a psychologist."

"Nine," he muttered.

"How long did it take you to pay off your student loans?"

Damn. He cracked the window open, letting in some fresh air. No wonder she passed her debate class.

"This isn't about me. We're talking about your life." He changed lanes, passing the car in front of him before getting back into the right lane. "We don't have to discuss anything now. You graduated tonight. Ride the high and enjoy your newfound freedom for the summer before you buckle down."

She stopped the conversation, going back to looking out the windshield. He thought about turning the music up, but she was no longer paying attention.

Halfway home, Katie fell asleep. Her ideals were dosed with inexperience.

St. Mary's sheltered her while preparing her for college. Hell, they even bussed in boys from the Jesuit school to attend the dance each quarter. She'd seen very little of the real world.

He gave her three months, and she'd want to enroll at Clatsop Community College. That would be a good start.