“Ah, it’s not college Marge and Hank have a problem with. It’s the fact that Beth got a scholarship to UCLA that has them up in arms,” Quaid explained. “He’s absolutely certain that the minute Beth steps foot in California she’ll either be murdered or join a cult.”

“Good for Beth,” Remy said with a nod. “It’s important to get out and see the world. Where’s Noelle thinking of going for college?”

Why did everyone ask him that damn question? “She’s looking at some schools. I think she’s going to study business.”

“Really? I thought she liked science,” Rene mused. “I seem to remember you always talking about how crazy she was about chemistry. Wasn’t she in AP Chemistry before the accident? Was she able to finish that up?”

“She decided to go another way.” He’d been surprised because her school offered it as a course. He’d figured she had enough to deal with and he hadn’t fought her on it.

“All that work and she didn’t finish?” Remy asked.

“She was going through a lot at the time.” And he’d been dealing with it, too. Was it time to stop merely trying to get through a day and start worrying about the future? “I’m surprised Beth would even think about going to California. She’s so close to her family.”

Quaid shrugged. “She wants to see the world.”

“Has she ever been on a plane?” Beth was as sheltered as Noelle.

“She’s got to start somewhere. I think I might need to set up a scholarship fund.” Rene glanced over at Quaid. “Hey, when Hank sues me for paying his daughter’s travel expenses, you can defend me. Now, why don’t you and Major go and grab that tray of sandwiches the housekeeper left for us? I think she left some sweets, too. She told me boys need fuel when they’re playing. Her sarcasm is sharpening with age.”

Armie started to push his chair back. “I’ll go.”

Rene held up a hand. “No, I’m sending them off because I’d like to have a chat with you and Remy.”

Major sent him a sympathetic look as he stood, but Quaid couldn’t seem to get out fast enough.

“Come on, friend. I happen to know where Rene stashes the cigars,” Quaid offered.

Rene shook his head. “I never should have shown him the humidor.”

“What do you need?” Remy asked once they had left. “Is the leg bothering you?”