“You think you’d want to pursue a higher degree in it?” he asks.

I tilt my head back.

That’s what I used to want to do.

I got my entry-level job to save up some money and pursue a graduate degree but I never got around to it.

Hmm, that’s an idea.

Maybe not a bad one at all.

“What about you?” I ask.

“I have no fucking clue,” Owen says after a long pause. “I used to think about all of these things I wanted to do when I was in prison but with a record like mine, there was no way I would ever get hired in any of those fields.”

“Well, maybe that’s what’s really good about what we did. You’re someone else now. New name. No record.”

“No degree,” Owen points out.

“Actually…you’re right,” I say, raising my eyebrows.

He narrows his eyes trying to read mine.

“Okay, hear me out,” I say. “We have money. You have a new name and identity. So, why not enroll in some classes? Why not get a bachelor’s degree under your new name?”

“Whaaaat?” Owen says, laughing.

“It’s not as ridiculous as it sounds,” I say. “I mean, you can study whatever you want and you’ll have about four years to figure things out. Besides, then you’ll have an actual degree that you’ve earned.”

Owen gets up abruptly and walks over to the kitchen counter.

I wait for him to come back but he doesn’t.

After a few moments, I follow him.

His shoulders are tense and moving up and down as he inhales deeply.

I watch for a little bit until I realize what’s going on.

He’s…crying.

“Owen, are you…” I put my hand on his shoulder.

He turns away from me trying to hide his tears.

“It’s okay,” I whisper. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

I wrap my arms around his shoulders and hold him until he stops sobbing.

“I’m sorry about that,” he says, pulling away from me. “I’m such a fool.”

“No, you’re not. But what’s going on?”

“I’ve always wanted to go to college. While I was locked up, that’s all I ever thought about. But then I know how much tuition is here and it’s not even at the most affordable schools. So I could never justify it.”

I shake my head, not understanding what he means.

“Well, what was the point of wasting all of that money on school if I could never use that degree in real life? It was going to be a waste. With my record, I’d never get any job with real prospects. What company would hire me?”

“But that’s the thing then, right?” I say, smiling out the corner of my lips.