Free Exception by Patty Maximini

footsteps.”
    Emily stared at him in bewilderment. He chuckled and shook his head. “She cried for weeks when I chose modern art and photography. It’s been almost ten years, and I think she still hasn’t forgiven me.”
    “You went to art school?” Emily asked. Her voice came out at a higher pitch than it should have, and her eyebrows shot up as she stared, unblinkingly, at him.
    He chuckled and nodded. “Are you surprised?”
    “Well yeah, the whole leather boots and beat-up denim doesn’t really scream art major,” she teased him. “Your brother looks more the part with the scarf, hat and trendy shoes.”
    Taylor laughed at her description of Gabe. “We get that a lot. People always think he’s the art specialist Mom talks so much about, and that I’m the engineer.”
    “I can see why.” She laughed with him “Where did you study?”
    The tables turned and it was his time to look a little uncomfortable. Even though he was extremely proud of his education, as he should be, that subject always led to conversations of things he was less than comfortable with. However, he wanted her to trust him, and if opening up would help his case he would do it. “I went to Harvard for my BA and then Cambridge for my MA and PhD.”
    Emily found it weird that he sounded almost embarrassed when he spoke of his degrees. His curriculum was beyond impressive; most people in his position would be gloating about it, instead of speaking of it in hushed tones. “Oh, come on, after that combo your mother must have forgiven you.”
    “Not really.” He chuckled in response. “I think it got worse.”
    Still laughing, they picked up their speed. They didn’t talk much during the hour they spent running, both paying attention to their breathing. They kept pace, and every once in a while they would look at each other, and smile. It was a very pleasurable, companionable silence.
    When they slowed down to a walk again and moved towards the parking lot, Emily realized that she hadn’t enjoyed a run this much in a very long time.
    They talked about the park; she told him about all the different trails, and about the time she made Zack and Jody hike up to the East Rock Summit with her.
    The closer they got to the car, the more anxious Taylor became. Like the night before, he was enjoying his time with Emily too much and didn’t want to have to say goodbye to her just yet. His mind was working on every possible way to extend their time together.
    “When are you going back to New York?” Emily’s voice interrupted his plotting.
    Taylor saw that she was fidgeting with her keys in the same manner she had the night before when he’d walked her to her door, before she invited him to join her for a run. He wondered if that was something she did when she was working something out in her mind. “I’ll be heading back tonight. Mom and Dad are arriving in New York tomorrow morning, and we’re going away tomorrow night.”
    “Where are you going?”
    “China.” His answer came with the same hesitance he used when telling her about his education.
    It was obvious that his family had money. Trips across the globe and the best schools in the world were honest indications of that, yet his hesitation made it seem like he wanted to hide the fact.
    Being a very private person herself, Emily smiled at him with understanding. “I’ve always wanted to see the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors.”
    “Oh no . . . did I just made you jealous for the third time today?” he teased, glad that her response had been light and not prying.
    Her answer was an exaggerated head bob followed by a long line of giggles.
    “Damn. See if this helps? I’m going to spend almost a full day sitting on a plane with my brawling siblings bitching right next to me.”
    Emily’s giggles turned into a full-out roll of laughter. “It did help a little. And may I ask what they’ll be brawling and bitching about?”
    “Oh, where to start?” He rolled his eyes as