Disclaimer: The characters still aren't mine, and they still won't be unless KA Appelgate comes to her senses and donates them to me. J Just so you know, I have no clue whether or not UCLA has a school of vet medicine. I just picked a University and stuck in a school of veterinary medicine for purposes of this story. I also have no idea whether there's really a Pasadena State University, so if there isn't, sorry.

 

Chapter 4: The Problem

 

"Yes!"

 

Jake came running into the small living room at the sound of his wife's shout. "What? What is it?" he asked hurriedly.

 

Cassie read aloud from her mail. "Dear Mrs. Mackenzie, We are happy to inform you that you have been accepted into the University of California in Los Angeles School of Veterinary Medicine for this fall term. Enclosed you will find directions to our campus, blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda, Congratulations on your acceptance and we look forward to the furthering of your education." She looked up at her husband with bright eyes. "I can't believe it! They actually accepted me!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms in a bear hug.

 

Jake laughed and picked Cassie up, twirling her around. "I knew you'd get in! That's great!" he congratulated her.

 

Cassie frowned and sat down on the couch. Jake sat next to her.

 

"What's wrong?" he asked.

 

Cassie looked up at her husband. "The only problem is that it's in California and you're getting your Masters at NYU at the same exact time," she said unhappily.

 

Jake looked at Cassie's acceptance letter then back at Cassie. "Was the UCLA School of Vet Medicine the only graduate school you applied to?" At Cassie's nod, he continued. "Well, I also applied to Pasadena State, and maybe I'll get accepted there."

 

Cassie sifted through the rest of their mail and picked up the envelope she was looking for. "I certainly hope so, because if this isn't an acceptance letter, then I don't know what we're gonna do," she said, holding up an envelope with the Pasadena State University logo on the upper left-hand corner.

 

Jake took the letter out of her hands and opened it. Reading the first few lines silently, he closed his eyes sighed.

 

Cassie looked at her husband with worried eyes. "Well?" she asked.

 

Jake read the first few sentences. "Dear Mr. Mackenzie, We regret to inform you that you have not been accepted to the Pasadena State University Graduate School. We're very sorry and hope that you have been accepted into other graduate programs to obtain your teacher's certificate. Good luck with your education." He looked up into Cassie's eyes. "I don't know what we're gonna do," he whispered.