so stupid? He must know about Alex and the proof. Alex always swore I was the only one he ever told, he made me swear not to tell anyone, especially not Geoff. He convinced me he was paranoid about his work being stolen. I took him at his word and now it’s too late. I’ve made it official that I’m a thief and a fraud. I open my mouth to say something, formulate an apology, say there was a mistake and I always meant to submit it in his name when Geoff bursts out laughing.
“What?” I ask, blinking.
“We should be celebrating! There should be champagne!” He calls June and asks her to get everyone in here immediately, and to bring champagne and glasses. Yes, right now, he says. Yes, I know it’s not even lunchtime, he says. Then he gets up and comes round and gives me a big hug. Suddenly everyone is here and everyone is hugging me, even Mila, and everyone is poking and pulling at me and they want to know why I never said anything and how I did it and I’m laughing because they’re all talking over each other and if I’d known there’d be such a fuss I would have fixed my make-up. But I am so happy I could burst. I am happier than I’ve been in years, and this is just the beginning. And I tell them I’ll be right back and with my glass of champagne in my hand I return to my office and close the door and call Luis.
I did it, I say. Did what? he asks, and I can hear a smile in his voice. I drop mine to a whisper, like this is too special to be said out loud. It’s a surprise, I say. But remember last year, all those nights I worked late, and this year, too? Of course he remembers. Well, I didn’t want to say anything, but I was working on an incredibly important project. I solved a major math problem. There’s going to be a prize. Half a million dollars, Luis! And it’s going to be published in the most prestigious journal in the country. Do you love me now? I almost add.
Then June comes in holding her own glass and the bottle of champagne. “Come on, you. We’re all waiting for you.”
“I have to go,” I say to Luis.
“No, wait! This is wonderful news, Anna. I’m so proud of you, babe. You should have told me!”
“I couldn’t tell you. I didn’t want to jinx it.”
“Well, I think you’re incredible.”
“Thank you, darling.”
“Let’s go out and celebrate—you, me and the kids,” he says quickly. Then he drops his voice to a suggestive whisper. “Or maybe just you and me, what do you say?”
I laugh. “No, bring the kids. I’d like that.”
“I’ll make a reservation at the Confit d’Oie.”
“Oh, yes! Do that! I’ve been dreaming of that place!”
He laughs. June has refilled my glass and I tell Luis I really should go.
“I love you, babe. I’m so proud of you,” he says, and my heart runneth over.
June clinks her glass with mine and takes my arm as we walk back to Geoff’s office. “Congratulations, Anna. I don’t understand what any of this means, but I’m really happy for you.”
“Oh, thank you, June.”
Back in Geoff’s office, he immediately elbows June out of the way, puts one arm around my shoulders and squeezes. “Let’s get drunk after work, you and me. What do you say?”
“I can’t—”
“Oh, come on. Sure you can.”
“Luis is taking me and the children out to celebrate.”
“How lovely. Where is he taking you?” June asks.
I move to extricate myself from Geoff’s grip. “We’re going to that new French restaurant over on Fulton Road.”
“Oooh, very chic,” she says.
“Yeah, very chick,” Geoff quips. “I was thinking the sports bar across the road. June, you want to join me? Since we’re not good enough anymore?”
She rolls her eyes at me. “I don’t think so, Geoff.”
“Another time, then. Meanwhile let’s have a toast. To Anna!”
I leave at the end of the afternoon with a feeling of having reached the pinnacle of happiness. I savor every second as I walk out onto the street because I want to remember it all. I want to relive it any time I like. I want to be able to say, Remember the day I won the Pentti-Stone? It was in the fall and the tupelos had turned bright red and the air had that smell of wet leaves, remember?