Narrowing my eyes I searched his face. “No, it was from UNLV’s law school.”
“Are you in legal trouble?”
“No, I applied, and the email has a link that will determine my future.” I was serious about needing a change. In the past few months, I’d submitted applications to several law schools. William S. Boyd was my top choice because it was local. After college, law school was my next step. Aldridge was on board with me attending law school at the University of Missouri. It wasn’t my top pick, but it would allow us to remain together. We had it all planned out. We’d even been toMissouri apartment hunting. Our breakup stalled all those plans.
I’d already committed to Mizzou’s school of law and had to deploy plan B with zero preparation. I ended up moving to Chicago to attend law school. The first semester was tougher than I’d anticipated and when my grandmother passed, I used that as my excuse to leave, claiming I needed to be closer to family. It was just supposed to be a year hiatus and then I’d apply to schools closer to Las Vegas. During that time, I got my realtors license and started making really good money. Then a year turned into two and the rest is history.
“Why would they reject you? You’re Danessa Fucking Irwin an icon, a legend, a fashionista.”
“I should have put that on my application. I’m Danessa Irwin. If you don’t know, you better ask somebody.”
“I’m just saying you had one of the highest GPAs in our graduating class.”
“It’s been five years.”
“Doesn’t change the fact you were top of your class and are currently a successful business owner. Those are all positive desirable qualities. You’re working yourself up over an email you haven’t even opened.”
“Yes, because William S. Boyd is the only law school in Vegas. And if I don’t get in, I’d be forced to look outside of the state and that comes with a host of other problems.”
“What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
“I don’t get into Boyd. I spiral into a deep depression. I stop showering and start to lose my hair. I become a social recluse whose only friends are a trio of birds who hang out on my balcony. Even though they are only there because I feed them nuts. And then?—”
“Oh, there’s more.” His eyebrows climbed his forehead.
“Then my condo gets foreclosed on because I haven’t been working and now me and the birds are out on the street. I’m atwenty something single mother to three wild birds. Who’s going to take care of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore,” I yelled.
“Maybe you could put them up for adoption?”
“I’m all they have in the world.” How could he seriously suggest I abandon them.
“How about we just rip off the Band-Aid. Obviously, I’m not going to let you go unhoused.”
This conversation wasn’t about him solving my problems. I had a sizable savings and if I was ever in a jam, I wouldn’t ask my ex to bail me out. “It’s not up to you. It’s up to Wells Fucking Fargo.”
“Danessa, I’m going to hold your hand when I say this. You are deeply troubled.” I snatched my hand and swatted him away. “Let’s just look and if it’s a rejection I’ll read Boyd Law for filth and if it’s good news I tell you how amazing and dumb you are to ever think it would be any other result.”
I clutched at my midsection. “My stomach hurts.”
“Well this is a million-dollar home so you can’t shit here.”
I sputtered out a laugh. Aldridge was probably right. I’d received this email hours ago and was too chicken shit to open it, instead allowing myself to obsess over the possibilities and ruin my day. If I didn’t get in it wasn’t the end. It may feel like a chapter closing but there were other avenues I could pursue. But not getting in would be a resounding confirmation I wasn’t good enough and perhaps this was all there was.
“Okay let’s just do it.” Pulling my phone from my purse, I located the email. Aldridge stood next to me intently focused on the screen. When I tapped on the email link I was directed to Boyd’s admissions website and had to provide my name and the last four of my social. Pressing enter, a new window popped up and I read the message aloud, “We are happy to inform you that you have been accepted into William S. Boyd School of Law starting winter of next year.” The phone dropped from my handas I squealed. “I got in. I got in!” This moment felt momentous and waving my hands wasn’t enough. I jumped into Aldridge’s arms wrapping my legs around his waist. His huge hand rubbed my back as he spun us around.
“Congratulations. I never had any doubt.”
I loosened my grip and landed with my feet back on the floor. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“I believe in you because you’re always a sure thing.”
Swallowing hard, the reality of the moment hit me like a ton of bricks. “I think I’m going to throw up.”
“No, we’re not doing that. Today is about celebration. Tomorrow you can spiral into a new hypothetical doomsday scenario about your major, class size, and preferred professors but today we celebrate.”
“You’re right. It’s time to pop bottles, blow up balloons …” My face lit up. “Or get a cake. I could definitely eat an entire sheet cake.”
“So let’s go celebrate. Let’s make the rest of the day all about you.”
