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“I learned so much about life and food and culture and music. I learned more than I ever would have in a classroom. That much is for certain. I picked up on languages and learned traditions. I became a connoisseur of wine and fashion.”
“Sounds like you.”
She smiled. “All this to say, if Rae wants to travel, she should jump on it now.”
“Well, maybe she will.”
“And you should go with her.”
My eyes narrowed. “What?”
“I’m serious, Clint. There’s no time like now. And as you get older, it gets harder to do things like that. You get trapped into things like leases and mortgages and car payments and kids.”
I snickered. “No offense, right?”
She winked. “Never.”
I shook my head. “I mean, it sounds nice. But I don’t think she’d want me to.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I’m holding her back.”
Ma rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Don’t be so dramatic. That’s her job.”
I chuckled. “What?”
“Clint, the two of you do nothing but build each other up. I mean, look at what you did for her this weekend. Despite how much she chewed into you because she was loaded with all sorts of nonsense at that party, you still managed to help her. And when you broke up with her? Completely pushed her away? What did she do?”
I grinned. “She kept making sure I was okay.”
“And kept up with your homework. And your tests. And encouraging you. It’s what you two do for one another. That’s what couples should do for one another.”
I shrugged. “I don't know, Ma.”
“And look at it this way. Even after you were punched in the gut by some random guy at this same party, you were still prioritizing her in your efforts. If that’s not true love, then true love doesn’t really exist.”
“Maybe. But I still wouldn't be able to come up with that kind of money. Traveling takes a lot nowadays. And I screwed up big time. I don’t have any qualifications. The money I set aside from selling those--”
Ma took my hand and squeezed it tight. She urged me to look at her as she tugged at my arm. I leaned back in my chair, completely forgetting about my lukewarm mug of coffee. And as she stared directly into my eyes, she snickered.
“First of all, you owe me nothing.”
I groaned. “You need help here.”
She shook her head. “Not as much help as you think I do.”
“What do you mean?”
She smiled. “I got a raise over the weekend.”
“What?”
“Yeah. A raise. From my part-time work. I mean, it’s not a lot. But it’s enough to take the phone bill off your shoulders every month. And after doing away with cable and going directly to streaming services, I’m trimming down the budget. With a couple more moves, I’ll be able to completely take the bills off your shoulders.”
I blinked. “But, what about your--?”
“I’m a grown woman, Clint. I know how to make a budget and stick to it. I know how to set money aside and find ways not to touch it if that money can’t be touched.”
