“Yep,” he said without taking his eyes off the screen. My little brother used to get ridiculously excited about the mail. He used to get excited about a lot of things. I shot my mother a dagger glare.
I’ll never forgive her. Never.
I went to the mailbox. Amid envelopes stamped with scary things likeopen nowandurgentandfinal notice,there was a thick manila envelope from NYU.
“Holy shit.”
I brought it all inside on shaking legs. At the kitchen counter, I opened the envelope. Inside was a brochure and some paperwork, but on top was a letter with NYU letterhead.
Dear Ms. Bennett,
It is our greatest pleasure to inform you…
The letter fell out of my hand, and I gripped the counter. Tears blurred my vision, and joy ballooned in my heart. It wasn’t MIT, my first choice, but NYU was a world-class school, and they wanted me. Me.
I have a home…
“Harper?” Dash asked. “Are you okay?”
“Fine, buddy. Got some good news, actually.”
“What is it?”
“I got into college. In New York.”
Dash’s face fell. “You’re going to move to New York?”
My mother stirred and sat up. “Who’s moving to New York?”
“Harper,” Dash said, crying now.
“Well, wait,” I said, my elation deflating. “I just got accepted. I don’t know…”
“Isn’t that nice for you,” Mom said, smiling thinly. “WithOrion? Is he going to buy a penthouse in the Upper East Side for the two of you while we lose our house?”
“Wow, okay,” I said, letting the letter fall to the counter. “I guess acongratulationsis too much to ask for. And I don’t know what Orion is doing after graduation, now that you mention it.”
Now thatImention it. Out loud. For the first time.
Tears sprang to my eyes.
“But thank youso muchfor taking this happy moment and completely fucking it all up.” I snatched the letter and waved it. “This is what we came here for. So I could get into a good college. Which I did, no thanks to you. And if you’re so goddamned concerned about this house, then get off your ass and get a job.”
“How dare you—”
“Come here, Dash,” I said, holding out my hand. “We’re going to Mrs. A’s.”
He nodded, sniffling. I came around the counter, into the living room, with the rest of the mail.
“A really smart man once told me that lack of love is one reason people drink,” I said, standing over my mother, my voice trembling. “Well, here we are. Your love.” I slammed the unpaid bills and notices into her lap. “But if you keep going, this is all you’re going to have instead.”
And then I walked out.
***
I spent the rest of the week concentrating on school and taking care of Dash. Mom and I rarely spoke, though I noticed she was taking more shifts and going to more AA meetings. But if she wanted a kudos, she’d have to do more than that.
I didn’t spend time with Orion either, or even share my news about NYU. Texting him about it didn’t feel right, and the only time we saw each other in person was in class, where he was strangely distant after our beautiful Nocturne date. I told myself it was because we were both busy with the NoSci, and he had the upcoming regatta and a party he was throwing at Atlas Hall right after.
