Page 114 of Bless My Body

took the time to listen to her.

Honestly, besides Stella and Ezra, my mom is my biggest sounding board these days. Instead of

dreading our calls, I actually look forward to them.

“I miss you guys, too,” I say, giving them a small smile. “Actually, I think I may have figured out

what I want to do after college.”

“Really?” Mom’s eyebrows raise in question. The last time I talked to her, I was still unsure what

I wanted.

“Yeah. Last weekend, I went to a party with Ezra for his Dad, and I met their event coordinator.

She was super nice and talked to me for a few minutes. I don’t know much about it, but I love events

and parties, and I think it’s something I could be good at.” I pause to look at their faces. “What do you

think?”

I used to not care for my parents’ opinions on my decisions, but as I sit here in their silence, I

realize that I care more than I thought I would. They’re quiet for so long I feel like I’m starting to

sweat.

I take a sip of my water to give myself something to do besides stare at them.

Finally, Mom nods her head. “You know, I’ve never thought about that before, but I think it would

be a great job for you. You’ll have a communications degree, and you love talking to people. If that’s

what you want to do, I think you should try it.” She has the biggest smile on her face, and I exhale with

relief.

I look over to Dad. “Baby girl, you can do anything you put your mind to. If you want to plan

parties, then you go out there and plan the best damn parties anyone has ever been to.”

I laugh. “Thanks, Dad.”

As we finish dinner, they catch me up on the goings-on in town. The neighbors across the street

got in a fight about the appropriate fence height for a suburban area. The zoning board denied a

proposal for a big chain hotel so business wouldn’t be taken away from the bed and breakfasts in the

area. Two people I went to high school with recently got engaged, which makes sense because they

were Prom King and Queen, and that’s just how it works around here.

None of it really surprises me because nothing surprising ever happens in this place. Hence why I

had to get out of here before I lost my freaking mind.

After dinner, the dishes get loaded in the dishwasher, and the counters are wiped down. Mom