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I try not to take it personally but I won’t live in the margins any longer. We’ve reached a critical moment and I have to figure out what’s best for me. My stomach lurches and my heart seizes with possibilities and outcomes. I push it down because there’s a party planned at the rec center for us all to celebrate. It’s as much their accomplishment as mine.

The music is kicking up. I thought, somehow, he’d surprise me. I thought he’d call. I don’t know what his fucking cryptic text was about. He hasn’t answered me. I should call Lill. But I can’t do one more second of missing out on each other’s lives. I don’t want to build mine one more second without him. This shit sucks.

My mom walks over; she’s been up and down and all around. The two of them are now planning to travel. They’re going to Branson, Missouri. Not Paris, but it’s a start.

I sip my warm punch and smile. I’ve been hugged and back slapped. I gave a speech thanking Dr. Parry and Barton for all their help. I’m going to keep my job through the summer and look for something else in Reno when I get there. I don’t actually know what’s happening with Tony. My mind plays that super fun game of, ‘Is he over me or is he lost?’

My mom sits and says, “All of my buttons are busted. I’m so proud of you.”

“Now that I’ve accomplished something,” I joke, and my father takes my hand.

“None of that now. We’ve always been proud of the person you are. Not all the behavior at times, but you’ve always been so confident, strong, kind, and smart. There’s nothing more we could want from a daughter. Except maybe for her to get the hell out of our house. You made this happen.”

“I did.” I grin and laugh.

My father sits down with us. “Leech, you’ve outdone yourself.”

“That’s a real compliment from a Slug.”

“Daughter, I’m not proud you’re going to be a doctor. I’m proud you figured it out. It took your mom and me a while, but you’re going to be better off. And you did it all while pushing our slug asses to treat ourselves better too. That’s our whole job in a nutshell. That our kids do better than we did. Thank you for pulling your head out of your ass and for helping us with way too much. You’re almost perfect, there’s just one last thing. A parenting push if you will.” My father raises an eyebrow.

He slides me an envelope. “You’ve always gotten everything you’ve wanted and truly went after. We knew you took the church’s money, and we also watched you not only pay it back but continue on helping out where you could. All so you could see Paris.”

I grin. Tears pop into my eyes. Tony.

I take the envelope, and my mom says, “Stop waiting for the rest of this to take care of itself. You’ve never backed down from a challenge. Go.”

I rip open the envelope and pull out a plane ticket to Boston.

“Honey, go set him straight. Go fight whatever’s been keeping him away.”

“A digital ticket is easier.”

“Yes, but it wouldn’t have had the same impact.” My mom winks at me, and the tears flood down my face.

“I don’t even know what to do.”

“You won’t know if you don’t try. We’re tired of your mopey ass. We haven’t been the most active parents, but I will kick your ass if you don’t go get in a car right now. Honey, you’re the strongest person I’ve ever known, a fighter, go fight for the life you deserve.”

I bite my cheek to stop myself from crying and shake my head to look at them. “This is a lot of money for you guys. Thank you.”

Everyone is staring at us. Chelle pulls me to stand. “Go get our man.” I smile.

Then I look at the rest of the envelope, and there’s a check for $12,415. I scan the room and realize what’s happening.

“You all can’t do this.” I burst out in tears.

Barton smiles and says, “Each of us gave what we could. We know your scholarship doesn’t cover living expenses and we hope this will help. At least get a decent car.”

“I can’t take this.”

Dottie says, “You can. We’re so proud of how hard you’ve worked. If you’re hellbent on not spending that cutie patootie’s money, then spend ours.” I hold it to my chest and wipe my tears and smile wider than I think is possible. Their kids are going to kill me.

My father whispers, “Plane boards in an hour. Get a move on, Leech. Go give ’em hell.”

I throw my arms around my parents. “Thank you. You’re the best slugs ever.”

He texted he didn’t know how to save me. Maybe I was always meant to save him.