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"Exactly. I worried myself sick, but once that chopper dropped us off, I flew down the mountain and couldnt wait to go again. Thats how this feels. Im flying down the mountain again. "
"Wow. "
"I know. I cant wait to give her this stuff. Shes going to be so excited. "
"Im proud of you, Ange. "
There it was: the reason shed called him, though she hadnt realized it until just this second.
"Well celebrate tomorrow night. "
"Ill hold you to that. "
She was smiling when she hung up. An old Billy Joel song came on the radio. "Its Still Rock & Roll to Me. " She cranked up the volume and sang along. By the time she drove into West End and turned onto the beach road, she was singing as loud as she could and thumping the steering wheel in time to the music.
She felt like a kid again, driving home from a football game after a home team win.
She parked close to the house, grabbed her purse, and ran inside.
"Lauren!"
The house was quiet. A fire crackled in the hearth.
There was a pause that seemed to last forever, then a rustle of sound. "Were here. "
Lauren sat up on the sofa. Her pale cheeks glistened with tears. Her eyes were swollen and red. David was beside her, holding her hand. He looked as if hed been crying, too.
Angie felt a stab of fear. She knew about crying in the middle of a pregnancy. "What is it?"
"David and I have been talking. "
"The baby is okay?"
"Fine. Perfect. "
Angie felt a flood of relief. Shed overreacted, as usual. "Oh. Well, Ill let you two keep talking. " She started toward the stairs.
"Wait," Lauren called out, getting awkwardly to her feet. She grabbed a piece of paper from the coffee table and handed it to Angie.
David immediately moved in close to Lauren, put an arm around her.
Angie looked down at the letter in her hands.
Dear Ms. Ribido: We are pleased to offer you admission to the University of Southern California . . . undergraduate . . . full scholarship for tuition and housing . . . respond by June 1 . . .
"I knew you could do it," Angie said gently. She wanted to throw her arms around Lauren and twirl her around, laughing, but that kind of enthusiasm was for ordinary girls in ordinary times. This was anything but.
"I didnt think Id get in. "
Angie had never heard that sad edge in Laurens voice before. It was heartbreaking. Of all the trials Lauren had faced this year, this--the attainment of her dream--had perhaps hurt the most of all. Now a decision would have to be made, and all of them knew it. "Im proud of you. "
"This changes things," Lauren said so softly that Angie found herself leaning forward to hear.
Angie ached to hug her, but David was there, holding Laurens hand. "Its not impossible to go to college with a baby. "
"A two-month-old?" Laurens voice sounded old and far away. It echoed and faded, as if she were throwing the ugly words down a well.
Angie closed her eyes. Any answer to that would be a lie. Angie knew already what Lauren was sure to discover: day cares that took two-month-olds were rare. And certainly expensive. She rubbed the bridge of her nose, sighing softly. This was like being on a sinking ship. She could feel the water rising. "Thats a problem," she said at last. There was no point lying. "But youre a strong, smart girl--"
