AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Two weeks… Cozumel and the Dominican Republic. Start and end in Galveston… Nine ports of call. Some days at sea, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, St Thomas, St. Lucia, St. Maarten… Sure, let's do it."
“You didn’t even check out the entire itinerary,” she protests.
“I don’t care. Look at that price! Booking last minute is so worth it!”
“Only crazy people book cruises last minute,” she murmurs.
I laugh. “Good thing we’re crazy then.”
“British Virgin Islands… Puerto Plata, and George Town in Grand Cayman,” she says. “You like all of that?”
“It sounds like… What’s this?” I ask as I realize there are a few browser tabs I hadn’t opened. I click on one and then gape at my mom.
It’s flights.
To Europe.
“Are you going—”
“I’m considering it,” she murmurs. “I don’t know. Maybe? You make a lot of good points—”
“Thank you.”
“But I still don’t like the idea of leaving you two here alone.”
“Neither of us will be alone. Kyle’s off at college with all of his friends—”
“And you’re going to Juniper College, which does sound like a lovely school, but, sweetheart… you don’t know anyone there.”
“A fresh start for you in Europe, and a fresh start for me at college. What’s not to like?” I ask.
“Yes, but you and Erika used to talk all the time about wanting to go to the same college,” she protests.
“I know. We did,” I admit, “but… she has a new life for herself in California. I will always love her dearly, and we’re still super close. Nothing will ever change that, but… she’s forging her new path, and that’s exactly what I have to do, and…” I knock my shoulder into hers. “That’s exactly what you have to do too.”
“I don’t know,” she murmurs. “It feels like running away, and your father… I just can’t stop being worried that if I’m out of reach, he’ll go after you or Kyle, and if I’m all the way in Europe, I won’t be able to help you.”
“How exactly would you help us?” I ask softly. “Mom, we’re all grown-ups here.”
She chuckles. “When you reach my age, you’ll understand that eighteen really isn’t old enough to be considered a grown-up.”
“Yet it’s old enough to join the military,” I say lightly.
“You aren’t going to join the military.”
“No, but you catch my drift.”
“It’s absurd that you can join the military but can’t drink…” She holds up a hand. “Not that I want you to start drinking.”
I whistle innocently.
Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t ask me point-blank if I’ve had alcohol before.
Spoiler alert: I have.
“Mom, you’ve done the best you could for me and Kyle. I’m telling you now that it’s time for you to turn around and do what’s best for you, okay?”
“I can’t just pretend that I don’t have any children,” she protests.
