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Gramps scans my face. “Look a little less enthused, huh?”
“Gramps…”
I weigh how to play this. Caleb’s going to be a tougher conversation for several reasons, but at least I can be honest with him about exactly how worried I am to leave Gramps alone. Telling that to my grandfather’s face is a whole other matter. Even if stubbornness isn’t hereditary, I most certainly inherited it from him.
“You’re going, Lennie.”
“And how are you going to take care of the farm by yourself?” I challenge.
“I’ll figure something out.”
I scoff. “That’s what youalwayssay. I’m not going to leave you here when I’m perfectly capable of helping out. RCC’s been fine for the past few years. One more won’t make any difference.”
“You belong at a school with more than one faculty member in the journalism department, Lennon,” Gramps informs me. “Where you couldn’t get A’s in your sleep.”
“I work hard for those A’s,” I reply, scowling.
Gramps smiles. “I know you do, darling. But you deserve to be at a college where everyone else in your classes are, too.”
I kind of regret telling him about the humorous anecdotes involving some slackers who attend Richardson Community College with me now.
“I’m happy at Richardson,” I insist.
“Then why did you apply to Clarkson?”
I look away from his knowing gaze. “You know why.”
“What did Caleb say?”
“I haven’t told him yet,” I admit. “That I got in, at least. I told him I applied. Honestly, I didn’t think there was a real chance I’d get in. They hardly ever accept senior year transfers.”
And that’sexactlywhy I applied. A gesture I wouldn’t have to follow through on. Except now, I could.
“Why haven’t you told him?”
I scoff. “Stop asking me questions you already know the answers to.”
“Because you know he’s going to be thrilled about it?”
I keep studying the peeling paint of the porch. “Plenty of couples make long distance work. We see each other when we can.”
“It’s been almost three years, Lennie.”
“I can’t believe you’re telling me to chase after a boy. Read a parenting book.”
Gramps laughs. “I’m telling you to chase your dreams. I know you love this farm, but there’s a lot more out in the world than just Landry. And there’s more to college than just classes, too. It’s a life experience you’re missing out on by driving three towns over twice a week to take a few classes.”
“You’re telling me to go to Clarkson, specifically. Not just a good college.”
“There’s a reason that’s the school you applied to, right?”
I look back over in time to catch his knowing smile. “He has a whole separate life there. Friends, teammates, classes. I don’t know how I’d fit in there.IfI’d fit in there.”
Gramps gives me a reassuring smile. “You will.”
“What if things don’t work out between us? What if I transfer and we break up? He’s going to get drafted next summer or end up at some fancy job like his dad. At least if I stay in Landry, I’ll have my life here to focus on. If I uproot everything for him, I’ll have nothing.”
“That boy doesn’t love a thing in this world anywhere near as much as he loves you, Lennie.”
