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I smiled, my heart swelling with love and admiration for this incredible woman sitting beside me. “Dee, you deserve to have your dreams realized,” I said softly. “You’ve been there for Lily and me, nurturing our family and giving us so much love. It’s time for us to give back to you.”
As we pulled into the parking lot of UMass, Dee wiped away her tears, a newfound determination shining in her eyes. We walked hand in hand toward the building, our steps filled with purpose and hope. Inside, Dee picked up the application to get into the spring semester, clutching it tightly in her hands.
“Ramsey, thank you,” she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. “Thank you for believing in me and for supporting me. I don’t know if I’ll actually get in, but I’ll try.”
I pulled her into a tight embrace, feeling a profound sense of joy and fulfillment. “Dee, I believe in you with all my heart,” I whispered back. “I want to see you succeed and be the incredible teacher I know you can be. Even if this thing we have doesn’t last, I still want you to have this. It’s something you wanted, and I want to help you get it. You deserve a shot. You’ve gotten the short end of the stick all your life. You deserve this.”
As we drove back home, a sense of excitement and possibility filled the air. Dee’s dream was within reach. “This is crazy,” she said. “I’m not college material.”
“Yes, you are. You’re smart. You’re great with kids. If you don’t want to go for the full four-year degree, go for the associate’s. You can work as a teacher’s assistant and see if you really want to spend your days surrounded by bratty kids all day. I personally think you’re crazy, but if that’s your thing, I’m going to support you.”
She laughed. I loved the sound of her laughter, and I loved the way her eyes sparkled with hope and determination. I knew Dee was going to make it. She had the grit, the passion, and the drive to succeed.
“If I fail, I’m going to blame you,” she joked. “I’ll feel miserable, and it will be your fault.”
“You’re not going to fail,” I said. “I don’t think you know how to fail. You have this innate desire to succeed. You have overcome so many obstacles in your life, you don’t consider failure to be an option.” Dee smiled at me and reached over to take my hand. I felt a jolt of electricity rush through my body at her touch. “Thank you for believing in me,” she said softly. “I don’t think I could do this without you.”
“You don’t have to do it alone,” I replied. “I’ll be there every step of the way. We’ll figure it out together. I’ll be your study buddy.”
She burst into laughter again. “I have a feeling that might end up being a bad idea. It’s like the study buddies in high school. There would be no studying and lots of hanky-panky.”
“Hell, if that’s an option, sign me up.” I grinned.
“Promise you won’t be disappointed in me if I don’t get in?” she asked. “I’ve never done the college thing. When I was in high school, I did take a few classes that counted as college credit, but I don’t know if they really counted. I wouldn’t know how to use those credits.”
I squeezed Dee’s hand reassuringly. “I promise I won’t be disappointed in you. Getting into college is a tough process, but it doesn’t define your worth. You are so much more than a college acceptance letter. And besides, there are so many options out there for you. Traditional college isn’t the only path to success.”
Dee nodded, her eyes filling with gratitude and relief. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
We sat in silence for a few moments, lost in our own thoughts. I couldn’t help but think about how much Dee had changed since we first met at the diner. She was waiting tables, worried that was her future for the rest of her days. But now, she had a goal, a dream to pursue. And I was determined to help her achieve it.
“I have an idea,” I said suddenly, breaking the silence. “Why don’t we make a list of all the different options available to you? We can research each one and figure out which one suits you best.”
Dee’s face lit up. “That’s a great idea! Let’s do it!”
We spent the rest of the evening compiling a list of different paths Dee could take. We included traditional college, community college, trade school, apprenticeships, and online courses. Dee was amazed at the variety of options available to her. She wanted to be a teacher, but there were plenty of other careers that would put her in a classroom. Even if she wasn’t accepted, there were options. She could do some community college and reapply. I was going to keep encouraging her to try. I would be her biggest cheerleader.
ChapterThirty
Deanna
Isat cross-legged on the floor, a paintbrush in my hand as Lily and I worked on our latest masterpiece. We were trying to paint a version of a Van Gogh. I saw it at a wine and paint party and thought it would be fun to do it with Lily. We made virgin spritzers and had music playing in the background. Ramsey had been out of town for a couple of days. Lily and I were leaning in to our girl time. I was having an absolute blast getting to be the mother figure in her life. It was a chance to show her what a mom was like. Ramsey told me she never got the chance to know her mother after she was dumped off. I was happy to step into the role.
“Yours is so pretty,” I told her, leaning over to check her progress. Splashes of color adorned the canvas, reflecting the vibrant energy that filled the room. Lily and I transformed the small room next to the garage into a little craft studio. It had become our little sanctuary, a place where creativity flowed freely and joy blossomed.
The sound of the front door opening pulled me out of my artistic trance. “Dad’s home,” I said to Lily.
We got up and walked down the hallway. Ramsey walked in with a wide smile etched across his face. In his hands, he carried a thick envelope.
“You’re home,” I declared.
“We were painting,” Lily told him and gave him a warm hug.
I stepped into his arms next, giving him a tender kiss. “I missed you.”
“I missed you,” he said in a husky voice that said he was missing more than my winning smile.
I flashed him a seductive smile. “Good.”
