AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mimi stopped in front of the fridge and opened it, staring inside.
“Something I can help you find?”
“I thought there was some string cheese in here.” She frowned.
“I’ll find it.” I made my way over and spotted it in the door. “Grandpa must have eaten it last.”
“He never puts things where they belong,” Mimi grumbled, and I laughed.
“And yet, here you are with him, all these years later.”
Mimi chuckled and rolled away toward the table with the cheese in her hand.
“Okay, honey. Am I going to have to pry it out of you, or will you just tell your Mimi what’s wrong?”
I smiled at her and grabbed an iced tea from the fridge. “If I accept, I’ll be the new poet in residency somewhere in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and a little chuckle rang into the room. “Hot Dog! I knew you were good. When did you submit? How come you didn’t tell anyone?”
I took a sip of tea and raised my shoulders. “In case I didn’t get it. I just didn’t want anyone to know.”
She frowned. “You don’t want other people to be excited about your accomplishments?”
“If I didn’t get in, it wouldn’t be an accomplishment.”
“Of course it would. You were brave enough to submit, and honestly, if they didn’t choose your poetry, that’s not because you’re not good enough. It’s because they have questionable taste.”
“I love you, Mimi.”
“So, then, what’s the problem?” Her eyes stayed on mine as she opened up her cheese and took a seat.
“Well, I’d be gone for three months.”
“Wow. Three months.” She nodded. “That’s a fair chunk of time.”
“And I’ve just started dating Lucas…” My voice trailed off.
“So?” Mimi’s brows knitted together. “What’s the problem?”
I couldn’t believe I was talking to Mimi about this, but there was something about her reaction that compelled me to keep going.
“Well, you know…”
Her brows quirked up. “I don’t know.”
“He’s dated a lot of women, and we just started a relationship. What if this causes things to go south?”
“Darling, if three months apart is too much for him to handle, he’s not worth your time.” She let out a deep breath. “But if it means anything to you, I don’t see that as being a problem. You can see it in his eyes.”
“See what?”
“Complete and utter devotion.”
“You think so?” I asked.
Mimi beckoned me over with a gentle wave of her hand. “You deserve this and everything the world has to offer.”
I sat next to Mimi and let out a deep breath. “I’m just scared.”
