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“I wanted to tell her more, but I wanted to talk to you first. You’d have to move, and I wasn’t sure if you’d be okay with that.” She pauses. “Being separated from Easton.”
I turn back to Penelope. “I thought that’s what you wanted. Easton said you didn’t want us being together.”
“In the past, no, but….” She looks down, then back up at me. “I’m not sure that was the right decision. You two clearly share a bond, and separating you two, especially during such a difficult time, probably wasn’t the best thing to do.”
“But you’d be doing it again if you sent me to live with that lady.”
“It’d only be temporary. When you’ve finished school and saved up some money, you could go wherever you’d like.” She walks over to me. “I asked her because I know her and trust that she would give you a good home, at least during the time that you’re there.”
“But she didn’t agree to it.”
“No, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t. She would need some time to think about it, and she’d want to meet you, of course.”
If I did this, I’d have to leave. I’d have to move away. It’s what I’d planned to do, but not this soon. I wasn’t even sure if I’d really do it. Now that it’s a possibility, I’m getting this sick feeling in my stomach. It’s either fear or dread or both, and it’s less about going to a new place and new home, and more about leaving Easton. His mom is right. I’m bonded to Easton in a way few people could understand, and that bond has only become stronger since he’s come back into my life. I keep saying I need to leave him and move on with my life, but I can’t imagine actually doing it. He’s a part of me. Leaving him would be leaving a part of myself behind.
“You can think about it,” Penelope says. “What about school? Would you at least consider going back?”
I woke up in the night thinking about this, thinking I should go back. But I didn’t know how I could if I was living out of Ted’s car and having to work multiple jobs.
“I can’t go back without a place to live,” I say. “It won’t work.”
“But if you had a place to stay, you’d do it? You’d go back?”
“Probably.”
She lets out a sigh as she sits down at the kitchen table. “I’ll talk to him, see if he’d agree to it.”
“Talk to who?” I ask, sitting across from her.
“Stephen. My husband. I might be able to talk him into letting you stay a few weeks, which would be long enough for us to find you somewhere else to go. And if we couldn’t, I could maybe rent an apartment and let you stay there.”
I stare at her. “You’d really do that?”
“I would if you agreed to finish school and get your diploma.”
“I… I don’t understand,” I stutter, trying to make sense of this. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I don’t want you quitting. You need that diploma. It’s very difficult to survive in this world without a basic education. Most jobs will require a high school diploma.”
“But why do you care? You just met me. And just a few weeks ago, you didn’t want Easton to even talk to me.”
She looks down. “Sometimes people assume things they shouldn’t. Not everything turns out like you think it will.” Her gaze returns to mine. “You’re a bright young woman. Strong. Capable. Independent. You could do a lot with your life, but not if people don’t give you a chance.”
“And you’re saying without a diploma, they won’t?”
“I’m saying you’ll be limited in what jobs you can take, or what you’ll be offered. You’ll be stuck doing something you don’t want to do.”
My mind goes to Vince and the job he offered me. Even if I was desperate, I’d never do that. I’d never take that job. But what if she’s right and I’m stuck doing a job I hate because I didn’t finish high school? I don’t want to be cleaning up dirty dishes at a diner when I’m 40 years old.
“When would you know?” I ask.
“Know what?”
“If your husband will let me stay.”
“I’ll talk to him when he’s back from his trip. This isn’t something I want to bring up over the phone.”
“So you won’t know until this weekend.”
