how to accept this new reality
because it means thatI’m also
changingthat I’ll have to
reimagine who I am
move forwardinto
a new version of myself.
I don’t know anything,
I say.
Oh, Junie,
Mom says, coming over to give me a hug.
Neither do we.
Every day, we
do the best we can
make mistakes
and start over.
That’s life. That’s being an adult.
It never gets easier.
Well, what if this is a mistake?
I try one more time.
What if we don’t need to change anything?
Look, I can forget my whole road trip.
I’ll try going to college like you want
and you two can do couples therapy again
and nobody has to leave.
Mom cups my face in her hands.
That won’t work, my love.
Whatever choice you make
about next year
college or a gap year
Mama and I are moving on.
