Page 119 of Ours

“I know, Mom.” Cory blushed at the praise.

“No, really.” Julia’s voice grew more somber. “Things haven’t always been easy for us. For so long, it’s just been the two of us. We’ve had to work hard…You’vehad to work hard to get here. And I just couldn’t be prouder to have raised a son like you. You are going to doamazingthings in college.”

“Mom…” Cory wasn’t sure what to say, lest he start crying himself. His mom had always put him first, always worked hard to make sure he had everything he needed. He hoped he could one day return the favor. “I love you. I promise to keep making you proud.”

“I already am, Cory.” Julia hugged her son again—there was never going to be enough. She released him, taking some tissues from Luciana to dry her face.

“Ugh. I don’t wanna get all sappy and stuff,” Stephanie said into Cory’s ear as she hugged him. “It’s been a really crazy year, huh?”

“Yeah, you could say that.” Cory laughed, mostly to himself since none of the adults here had any idea just how crazy. “Hopefully college is a little … less.”

“I doubt that it will be.” Steph gave a sad smile. “But I think we’ll survive. But you better keep in touch. Not like that H.A.G.S. bullshit people wrote in our yearbooks.”

“Same goes for you. I’ll try and get my PC set up as soon as we get there so we can game together.” Cory promised. “I wanna hear about all the hot nerds at TIM. With pictures!”

Once all the goodbyes were said and all the hugs passed out, everyone knew it was time. Derek, Nic, and Cory piled into their respective packed cars as their families stood and watched, waving them off. Before he got in his seat, Cory turned to give one last look at the apartment he had called home for the last decade and a half, thinking of all the times, good and bad, spent there. It felt like the end of an era.

Smiling, Cory wondered what the next one would hold.