LANA: Even though it felt good not to hide
LANA: Also leave it to my kid who can’t find his shoes to spot your hat and recognize it
MASON: Priorities
LANA: That gives me zero hope for his teenage years
MASON: He’ll be fine
LANA: I know
MASON: Text me before you go to sleep?
LANA: Sure
MASON: Can’t wait
LANA: xoxo
Jacob’s namepops up on my screen, and without hesitation, I swipe the message and send it directly to the trash. I’ve let him take enough of my joy, and after the whirlwind of the last few weeks, I’m going to allow myself to bask in the good that happened today and the hope for this new adventure Holland, Beck, and I are about to embark on.
19
LANA
Chatter Among High School Seniors For Year-End Tradition
By Arden James
Seniors at Blackstone Falls and Clementine Creek are gearing up for one of the county’s favorite traditions. A friendly rivalry has been brewing between the two schools for “Drive something other than a car to school day.” Students are encouraging their classmates to ride horses, tractors, lawnmowers, and other creative means to ensure their school wins bragging rights for the beloved tradition.
Deputy Austin Kidd stated that the sheriff’s department is ready to aid the students as they navigate the streets to their respective schools. The sheriff’s department is encouraging all local traffic to take extra time and caution during their morning commute.
Updates will be posted as they become available…
Ismile as I skim over the rest of the articles, but my heart is full thinking about Beck and Holland participating when they’re seniors. It’s just another reminder that I made the right choice bringing the kids here. I want them to have all the small-town experiences, and I want them to be happy here.
Even this newspaper is a reminder to slow down once in a while. I haven’t read one in years, choosing to get any and all updates on my phone, but I find I actually quite like this.
My phone buzzes, breaking my little daydream, and as soon as I look, I wish I hadn’t.
JACOB: Important meeting this weekend—can’t take the kids
LANA: That’s the second weekend you’ve missed
JACOB: Some of us have real jobs Lana
LANA: I’ll be sure to tell your real kids they’re not as important as your real job
JACOB: Don’t be such a bitch
JACOB: And keep that asshole away from them
I don’t validatehis messages with a response.
Jacob’s penchant for tantrums should have been a red flag, but I’d been young and I thought we’d been in love.
Maybe we had.
