This isn’t her fault.
Most of it was Colin’s, yes. But I had also played a part in creating this situation. I never even gave her a chance to explain herself when I walked out of that asshole’s office. I had just ghosted her, believing Colin and the college over my best friend. And I was so wrapped up in what it all meant for me that I never even considered how it might impact Molly.
Without another thought, I pull Molly into me, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. She sinks against me, sobbing. And we stay that way for a while.
Finally, after her tears settle and her breathing slows, I lean away.
“You didn’t plagiarize anything,” I say. A statement, not a question.
“No—it was all mine.” She shrugs dejectedly.
“I remember…it was really good.”
“Was it? I don’t even remember.” She looks at me, and her brows knit together like she’s going to cry again. “I loved you, Chloe. You were my best friend. Mysister.”
“I know,” I say, a sob choking out of me.
“I know I should have tried harder to explain to you what happened. I let you walk away from me, and I didn’t eventryto make things right. But I was too embarrassed. I didn’t even know I was pregnant yet, and then when I found out, everything was such a mess.”
“It’s not your fault, Molly… None of it is.” She’s quiet for a moment before answering.
“I know it’s not. I’ve done a lot of work over the last decade. What Colin did was wrong. And while I know I played a part in the misunderstanding, you were supposed to be there for me…and you weren’t.” I stifle another sob and wipe away a few tears. “I thought I’d forgiven you a long time ago, but I realized as soon as I saw your face that I hadn’t. If I had, I might have reached out sooner.”
Molly’s words hit a nerve, and suddenly I realize how long I’ve been holding on to my anger. For a while, it was because I felt betrayed by my best friend. But then, every time something went wrong in my career, it became her fault, even if it had nothing to do with her. I would think,well, if Molly hadn’t sunk my career by costing me that internship, I wouldn’t even be here right now, and I wouldn’t have to deal with this failure.
But that was the thing—I neverdiddeal with my failure.
That internship wasn’t a golden ticket to success. And I should know that by now. How many interns have I worked with whose careers have changed trajectory because this industry itself is hard foranyone?
I put so much stock in the idea that if I had just started my career differently, I would be better off.
But that was never a guarantee.
The only person who has any sway over what I do in my life…is me.
Instead of reaching for what I want, I’ve fallen into the bad habit of settling for what’s handed to me—B-cam positionsandbad boyfriends. And in my career, even if I asked for more and was denied, I neverfoughtfor it. I never tried to make mydreams happen even when someone told me no. That was why I envied Sora when I first met her, because she had that fire and determination in her that I so badlywishedI had at her age.
For all I talk about becoming a documentarian, not just some replaceable camera operator,Ihaven’t made it happen. Not because of any external factors, but because I’ve just been waiting—waiting for someone to see my value and grant me my chance.
Instead of taking that chance on myself.
Instead of pushing through when things get tough.
I wrap my arms around Molly again, and she leans into me, our bodies fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle—a little scuffed around the edges from being lost to one another for so long—but still a perfect fit.
“You’ve got a smart kid, you know,” I say quietly, after a few minutes of thoughtful silence, and she laughs.
“I know. I never made any other mom friends when she was born,” Molly explains, “and for the first six years of her life, I worked two jobs just to make ends meet, so I never had time foranykind of friends. But she’s older now, and things are more stable in my career. Not great, but better. I’ve told her so many stories about you, about us. She wanted me to have that again. But I wanted it, too. I think a lot about what it would be like to have you in our lives, because I think you’d understand what it’s like.”
“What do you mean? Because I didn’t have one of my parents around growing up?” I ask, my head tilted in confusion.
“No,” she says, her eyes meeting mine. “Because you are one.”
I shake my head, bewildered. “I’m not a parent.”
“You practically raised Kyla, Chloe. And when you weren’t raising her…you were raising me. Parenthood isn’t just about blood or birth. It’s about nurturing another person. Sacrificing, so they can have more. Giving, even when you’re empty.” Molly turns to face me fully, and her cool hands grasp mine as she says, “If anyone knows what it’s like to be a parent, it’s you.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
