“If I remember the craze around this time, have you applied to any colleges?What were you thinking?I’m guessing something musical.”She shrugged.“But who knows, maybe that’s changed for you.”
I barely stopped myself from letting out a snort of amusement.This seemed to be the topic of the year.“Actually, I think I finally settled on music therapy.”
Janice grinned.“That is so you.I’m not surprised.”
“Really?”
She waved a hand as if it were obvious.“I mean, look at me.I’m here because of what you did.You care about people.In an unconditional way.And well, music is your thing.I may not understand your obsession, but it is your thing.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I took a drink, letting the tea keep me warm.The firepit was doing a good job but there was a chilly wind that blew through every few minutes.
“Did you find any schools yet that have that program?”
“Truthfully, I only decided this week and hadn’t really had a chance to look into it.I did a quick search just to see.Maybe NYU or there were a couple of SUNY schools offering a degree too.I think I’d like something online if possible, so I can keep working.I have to look deeper into it all though.”
“Online so you can more easily stick around here?”
“How’d you know?”
She glanced toward the house.“Just a guess.You bought a house.People don’t buy houses if they don’t plan to stick around.”
She had a good point, but at the same time, I wasn’t really sure how accurate she was about that.I did initially just want to get away after I graduated.I bought the house because it only seemed right.And I think a part of me kind of hoped that once Lindie was out of the hospital, she’d need a place to stay, and I’d just give her the house and call it even that way.
But everything was so different.Nothing I thought was going to happen back in August before school started was what actually happened.
“Dinner is ready,” Seth called out to us.“Come inside before all your fingers and toes freeze off.”
Janice jumped to her feet.“Perfect.I’m starving.I hadn’t had a chance to eat yet today.”
My eyes widened as I got up too.“You need to take care of yourself.”
“Just been busy.Don’t worry, I’ll eat my weight in food.”
“Since everyone is here, you’ll have to fight for it.”
She grinned.“I grew up scrappy.I’m good at fighting for food.”
Laughing, we went back inside, where she was able to prove to me how good she really was at fighting over food against Justin and Toby.Safe to say she won easily.It helped that Toby backed down.But poor Justin looked like a sad loser.
