“Are you kidding, why wouldn’t I want you to come?” Her face broke out in a grin. “Can Papa take time off work?”
“He submitted the request,” Umma said. “Papa wants to book the tickets, but Gage insists to arrange everything for us.”
Translation: Gage was about to test the upper limits of Spanish dad pride. First class at best. The jet at worst. Bea wasn’t sure who’d survive it.
“Do you think Papa will agree?”
“I’m not sure. But Gage said if we take the flight he arranges, we’d arrive more rested since we’ll only be able to stay a week at most. You know Papa has a big union meeting around that time every year.”
“Come, Umma. The UR is amazing. And having you here for my birthday would be the best.”
Umma tilted her head. “He’s serious about you, isn’t he?”
Bea’s whole chest warmed. “Yeah. He is.”
More than you know.
Umma looked like she was storing that answer somewhere only mothers had access to. A place where hope and worry lived side by side.
Then she brightened. “Will I get to see the ocean?”
“It’s twenty minutes from campus.” Bea grinned. “I’ll even let you dip a toe in without signing a waiver.”
“Should I start preparing Papa to meet Gage’s family?”
Bea’s heart rate did triple time. “I…let me talk to Gage about that.”
Umma nodded. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.”
“I know you need to call Claire now, so I’ll let you go. And Bea?”
“Yeah?”
“Drink warm water, not sparkling. It’s better for you.”
Bea assured her mother as best she could before the screen went dark.
She scrolled, found Claire’s name, and pressed Video Call.
Claire’s face blinked into view on her laptop.
Bea tugged a hanger out of the closet with her free hand. “Do we like this dress or is it givingfailed art gallery intern?”
Claire made circles with her fingertip. “Turn it around.”
Bea held it up. Navy, long sleeves, subtle waist cutout.
“Can you do better?”
“Dress or pants?”
“Dress says I’m grateful for the opportunity. Pants say Iamthe opportunity.”
“Okay, so…pants?”
Bea dug through her closet and surfaced with black trousers and a champagne silk blouse from her latest subscription box. It looked expensive. Itwasexpensive. She held them up.
