“You deserve this, Mom,” I say as I sit on the edge of my bed beside her.
“Thank you for always being supportive. After your father died, I know I wasn’t there for you. I was so selfish, wallowing in my own grief.”
“Mom, I never resented you when you withdrew into yourself. Dad was the love of your life, it was hard for you to process that he was never coming home.”
We embrace each other in an emotional hug. My mom pulls back.
“I need to talk to you, baby,” my mom tells me in a serious voice.
I have a feeling that I’m not going to like what she’s going to tell me.
“Michael and I want to start our life together as soon as possible.”
That’s understandable; my mom has been single for a long time.
“We don’t want an expensive wedding. We want a small wedding and reception, very intimate with a few close friends.”
“Okay, when?”
“In August, but we’re going to plan a honeymoon a little later.”
“Wow, that’s quick Mom.”
It’s already June; that doesn’t leave much time for planning.
“Baby, Michael was able to arrange an interview for me at Montgomery Preparatory. It’s a middle school and sister school to Montgomery Academy. The schools are only ten minutes apart.”
Wait, we’re moving to Montgomery, West Virginia?
I want to spend my senior year with my friends. Senior year is the last hooray before adult life; it’s a rite of passage. I’ve made a name for myself at my current high school. I’m popular, a cheerleader and I’m part of the school paper. In senior year, I would’ve been captain of the cheerleader squad, and chief writer and editor. Writing has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. My goal is to become a journalist. I’m positive that I’m going to be voted homecoming and prom queen. I’ll be a new student at the high school in Montgomery, West Virginia. I’ll be at the bottom of the totem pole. I could stay with a friend and finish my senior year here, but this is the last full year I’ll be able to spend quality time with Mom. I’ll be heading off to college soon, and after that I’m not sure where I’ll end up. Every moment I have with my mom is precious.
I can’t be selfish; my mom deserves this. She’s looking at me with a hopeful look on her face. My mom has suffered enough. I don’t want her to feel bad about her decision to relocate.
“So, what’s the plan, Mom?” I ask.
The apprehension on her face has been replaced with relief.
“I have a video interview scheduled in two weeks, hopefully, all goes well, and I’m made the offer of employment. Michael and I plan to have the wedding and reception at a luxury hotel in downtown Los Angeles on the first Saturday in August. By the second week, we’ll be packing up to make the move to West Virginia. Orientation for teachers is the third week of August. I’ll need to learn the policies and procedures, become familiar with the curriculum, and set up my classroom. Students start after Labor Day.”
My head is spinning. This is too much information to take in. Everything is happening way too fast for my equilibrium. I try to keep an excited expression on my face, but it’s hard. This is too much for me. How did my life change so drastically in the span of a few minutes? I’m a big girl. I’ll just have to make the best out of this situation.
“Everything is going to be so great, baby. I want you to help me plan everything. Michael will be here in the morning to take us to breakfast, so we can discuss the details.”
“Sounds good.”
“Wonderful, he’ll be here at 9:00 a.m. to pick us up.”
“Where are we going?” I ask because food always brightens my mood.
“I’m not sure baby, I didn’t ask.” My mom grabs my hand. “Oh baby, the proposal was so romantic.”
“Where did he propose?”
“He took me toThe Getty Center. We walked around, looking at art. We had dinner, and then we took a walk through the garden. That’s where he proposed. I had no idea. It was a surprise. I’m so happy, Cocoa.”
“I know Mom, I’m happy for you, too.”
“Okay baby, I’m going to let you get some rest.” My mom leans over to kiss my cheek. “Goodnight, Cocoa.”
