“How will I know?”Evie asked.
“You’ll know.Have you ever done something that didn’t feel right and regretted it as soon as it happened?”
Evie slid me a look of shame.“Yeah.”
“Then you know the feeling I’m talking about,” Reegan said.
Evie nodded, nibbling her lower lip.“What about boys?”
Reegan and Ashlyn shared a smile.
“What about boys?”Ashlyn asked.
“Are boys in college better than boys in high school?”
Ashlyn and Reegan both snorted.
“All boys are the same,” Ashlyn said.“Just like anyone else.There are some people who will never change and will always be jerks.There are people who will always be amazing.And there are people who have been showing the world who they think others want to see.”
Evie scrunched up her face.“But they’re older.More mature.”
Reegan shook her head.“They just think that.”
Evie’s face fell, and the women noticed.
“What Reegan means is there’s a big difference between high school and college, and there’s a big difference between college and being on your own.When you go to college, you’re going to be responsible for yourself, but your parents are still going to be there if you need anything.I’m sure they always will be, but after college, you’re going to get a job and support yourself financially.It changes you to have to make those adult choices about everything from where to live, what to eat every night, what to wear, everything.”Ashlyn raised her eyebrows, asking Evie to say she understood.
Evie nodded.“I get that.I never really thought about it.”
“Because you’re not there yet.That’s okay.”Reegan reached for Evie’s hand and squeezed it.
“Thanks.”
Ashlyn and Reegan gave Evie the kind of comfort she needed, comfort I couldn’t give her.I never went to college.In high school, I started working toward becoming a mechanic.I took the necessary classes, then started working to finish my education and training.I never lived on my own until after I was divorced, and even then, it was only when Evie wasn’t with me.
I didn’t know how to help Evie transition to college because I never did it, but these two women helped her.In one evening, they helped her.
As the sun sank behind the Adirondack Mountains in the distance, the four of us cleaned up from dinner.Ashlyn lit a fire and invited Evie and I to stay, but we declined.
“I’m about to crash.I don’t know how you guys stay up all day and then don’t go to sleep,” Evie said with a yawn.
The three adults chuckled.“We learn to function on less sleep,” I told her, stifling a yawn myself.
“Yeah, we’re doing such a great job,” Ashlyn teased.“I’m a night owl, so I’m always up later.”She hooked her thumb toward Reegan.“This one is up at the crack of dawn, no matter what.Even through the summer when she doesn’t have to be.”
“My dad’s the same,” Evie declared.“He says he likes the quiet of the morning and starting the day with peace.”
“I do,” I defended.
“That’s how I feel, too,” Reegan said.“Before everyone is up and busy and life is happening, it’s nice to start my day with my thoughts and the fresh air.”She drew a deep breath.
“I don’t think I’ll ever like mornings,” Evie said, wrinkling her nose.
“You’ll figure out what works for you,” Ashlyn said, hugging Evie warmly.“Like everyone else.”
“I hope so,” Evie said.She released Ashlyn, then hugged Reegan just as tightly.“Thanks for having dinner with us.We should do it again.”
“That would be nice,” Ashlyn said, smiling in my direction.
