Lesson by Her [Book 1]

Epilogue

Dusty had almost finished unpacking her few belongings in her new Princeton dorm room. Her roommate hadn't yet arrived, so Dusty had chosen the bed beneath the window, which overlooked luscious green lawns that were already a hive of activity as students filtered into the campus, wide eyed and innocent and eager to learn.

One item that Dusty treasured was placed on her bedside table. It was a framed picture of her whole family, taken when she was thirteen, around a year before her father died. They'd gone to a charity ball, so they were all dressed in their finest.

They looked every inch the perfect American family. Next to that picture, Dusty placed a more recent one, taken just days before she had left for Princeton. It was of her and her mother and brother, all hugging just outside of their trailer. A neighbor had kindly taken it for them.

What Dusty noticed in both pictures was that their smiles were just as broad, just as full of love and happiness despite the drastic change in circumstances. It warmed her heart to think that despite everything, they'd found happiness again. The pictures were placed together—a brief history of Dusty's complicated life. She was determined that here at Princeton she wouldn't hide herself or who she was; she was happy to put it out there for all to see.

She finally felt at peace, as if she was who she was and where she was meant to be. As Dusty began to put her now empty bags away, she noticed a white envelope on the floor. Picking it up, she realized it was the good luck card Valentine had given her when she last saw her.

Opening it up, sure enough there was a card with a green shamrock on the front and in silver lettering the words 'Good Luck.' Inside, however, there was a neatly written message that made Dusty's breath catch in her throat.

My dearest Dusty-Rose,

By now you should be at Princeton and embarking upon your dream. I cannot tell you how proud I am of you. Watching you work and strive for this goal has rekindled my belief in the human spirit and reminded me why I wanted to go into teaching in the first place.
Moreover, the strength you continually show, despite the hardships you've endured, just make me fall more madly in love with you.

Letting you leave was easily the hardest thing I've ever done, but I know that you are destined for great things! I could not have lived with myself if I'd been the reason you remained in West; believe me when I tell you how desperately I wanted you to.

So good luck, my darling. I hope the college experience is everything you always dreamed it would be. And in four years' time, when your studies have concluded and you are a Princeton graduate, should you not have changed and still love me, then know I'll be here in West, waiting for you.

If you don't return to me, it doesn't mean that I'll stop loving you. Go be great.

All my love,

Cherry Valentine (Ms. Quinn) :) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx