He Was Mine, I Was His

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

     After leaving the Curtis house, I went home and got ready for work. As I was getting dressed in my uniform, I felt a pit growing in my stomach. I couldn't explain it but it didn't feel good. 

    I shoved it off and made my way to work. Everything was fine until Rose called me into her office in the back. I grew even more nervous. What if this had something to do with that feeling I experienced before I came? Was I getting fired? 

    "Take a seat," she said when I entered. So I did. 

    "Is everything okay?" I asked. 

    "Oh yes of course!" She replied. I sighed in relief. "I actually wanted to talk to you about what your future plans were."

    "What do you mean?"

    "Well, with you being a senior this year, I was curious what you were thinking about afterwards."

    I thought for a moment. So much had been going on that I hadn't been thinking much about life after high school. Thinking about it made me anxious. As it does anyone. 

    "I am undecided right now," I explained. "I will be going to college if I have the finances. I'm not sure where or what I will study."

    "That's perfectly fine!" Rose started. "Elizabeth told me what happened with your mother. I am terribly sorry about that. Since you have been such a good help around here, I wanted to offer to pay for half of your college expenses. Peter and I do this every few years for a local high school student. We both thought you were perfect for it."

    I was shocked. Was this real? Did Rose really just offer to pay for half of my college without even knowing where I am going? 

    "Are you serious Rose?" I asked. "Does Elizabeth know about this?"

    "She does. We both would love you to accept this," she smiled. 

    I got up and hugged her, "Thank you so much!"

    "You're welcome dear. Thank you for everything you do around here."

    Rose and I talked for a while before I went home. I was so thankful for her generous offer. One of my biggest worries about college was not being able to pay for it. Now half of that was covered.

    When I got home, no one was there. Elizabeth had left a note on the table that read, Ada is at a friend's house for the next two nights. The house is yours tonight. I will call you if I find anything else wrong with Sodapop when he comes.

    I hoped I wouldn't get that phone call. I hoped that feeling I had earlier was just me psyching myself out. Things were going great right now, I didn't want that to be ruined. I sat around the house, doing anything I could to stop myself from sitting by the phone all night. After an hour of being home, it rang. I walked over, took a deep breath, and answered. 

    "Hello?"

    "Hey, it's Cindy!" She greeted over the phone. I smiled.

    I was so relieved. Cindy and I talked for a long time. I filled her in on everything that had happened. We hadn't talked since Charlie left. She told me that she had a new boyfriend and filled me in on everything happening in Destin. Then she said something that I never thought I'd hear again. 

    "I saw your mom yesterday."

    "What? Where?" I asked. 

    "The train station. She had some guy with her. They looked a little close if you know what I mean."

    "Oh that's lovely," I scoffed. Some days I missed her more than ever, other days I hated her guts.

    "I'm sorry I brought her up. On a different note, I had an idea," she said.

    "What's that?"

    "I'm applying to Florida State University. I think you should apply with me. Come back home."

    "Cindy, I can't leave Elizabeth. Or Sodapop. You know that," I replied sadly.

    She laughed, "I know, I'm just pulling your chain. I am applying to the University of Arkansas. That's only two hours away from Tulsa!"

    "Are you serious?" I exclaimed. 

    "Yes! I already sent in an early application," she explained. 

    "That is great. I'm so happy you'll be closer," I cheered. If Cindy got accepted, it would be so nice to have her close by again. 

    We talked for a while longer before she had to hang up. I was happy she had thoughts about moving closer but the pressure for finding a college was getting heavier. I had many options, I just didn't know what the right one was. Maybe I'd make some calls this week and narrow down those options. 

    I got one last phone call that night from Sodapop. He said that Darry was right, Elizabeth determined he had two broken ribs along with a minor concussion. While it wasn't the greatest news, I was glad Sodapop was going to be okay. He had me worried sick. Going to bed that night, I felt content. Like the worries I had in my head weren't as bad as I thought. Sometimes we get those feelings and it's great. I just wished they lasted longer than they do.

    I woke up the next morning and got dressed. Elizabeth was up and sitting at the dining room table. I said good morning and walked into the bathroom. While I was in there, I heard a knock on the door. I heard Elizabeth answer and hurried to see who it was. The last thing I would have ever expected to see was two men in uniform standing on the other side.