Page 63 of Gray Area

I blush. “It was really good,” I tell her.

“Did any actual talking go on?”

“Some,” I tell her and we both laugh. “Ugh, we have to get to the post office tomorrow,” I tell Bailey with a sudden epiphany and in a desperate attempt to not discuss the amazing showersex I just had, “so we can get our mail forwarded.” We both have multiple school applications out, and I don’t want an opportunity to slip by us.

Bailey looks down at her feet, and then looks up, but there’s an emotion I can’t read on her face. And that’s weird because we can always read each other.

“Bails? What’s wrong?”

Bailey grabs my hand and tugs me to the couch, where we both sit and she faces me.

“I got into a school,” she says in the same tone I’d have reserved for the death of someone I loved.

Excitement floods me. “Bailey, that’s amazing!” I say and grab her into a hug. She has worked so hard for this. I lean back and find her with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. “Where?”

“Baptist College of Health Sciences,” she says. “It’s in Memphis.”

“Wow, incredible,” I exclaim in absolute joy. We have always talked about getting away from this area and our past, but that has been something more important for Bailey. It is all finally happening for her. “How is the financial aid?”

I can see the excitement starting to come alive in her now. “It’s great, Viv. I got into a specialized program where as long as I work as an assistant in the labs the entire time I am enrolled, I get a discount on my tuition. I also got a grant for nursing students, and there is a school housing program for those under a certain income, and believe it or not, I qualified.”

My head spins with all the information. “I can’t believe it,” I tell her. “That all sounds just incredible. When do you start? The fall?”

Bailey chews her lips. “Next week,” she finally says.

My mouth drops open. “Huh?” I say, certain I haven’t heard her correctly.

Bailey lets out a huge sigh, seeming almost guilt-ridden now. “I got a letter from them this past fall saying I was not accepted but that I could be waitlisted for their program,” she admits. “So I said yes—I mean, what the hell did I have to lose? And a spot just opened up because someone dropped out last minute.”

“But the semesters for schools started weeks ago. Why would you go now?”

“They operate on the quarter system, so their new classes start next week,” Bailey explains.

“Oh.” I try to force the tears not to come. “Bailey, that is so great,” I say, as my voice cracks and betrays me.

“I’m sorry,” she says, and she now looks on the verge of sobbing.

“No, don’t apologize,” I beg, wiping my eyes and then hers with the sleeve of my sweatshirt. “This is such good news.”

“I’m leaving you high and dry,” she says, “and that was never my intent, Viv.”

“No, you stop that. This is good,” I tell her, grabbing her shoulders to give her a little shake and looking into her eyes. “Am I going to miss you? Yes. But this is what we have been working for, Bailey,” I remind her.

“I know,” she says, but she looks completely regretful.

“I mean, what if this had been me? Would you be upset?” I ask, and she shakes her head. “So, when are you leaving?”

“I’m going to take the bus there, so I think I am going to head out in two days,” she says. “That way I have enough time to get books and settle in before classes start. Oh, and I quit work today too. That’s why I was there. I was meeting with HR for an exit interview.”

“We may need to get phones that don’t have prepaid minutes, because I am going to need to still talk to you every day,” I tell her.

“Absolutely,” Bailey agrees with a vigorous nod. She heaves out a big breath. “Thank you, Vivian,” she says, pulling me into another hug.

“For what?” I ask, hugging her back tightly.

“For being my person,” she says.

“Anytime, Bailey. I will always be your person,” I tell her. “Let’s splurge and order some pizza. There is a great place called Jimmy’s near here.”

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