Page 109 of The Me I Left Behind

Her mother quickly crossed the kitchen. “You insisted you should take those classes.”

“Not important now.”

“Why?”

“Undeclared, right?”

“Excuse me?” her mother said.

“Because I’m not majoring in art, Mom. You win.” She’d actually contacted the college and changed her major to business education. Knowing her mother thought she sucked at being an artist would only cloud her entire college career and probably her future if she stayed with art.

It took several seconds for her mother to respond—for it to sink in what she had meant. “What are you going to major in then?”

Mary Margaret met and held her gaze. “I thought maybe I’d major in spreading my legs for the boys.”

Her mother glared.

Mary Margaret didn’t budge.

After a minute, she said, “Well, you need to call her then—Mrs. Shepherd—and tell her you won’t be back. At least we’ll save the cash.”

She broke eye contact and turned, methodically placing the mustard and mayo and deli meat back in the refrigerator. “You call her.”

“Oh no, young lady. That’s your responsibility.”

She laughed. “Really? Not.” She headed to the family room with her sandwich.

“Mary Margaret!”

Ignore her. Let her fucking figure it out. I’m done.

Maggie heardthe front door slam shut. She glanced at the clock. Ten. Home just in time. Curfew discussion avoided. She expected Carol would run upstairs to her room, and she’d likely not see her again until morning.

Okay by her.

The day was long enough already. The last thing she wanted was to start an argument with her teenage daughter.

But Carol joined her in the family room, sitting beside her on the sofa. “Hey, Mom.”

“Hi, honey. How was graduation practice?”

Carol shrugged, looking down. “Okay. Kind of sad.”

“Oh?” Maggie turned toward her. “What’s wrong?”

Carol scooted closer and laid her head on Maggie’s shoulders. “I hung out with a bunch of my friends after practice. We went to Luigi’s, you know that pizza place? It just hit me, Mom. Everyone is going to be going their separate ways soon. I know I said I was over high school shit—I really meant the drama—but I realized today I might never see many of my friends again after we graduate.”

Maggie thought back to her own classmates. “I hate to say this, sweetheart, but that’s probably true.” She put her arms around her girl and held her tighter. “I wish it weren’t, but….”

“It’s all gone by fast.”

“And it will only go faster. Enjoy every minute while you can.” They sat quietly for a minute. “I love you, you know.”

Carol snaked her arms around her waist. “I love you too, Mom.”

Maggie played with a lock of Carol’s hair, savoring every second of closeness. She’d already decided earlier, after rehashing her own college entry experience, that she would not interfere. “Honey, about college. It’s totally your decision. I will not—”

“Right.” Carol eased off her shoulder and faced her. “Mom, I told Logan I’m going to ECU as planned. It is my decision. Not his, although I respect how he feels. I thought about it today when I was hanging out. I even talked with Sophie, and then later, Hannah. I know you wanted to discuss it, but really, we don’t have to.”

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