Page 127 of February

“You would? You wouldn’t pick yourself?” he asked.

“Oh. I was just saying that he’s got better qualifications. I grew up in Arnette, but he’s actually run two Fortune 500 companies before. He’d probably bring a fresh perspective,” she said.

“Sounds like you’re trying to talk yourself out of something,” Dale noted.

“No, just trying to think logically.”

“And are you thinking logically where my daughter is concerned?” he asked.

“No,” Monica answered honestly. “I promise you that I wasnotexpecting this.” She laughed a little. “Bridgette sort of came out of nowhere.”

“But you care for her?”

“I do,” replied said with a nod. “A lot. She’s special.”

“She is,” Dale said. “But I’m her dad, so…” He smiled at Monica. “Have you not spoken to her?”

“Not since yesterday. I was trying to figure this out, and I’d planned on calling her last night, but I spent so much time working on this, I just fell asleep. I thought I’d talk to her in person instead, but she’s not here yet. Do you think she’s at the café? I can meet her there.”

“She’s probably not coming in today.”

“Why not?”

“She called her mother this morning and told her that she didn’t sleep very well.” Dale leaned forward. “Her mother and I assumed that was due to you two… making up, so we decided to let it go.”

“Oh, no. We didn’t–” Monica cleared her throat. “So, she’s at home?”

“I assume so. For what it’s worth, her mom and I both told her not to avoid this.”

“She’s waiting on me, I think,” Monica said. “She was probably expecting me to call last night, and I didn’t, so I need to get over there. You don’t need me for anything here, do you?”

“No, we’re all good here.”

“Okay. Well, I’m going to head over there and try to get her to forgive me for not calling last night.”

“I’ll wish you luck, then,” he said. “And, Monica?”

“Yes?” she asked as she pulled open the door.

“You be good to my little girl,” he added. “I know she’s an adult now, and she’s capable of taking care of herself, but I’m still her dad, and she’ll always be my little girl.”

Monica smiled and replied, “I have an eighteen-year-old son. I know exactly what you mean.”

He nodded at her, and Monica left the office, ordering a car as she exited the building. Then, her phone rang again. Monica rolled her eyes at the screen and thought about not answering the call, but she was waiting on her car, and the sooner she handled this, the better.

“What, Lily?”

“I’m going to fill out his application for NYU,” Lily stated without a greeting. “It’s a long shot since it’s so late, but I don’t want him to regret applying to Tulane and have nowhere else to go since he’s adamant about not going to Columbia. I know someone at Rutgers and another person at Princeton, so I’m just going to apply there, too. Not as close, but at least it’s a drive instead of a flight.”

“When will you give up?” Monica asked.

“He’s making the wrong choice.”

“It’s his choice to make. He’s an adult,” she said. “And you know what else? I find it interesting that you’ve spent years telling me – reminding me, really – that I’m not Aaron’s mother, that he already has two moms, butI’mthe one you call about this stuff. I don’t hear about you calling his other mother. It’s always me.”

“You know she doesn’t want–”

“Yes. And that’shermistake,” Monica interrupted. “But I’m tired of this, Lily. He’s applied to Tulane. You know he’s going to get in. It’s time to let this go. If he doesn’t like it, he can transfer after his freshman year. This isn’t that big of a deal. And stop blamingme. I had nothing to do with this. My dad and Aaron are close, so ifhehad something to do with convincing Aaron,feel free to call and yell athim.Iam done, though. Oh, and don’t apply to those other schoolsforhim. He’s only going to get mad when he finds out. If he wanted to apply there, he would’ve done it himself. You weren’t involved much in his life when he was a kid, and now, you’re clinging to what you can, trying to keep him around a little longer because you regret it, but it’s too late. You want a better relationship with him? Try showing the fuck up. Try supporting his college decision, paying for the damn university, helping him move in, visiting from time to time, and not being an asshole who thinks they rule the world. You don’t. Get the hell over it already.”

---