Page 104 of The End of Summer

I inhale, appreciating the cacophony of scents that make up the airspace around me. Bacon, salt air, mom’s lavender essential oils. “Taking the job, I guess?”

“Everything happens for a reason,” she says. “Do you believe that?”

I nod, swallowing a bite of scrambled eggs. “I do.”

“What did that job give you, besides money?”

A headache? Jail time? Possibly an ulcer?“Brady,” I say. “And self-confidence,” I admit.

“Tell me more about that,” she says.

“I know you probably think I must be some kind of slut for pole dancing –”

“Don’t assume, Gretchie.”

“I’m kind ofgoodat it.”

“You sound surprised.”

I shrug. “Iwassurprised. It takes a lot of strength. Like, in your core.”

“Maybe you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

“Maybe.”

“No,” she corrects us both. “Definitely.” She places her hand on mine.

“I messed everything up.”

“How?”

“Daddy says I’ll never be able to get a job as a teacher.”

“It won’t be easy. Especially not in this area.”

“What am I going to do, then? I have my interview this week.”

“Talk to your advisor. Be truthful, and see what she says.”

At this, I nod. “I’m embarrassed, though.”

“Don’t be. We were all young once. She’ll understand. I promise.”

“Dad also said that he thinks I should move back home.”

“Do you want that?”

I shake my head. “No. I felt like I was finally getting somewhere. Summer changed me, you know? I went from being some pub waitress who was basically just coasting through life to becoming someone with a serious boyfriend and actual career prospects on the horizon. It’s bad enough thatthishappened. I don’t want to move back in like some baby who can’t handle her own life.”

“Then don’t,” Mom says.

I smile, and it feels good. “I need to talk to Brady,” I tell her, squeezing her hand. “Thank you.”

“I love you, sweetie.”

I kiss her on top of her head and head for my old bedroom. Sitting down on my bed, I pull my phone out of my back pocket.

He picks up right away. “Finally!” he exclaims. “Are you okay?” Poor guy sounds like an unraveling fidget spinner of apprehension.

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