Page 52 of Damien
Just as I get to class, my phone buzzes with a text.
Hoping it’s Damien, I eagerly retrieve it from my pocket. To my surprise, it’s from Jana, a mom to one of Julia’s friends.
Jana: Would Julia be up for a sleepover this weekend? We’re going to the beach Saturday and would love to have her join us. We should be home by bedtime. If you’re up for it, she can stay with us again, or we can drop her off when we get back to town.
Wow, a kid-free day.
Knowing Jana is one of the few people I’ve learned to trust Jules with, I quickly tap out a reply.
Me: That sounds good. Let’s see how she feels about Saturday night before deciding.
Jana: Sounds good. I’ll text you tomorrow night.
Me: Gotta run to class. Talk soon.
Just as I sit down in my seat, the text I’d been expecting comes through, and my smile widens even further.
Damien: Thinking of you. Hope you got to class okay.
Is it possible to physically swoon from just a simple text?
I swear my insides feel gooey, and I can’t erase the perma-grin on my face if I try. Knowing my time is limited before my professor starts class, I quickly tap out a response.
Me: Just sat down with a few minutes to spare. Busy conquering the world?
Damien: Today could’ve been better if I’d seen you this morning. But overall the meeting was productive, so it’s good.
Me: What if I told you I have a kid-free night tomorrow evening? Know anyone who wants to hangout?
Damien: I think I might.
He might? What does that mean?
Before I can respond, another notification comes through.
Damien: How does pizza and a movie at my place sound? I’d offer to cook—but no functional kitchen. If you’d rather go out, we can do that, too.
The thought of being alone with Damien sounds quite promising. We’ve talked for hours on the phone, but I’d much rather be with him in person. Besides, then I can get more of those lips on me that I can’t stop thinking about.
My professor stands to teach, and I know I need to cut this short.
Me: Your place is great. Class is starting. Talk later.
Class flies by and instead of picking up Jules early, I settle into my usual studying room at the library. With the semester coming to an end, I have a paper and a few exams to study for. If I use my time well, I could have an entirely free weekend—which would be rare.
One thing Jules has taught me is the necessity for time management. I’ve learned to utilize every free moment to make my time work for me. That means I stay ahead of my studies and be disciplined enough to stay on campus to finish what I can. Once I get home, all my perfectly laid-out plans can fly out the window—so I’ve gottamake hay while the sun shines—asDaddy used to say.
He’d be so proud of me and what I’ve become.
In less than one year, I’ll have my nursing degree, and the fear of being another teenage statistic will be abolished. I’m determined to be among the two percent who graduate from college before the age of thirty. Sure, I wouldn’t be where I am without Vinnie by my side, but I’ll be dammed if I’m giving up.
Within two hours, I’ve finished my paper and feel prepared for my exams. Knowing I’ve got thirty minutes to spare before picking up Jules, I swing through the on-campus coffee shop to pick up a treat for my accomplishments.
Sipping on my caramel macchiato, I walk across campus to my car. I’m not sure what it is about this sweet concoction, but when I treat myself to one—the day always goes better. My mood is light knowing I only have one class keeping me from my weekend. Sure, I’ll use the time to finish studying, but I feel ready. I can’t wait for this semester to end.
My load will be much lighter once summer break is here. Not only will the college students go away, and the town has way less people living in it, but I’m only taking one class this summer. Sure, I usually pick up a few more hours at the diner, but most of my days will be spent with Julia, and times like that are priceless.
“Momma,” Julia gushes as she rushes into my arms for a hug when I pick her up from daycare. “Guess what?”
