"That's great. I know how much she wanted to go to college."
"She misses you," he said before turning to greet my mom. "Kate," he said, giving her hug.
"It's good to see you, Rick," she said warmly.
I headed to my room, leaving them to chat.
My room looked bare without all the boxes and bags that had cluttered it the last few weeks. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I thought about my conversation with Rick. I felt bad I hadn't called or returned Amy's text messages since I got home. I had pushed her away, afraid that talking to her would make me miss Mason more. I now realized it was selfish of me to do so. I valued her friendship and I wasn't doing a very good job showing it.
I pulled my cell out of my pocket and scrolled through my messages until I got to the one she had sent.
Hey girl I hear you're college bound. I typed.
Who is this??? She answered.
Hahaha kidding :) She texted back.
Sorry I haven't called.
I understand chica. I know something went down between you and Greeky but figured you didn't want to talk about it.
Yeah sort of.
That's okay. I'm here if you need a friend.
Thanks I value your friendship a lot.
Aww back atcha Twinsie.
I heart you. I texted smiling.
I heart you too <3 Don't be a stranger.
I won't. I typed.
Tossing my phone on my bed, I headed to my bathroom to shower since moving stuff translated to sweaty ickiness.
The evening passed much too quickly for my liking as Rick treated Mom and me to dinner out at my favorite Mexican restaurant. During dinner, Rick entertained us with stories of previous years at the camp. Mom and I were in stitches at some of the fiascos, or as he put it, fires he had to put out. The evening was bittersweet as I got a glimpse into what our life might have been like.
"I had fun tonight," I told them, giving them a hug goodnight as they continued to talk late into the night.
"Night, Kimmie," Rick said, standing.
"Night, Dad," I said, heading toward my room.
"I can't believe she lets you call her that," I heard Mom say.
"Oh sheesh, between Car and Mom, nothing's sacred," I muttered to myself.
My last morning at home passed in a whirlwind of activity as I rushed around like a maniac, grabbing stray art supplies that seemed to be strewn throughout the house. Finally, after many false starts, we were on the road, headed for the campus. The three-hour drive passed quickly as Mom and I talked about mundane things, trying to hold our tears at bay over our impending separation.
The campus was buzzing when we arrived and we wound up circling the block several times until we found spaces. Rick squeezed into the closest space while Mom and I parked a block away.
Carol showed up with her mom and dad in tow, and we made quick work of unloading all the vehicles. Before I knew it, Carol and I were standing alone in our dorm room with tears in our eyes.
"Well, we're college girls," Carol said dramatically, sweeping her arms out and twirling around.
"Yeah, I guess we are," I said, not sharing her excitement.