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"There’s nothing you could have done Hisshowed ed everything for hiether that I never really liked to begin with"

She handed me a cup of chai latte, and I took a tentative sip Delicious, and enough caffeine to power h the homework that waited for me at the apartment

"I liked Riley," she admitted "I liked that he fit with our fa worked out If I had knohat he was doing, I’d have put his balls in a vise"

I sputtered, leaving a trail of latte droplets on the kitchen island We both burst out laughing and Moh to clean up every spot "In all seriousness, I never would have pushed you toward him"

"I know On paper, he was perfect"

"And Josh?" She slipped it in so easily, but it still sent a streak of pain through me

"Josh is in the army; well, the Guard" It had been over two etting out, then raduation I can’t do it, Mom I won’t do it"

She quietly sipped her coffee before answering "Do you love hi for words "Yes More than I ever thought was possible I can’t seeone, I will" It was more of a promise to myself than a statement to Mom "Besides, he’s more than moved on"

"You can’t work through this?" A fire caave a dahtly"

"I’ this life, Mom I want stability, and roots, and one house for the next twenty years where row The arhtly narrowed her eyes, as if judging whether or not the subject was closed Wisely, she moved on "You sacrifice too erator, the counter, and the floor before she brought theed, and she cleared her throat "I need to say thank you Thank you for what you did Thank you for being here, for taking care of everything when I couldn’t"

"No problem, Mom" The ansas so easy now, autoave up your school, your life, your plans Don’t you think I knohat your plans ave up too much"