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Now she was beginning to wonder if anywhere else in the world ht be better than here But then she would never have seen Jesse

She enty-four years old She had a son She’d lived all around the world and she was just now figuring out what she really wanted Jesse was a part of that, but he came with a price—her pride

“Will you take care of h—”

“Of course,” Ron interrupted “You don’t have to ask”

“I’d also like to discuss private nes had opened that letter

“Hold on a second, Julia,” Ron said, holding up a finger “The letter was addressed to me It came with a private note froain those kind eyes turned cold “I pulled a lot of strings to get you early acceptance—”

“I didn’t ask—”

“You filled out the application, Julia If you weren’t interested you should have said so then”

She felt as though she were a child lacking in common sense Guilt curved her shoulders and pressed her eyes to her plate “I’m sorry I didn’t want to upset anyone”

“Well, you’ve done a terrific job of that,” Agnes snapped

“Agnes,” Ron barked, chastising her Collectively they held their breath, watching each other fro to see ould make the first move

I can leave I should leave I should just go

But where would she go? She had no money for an apartment She had no friends She had only Jesse, and she didn’t even knohat he was

She felt torn between circumstances and her desires

“Now, if school is not in the cards for you right now, I think that’s fine,” Ron said and she waited for the catch “I understand You should have soe education can do for you For Ben”

The guilt choked her so she could barely breathe All of her strength, anger and righteousness vanished “I will Thanks,” she ed to say

“All right” Ron nodded as though everything was settled “Agnes, a wonderful meal, as usual” He patted his belly “I’ll wash if you dry,” he said to his wife, who appeared to feel as small as Julia felt