Chapter Thirty
Taylor
I was not looking forward to Dylan coming home. Well, I was, but he was going to be so excited about his college visit. All it meant to me was that I was going to have to give him up at some point. I knew I was being selfish, but I was also upset that my parents had not given me their decision about college. I had expected them to be on my side a little more.
I had expected them to at least be excited and that I was now looking forward to college. I’d been dragging my feet about applying. They’d put pressure on me, and this was how I responded.
The fact that Dylan was probably going to a different school far away didn’t affect my school decision, but it affected how I felt now. I didn’t want him to go. I didn’t want us to be apart. As much as I understood what my path was, I understood that his path was different.
Didn’t mean I had to like it. The only problem was trying to be supportive. Before now, I hadn’t cared about that. Guess I was maturing.
Helena called. “I got into Rutgers.”
That was her number one pick. She was done. This part of her life was set.
“That’s great, Helena.”
I was truly happy for her. As much as I’d miss her, I knew we’d stay in touch. We’d been friends for so long, I couldn’t imagine not being friends with her. I just wouldn’t see her every day.
“Thanks, Taylor. I know this has been a sore subject for you, but you’ll figure it out.”
How had I failed to tell her my decision? “Actually, I’ve decided on a major. I have a few schools I want to look at.”
“That’s great, Taylor. Your parents must be pretty happy.”
“Well, they aren’t sold on my major,” I said. I shifted on my bed to get more comfortable.
“What’s the major?”
“Nursing.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“I guess it isn’t an acceptable profession for my mother.”
“That sucks.”
“I’m hoping my father can convince her that I’ve thought about this. That I’m going into this knowing what I’m in for. I don’t think she thinks I’m capable of something like this.”
“Not to be a killjoy, but what have you done like it? She hasn’t seen you be anything but selfish.”
I laughed. Leave it to Helena to tell me the truth. “Okay, I know this. I’ve been spoiled and selfish. I get it. Meeting Dylan and seeing another side of life has changed me.”
“I know that, but maybe your mother hasn’t seen that side of you. Maybe you need to prove to her that you’ve changed.”
I sighed. “Yeah, probably. Not sure how to go about doing that, though.”
“I don’t know. Be more helpful around the house. Think of ways to make her life easier. Cook dinner once in awhile.”
Helena had great ideas. “I’ll have to think on that.”
“You lost your car only a few weeks ago, so she’s thinking that you haven’t grown up.”
“I know. You’re right. Can I call you when we’re away at college?”
“Of course. We’re best friends.”
“I feel like I rely on you more than you rely on me,” I said.
“That’s probably true, but I’m okay with that. If I wasn’t, we wouldn’t be friends.”
I have been selfish my whole life. “So did you do whatever you have to do to go to Rutgers?”
“Yes. I have the dates for orientation and stuff like that. I’ve put in for housing,” Helena said.
“That’s so exciting. I can’t wait to be doing that.”
“You will. Maybe you need to nudge your parents so they make a decision and then you can apply. There are deadlines.”
“I know. I think at this point, I might have to wait until January to enroll.”
“You might.”
Darn. I’d wasted a lot of time. “My next question is how do I be happy for Dylan? I want to be. He has such great opportunities ahead of him. I want him to succeed, but I’m not ready to think about him gone. Or even me gone.”
“Just smile. Always smile.”
“Okay, I think I can do that.”
“Don’t say anything negative, either.”
“That will be harder,” I said.
“You don’t want to ruin anything for him.”
“I know.” Helena was right, as usual. “I better go and practice my smile. Dylan will be home soon. Or maybe I’ll just go set the table without my mother asking.”
“Good idea.”
My mother was in front of the stove. She really didn’t like cooking, so me doing it once in awhile would make her happy, especially on nights she had class.
“Dylan and your father will be home soon.”
I dug into the silverware drawer to set four places at the counter. My mother looked over her shoulder at me.
“I guess he had a good time?” I said.
“Sounded like it, and they are hungry.”
“They usually are.”
“You and I could go days without eating and they need food more than three times a day,” my mother said.
I laughed. Let’s try out the new Taylor. “Mom, would it make things easier if I cooked dinner sometimes?”
My mother stilled her stirring arm and glanced my way. “Are you serious?”
“I am. I know you have school some nights and you leave us something, but why not just let me figure out dinner.”
“You have no practice.”
I shrugged. “I can pull something together.”
She stared at me as if I had two heads. “Okay. I have class every Tuesday and Wednesday.”
“Then, I’ll cook every Tuesday and Wednesday,” I said.
“That sounds great, Taylor. Get the men to clean up if you can.”
“Oh, I will.”
She laughed this time. “Good luck with that.”
“No worries, Mom. I can charm Daddy into doing it.”
“Yes, I bet you probably can.” She stilled. “They must be home. I heard the garage door.”
I put my smile on my face, ready to face Dylan.