Chapter 3
Morgan
I zip up my suitcase and take one last look around the room looking for anything I may have forgotten. Everything else is already in my car. I can’t wait to get back to campus.
I carry the suitcase down the stairs and my father takes the handle from my hand. He hates move-in day because it means I’m gone again. And this is my last one. After graduation, I’ll no longer be living in this house.
I’ve already said my goodbyes to Gram and to Alex. I chickened out for, like, the hundredth time on having a frank conversation with him about the future. But it wasn’t my fault, really.
Alex ended up getting an infection and had a high fever for two days. How could I break up with him when he was so sick?
I should totally write him a note. No, Cruella, we’re not in middle school anymore. I guess I’ll do it next time I’m home.
My mom has been in the kitchen on the phone for the past twenty minutes. I hang out by the door waiting for her so I can say goodbye.
I’m sure to stay within her line of sight so she can see that I’m ready to go. Finally, she hangs up and comes into the foyer.
“Morgan, is there something you need to tell me?”
“What do mean?”
“I just got off the phone with Agnes Sanford.”
Why was she speaking with Alex’s mother? I lick my lips, suddenly nervous as hell. Shit. I should have been eavesdropping on that call. I would have, if I’d known who was on the other line.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Lie. I have some idea what she’s talking about. If it’s what I think she’s talking about, Alex is going under the knife again for an unpleasant procedure—that I’ll be performing. One that will force him to change his name to Alexis and raise his voice up an octave.
“Did you and Alex agree to get married? Did he propose?”
I try not to laugh, I really do, but this is too much. “Oh, my god, Mom. I don’t … I can’t … no. No, I certainly did not agree to marry Alex.”
“But he asked?”
“Ugh. No, he couldn’t even do me the courtesy of a question. He was doped up, complaining about his life, telling me he wasn’t going back to school. He suggested I not go back, either, which is absurd. Then, he told me we’d get married and run the horse farm together.”
Mom shakes her head, smiling. She’s trying not to laugh. Lucy Pottinger may be a little misguided at times, but she’s got my back, especially on this. She doesn’t like Alex very much.
“Well, he’s under the impression that you two are getting married. He told Agnes his plan. She assumed you were on board. I assured her you were going back to school and finishing that degree.”
I cover my face with both hands, exasperated. Mom steps forward and hugs me tight. We stay like this for a minute before she releases me.
“Morgan, I know there’s no way you want to run that farm. I’ve known since you were little that you would grow up and leave. You’re much more independent than Meredith. You never wanted my help with anything. I know I hurt your feelings over the trip—”
“Mom—”
“No, let me finish. I know that was hard on you and I’m sorry. You’re right, you never ask for anything, even when you need it. And right now, I’m going to give you something I think you need.”
I look around the room. Did she get me a present? Am I getting one of Gram’s pieces of jewelry? Oh, how exciting.
“What is it?”
“My blessing.”
“For what?” I frown, confused.
“To go on that trip. You’re a resourceful girl, so I’m confident you’ll figure it out, and I’ll help as much as I can. Also, to break up with that boy. You need to end it, Morgan. If you don’t, the whole town will think you’re engaged and Agnes will be planning a June ceremony. You know how she is.”
“But you could tell her, right? Set her straight?”
Mom laughs. “Yes, I could. And I will say something. But you want to be an adult and make decisions, so I’m going to let you clean up your own mess.” She kisses my cheek and then pinches it.
“Gee, thanks, Mom. Great parting gift.”
“You’re welcome.”
We both laugh because, let’s face it, the situation is funny as all get out.
***
I pull into a parking space at Persimmon and my body starts to relax. I’ve been tense all week, struggling with the Alex situation. My mother made it sound so easy. It should have been easy.
I stopped by the hospital on my way out. After a little pep-talk in the car, I marched right into his room prepared to give him the what-not. The bastard was sound asleep.
The nurse on shift was checking his vitals. She told me he’d just taken a dose of morphine and would probably be out for a while. I couldn’t afford to stick around, waiting for him to wake up, so I trudged back to my car.
But now I’m back at my favorite place to be, so all is well. Alex and I usually take a “break” at the start of school, so I’ll just pretend we’re on a break and act accordingly. I’ll deal with him on my next visit home.
I get out and see my friends, Rebecca and Jen, hauling stuff out of Jen’s Jeep. I wave and they come running over, practically tackling me to the ground. My smile’s so big it hurts. This is my happy place.
Jen spanks my rear and says, “You sly little slut! Congratulations!”
“For what?”
“Rebecca here told me you’re getting married.”
“Becks!” I whine.
Rebecca’s the funny one who cheers me up. I called her the night after Alex had asked me not to come back to school, right before telling me we’d get married. I needed someone to laugh about it with me.
Though, in hind sight, I probably should have reached out to Jen. She’s the badass who would have made me go through with what I actually needed to do. She wouldn’t have run away today, like I did. Jen would have smacked Alex in the face until he was alert enough for her to tell him to have a nice life.
“Sorry, you didn’t say I couldn’t share your funny anecdotes with others. So, I took it as license to tell the world. You should know better, Morgan.”
“Bleh. Okay, it’s not like everyone won’t know eventually.”
“Exactly,” Jen agrees.
I help them carry in the rest of Jen’s stuff and then they help me with mine. An hour later, we unload the car belonging to my roommate, Elizabeth. As we unpack, I update Elizabeth on all the details of the past week.
“Wow, Morgan. Is Alex delusional?” she asks.
“Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. I haven’t exactly been one hundred percent honest with him about my plans after graduation.”
“You have plans now, do you?” she jokes.
“No, not other than never moving back home.”
“I hate to tell you this, but that’s not really a plan.”
“And I hate to tell you this … you’re still a bitch.”
Elizabeth laughs and we finish unpacking. We pop across the hall to check on Jen and Becks who convince us we need to go out to the frats later. I’m looking forward to drinking too much tonight.