“That room is empty.”
“It’s going to be the nursery.”
I stared at Mom.
“So where am I going?”
She sighed.
That sigh.
The one that always meant I was forcing her to explain something she believed I should already accept.
“You’re nineteen.”
“So is Lauren.”
“Lauren is about to become a mother.”
“And?”
“Emma, please.”
“No. Where am I sleeping?”
Mom rubbed her forehead.
“We talked about how independent you are.”
“No, you talked about how independent I am.”
“You’ve been wanting your own life.”
“I’ve been saving for school.”
I had been accepted into a certification program for property assessment and construction management.
Classes started in three months.
I had $1,870 saved.
It felt like a fortune to me then.
I needed three more months.
That was all.
“I can leave when classes start,” I said. “Just give me until then.”
Mom shook her head.
