"Girls, what is it? I am beginning to get worried...is this something good...or...*gulp*...something bad?" "Mom it's a really good thing! Scar and I have officially decided on where we want to go for college! And....WE WERE BOTH ACCEPTED!! AHHHH" Mama Bear breathed a huge sigh of relief. She then has a smile from ear to ear,
"Well then where are you girls going? Come one I need details!" I could see Stella visibly relax as she turns to me, this is her way of signaling that it is now my turn to speak, "...We got into Wesleyan College of North Carolina!! I mean it's perfect, it is only about 4 hours from here." I say maybe a little too excited.
Mama Bear considers this for a moment, "I am very proud of you girls that is a huge decision. I was just really hoping that I would be able to keep my girls a little closer to home for a little bit longer...I mean did you girls not want to stay here in Chester close to home?" This time I look at Stella for her to explain, I am no good with explanations and even worse I surely am no good with handling disappointment from others.
"Mom it's not like that..." Stella begins and I can tell that she is struggling with not wanting to disappoint her mom. "...We just wanted to go to a school a little further away from home.... I guess that we both wanted to experience the independence.... And with that being said.... we also have something else to talk to you about..." At this point I can see that Stella is visibly uncomfortable and in distress, so I take over before she can continue,
"Mama Bear, we were not too sure or even fully comfortable with staying in the dorms, because there is a chance that we could be placed in different rooms, and we wouldn't be spending as much time together...."
'Come on Scarlet pull yourself together, you're rambling.' I take a deep breath and continue, ".... we found a cute and cheap 2-bedroom 2 bath apartment about 5 to 10 minutes from campus...."
Now Stella is beaming, and she looks as if she is about to explode with excitement, "Oh please mom can we PLEASE get the apartment?!...." I start to smile knowing that it is now Stella who is about to begin to ramble. "...we already have work lined up for both of us and we already have our classes picked out...OH... and we even figured out our expenses! The apartment is only $400 a month which split down the middle is 200 each and all of the utilities are included! Our food will be easy because we can get some assistance with that since we are students, and we wouldn't even have to pay to wash our clothes because there is a washer and dryer in the unit!" I'm not sure how she was able to get all of that out in one breath, but I am impressed.
Stella and I take a second and look at each to make sure we didn't leave anything out, and ever so cautiously we slowly turn to look at Mama Bear as she takes in all of the rushed information. We sit in silence for a few minutes just watching Mama Bear's face trying to see if we may get a small look as to what her thoughts might be. This is the hardest and most nerve-racking part of this entire conversation...Finally she looks at the both of us with a grin from ear to ear with a sparkle in her eye. This look I can only begin to describe it as pride,
" My girls are all grown up and making huge life decisions. I am so very proud of you both! Of course, you can get the apartment. And I will always be here if you girls ever need anything or need any help." Mom comes to us and wraps her arms around Stella and I in a bear hug.
" So, when is the move in date?" Mom has gotten all serious and down to business. Now Stella looks at her mom and speaks up a little nervously,
"Well mom, our move in date is set for next Monday..." She is twisting the hem of her shirt between her fingers as she usually does when she is nervous.
"My goodness for June 1st? That is not a very long time to get prepared to move. are you sure that is enough time? That is really coming up, when are you girls supposed to start working? Where will you girls be working?" Mom is beginning to look even more nervous than Stella is looking as she fiddles with her shirt and surely, she is beginning to be as nervous about us moving as I feel with the uneasy turning in my gut. I look at mom and take deep steadying breath to try and calm my nerve...