go to a creativity conference where they hope to network with some filmmakers. Eric is studying filmmaking at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. He’s home for the summer, so Jimi, who plans to pursue an acting career, sees this conference as an opportunity to see how the industry works.
The conference began at nine a.m. and Jimi said she’d be back by noon at the latest. It’s ten minutes to noon and I’m getting a bit antsy for her to meet Abby. I dial her number and she picks up on the third ring.
“Hi, Mom.”
I can hear a lot of noise and talking in the background. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything at the conference.”
“Nope. We were just leaving. Do you need us to pick up anything on the way home?”
“No, thank you. I just need you to come home quickly.”
“Why?”
I’m silent for a moment as I try to maintain my composure, but I’m so overjoyed just thinking the words. It’s impossible to say them aloud and not feel overwhelmed.
“She’s here, baby… Abby came.”
Jimi’s silent except for the occasional loud sniff.
“Jimi?”
“I’m here,” she whispers, and I can hear her better now that the noise from the conference has faded away.
“Are you okay?”
Another loud sniff, then she clears her throat and responds. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just… really happy for you.”
“For me? What about you, honey? You finally get to meet your sister.”
“Hold on, Mom. I have another call coming in.”
She clicks onto the other line before I can respond, then she comes back a minute later. She sounds composed now. No more sniffing or thickness in her throat.
“Mom, that was Jenna. She wants me to help her with her UNC app before we go to the beach house. I have to go.”
“Wait a minute. Did you not hear what I just told you? Abby is here and she wants to meet you.”
“I can’t, Mom. I promised Jenna I would help her with the application before I go to the beach house. Dad told me we’re leaving tomorrow. Am I just supposed to let one of my best friends screw up her college application?”
“You said Jenna was getting on your nerves and you were glad she doesn’t drive so she can’t visit you at the beach house. Those were your words!”
“Mom, I don’t have time to argue about this. I promise I’ll try to finish up quickly.”
I shake my head in dismay. “If you miss this opportunity to meet Abby to help Jenna, you will always regret it, Jimi.”
“I’ll be home as soon as I can. Bye, Mom.”
I end the call feeling confused and angry. She seemed overwhelmed with emotion when I told her Abby was here. Then she answered that call and everything changed. It’s as if she spoke to someone who convinced her that meeting Abby was a bad idea. My chest hurts at the thought that someone else could have that sort of influence over Jimi.
She’s always been a bit of a daddy’s girl, but she’s also fiercely independent. She got her driver’s license two days after her sixteenth birthday because she was desperate for more freedom. And she completed her college applications all on her own, getting accepted into both NC State and UNC along with a few other universities, like her top pick USC. All she has to do is submit her fall-semester grades to each university this coming January, and she’ll have her pick of seven different college campuses.
So, naturally, all of her friends have been asking for her help with their college applications. But I never expected she would choose to put off seeing Abby to help Jenna, a girl who supposedly flirted with Jimi’s boyfriend before they broke up three months ago. It makes no sense.
I head back to the kitchen in time to find Chris teaching Abby how to truss a chicken. Ryder is showing Caleb how to work the computer touchscreen on the wall by the breakfast bar. Of course, Ryder shows him how to work the TV function by putting on the Disney Channel.
I sidle up next to Chris and nudge his shoulder with mine.
The conference began at nine a.m. and Jimi said she’d be back by noon at the latest. It’s ten minutes to noon and I’m getting a bit antsy for her to meet Abby. I dial her number and she picks up on the third ring.
“Hi, Mom.”
I can hear a lot of noise and talking in the background. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything at the conference.”
“Nope. We were just leaving. Do you need us to pick up anything on the way home?”
“No, thank you. I just need you to come home quickly.”
“Why?”
I’m silent for a moment as I try to maintain my composure, but I’m so overjoyed just thinking the words. It’s impossible to say them aloud and not feel overwhelmed.
“She’s here, baby… Abby came.”
Jimi’s silent except for the occasional loud sniff.
“Jimi?”
“I’m here,” she whispers, and I can hear her better now that the noise from the conference has faded away.
“Are you okay?”
Another loud sniff, then she clears her throat and responds. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just… really happy for you.”
“For me? What about you, honey? You finally get to meet your sister.”
“Hold on, Mom. I have another call coming in.”
She clicks onto the other line before I can respond, then she comes back a minute later. She sounds composed now. No more sniffing or thickness in her throat.
“Mom, that was Jenna. She wants me to help her with her UNC app before we go to the beach house. I have to go.”
“Wait a minute. Did you not hear what I just told you? Abby is here and she wants to meet you.”
“I can’t, Mom. I promised Jenna I would help her with the application before I go to the beach house. Dad told me we’re leaving tomorrow. Am I just supposed to let one of my best friends screw up her college application?”
“You said Jenna was getting on your nerves and you were glad she doesn’t drive so she can’t visit you at the beach house. Those were your words!”
“Mom, I don’t have time to argue about this. I promise I’ll try to finish up quickly.”
I shake my head in dismay. “If you miss this opportunity to meet Abby to help Jenna, you will always regret it, Jimi.”
“I’ll be home as soon as I can. Bye, Mom.”
I end the call feeling confused and angry. She seemed overwhelmed with emotion when I told her Abby was here. Then she answered that call and everything changed. It’s as if she spoke to someone who convinced her that meeting Abby was a bad idea. My chest hurts at the thought that someone else could have that sort of influence over Jimi.
She’s always been a bit of a daddy’s girl, but she’s also fiercely independent. She got her driver’s license two days after her sixteenth birthday because she was desperate for more freedom. And she completed her college applications all on her own, getting accepted into both NC State and UNC along with a few other universities, like her top pick USC. All she has to do is submit her fall-semester grades to each university this coming January, and she’ll have her pick of seven different college campuses.
So, naturally, all of her friends have been asking for her help with their college applications. But I never expected she would choose to put off seeing Abby to help Jenna, a girl who supposedly flirted with Jimi’s boyfriend before they broke up three months ago. It makes no sense.
I head back to the kitchen in time to find Chris teaching Abby how to truss a chicken. Ryder is showing Caleb how to work the computer touchscreen on the wall by the breakfast bar. Of course, Ryder shows him how to work the TV function by putting on the Disney Channel.
I sidle up next to Chris and nudge his shoulder with mine.
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