1
Dani
“I still don’t know about this dorm room situation,” Mom said.
“Honey, she made her choice. We agreed to let her make her own decision,” Dad murmured.
“But the apartments we saw were beautiful. And she’d have her privacy.”
“Rena, stop it.”
“Just try to talk to her, Peter. Please?”
I sighed. “I can hear you two, you know.”
Mom smiled at me hesitantly and Dad shook his head. As I rolled my last suitcase out the front door of our beautiful two-story home, I didn’t let their conversation dampen my spirits. I was excited to be rooming with my best friend, Hannah. I’d met her during orientation last year when we were both freshmen. And we seemed to latch on to one another. She was peppy and loud, with a boisterous laugh and curves that made every available boy on campus come over and talk to us just to get in good with her. She loved big costume jewelry and clothes that were a size too small. And through it all, we helped one another get through the tumultuous insanity that was freshman year of college.
I was lucky to be rooming with her again for our sophomore year.
“There she is, my future human resources professional. I’m proud of you, princess.”
I smiled. “Hi, Daddy.”
I set my suitcase beside him and leapt into his open arms. I’d taken general studies courses all throughout last year before I ended up declaring a human resources degree. And while it wasn’t the sparkling medical degree or business degree my parents wanted for me, they supported me nonetheless.
Kind of.
“Well, just know you can change that major at any time,” Mom said.
“Rena,” Dad murmured.
I patted his back. “It’s okay. Really. I promise.”
“So we have a surprise for you!”
Dad held me by the shoulders and gave me that ‘oh, shit’ look he always got whenever Mom sprang something on him.
“We do?” Dad asked.
“Yes. We do. We’re going to campus to help you unpack!”
I nodded slowly. “Thank you, Mom. I really appreciate it.”
She placed her hand against my car. “Oh, you don’t have to thank us for something like that. Plus, I’ve been dying to know how this car drives.”
“I think your mother wants to drive it herself,” Dad murmured.
“Well, can you blame me? I mean, look at it. Sure, it’s not the newest model. A few years old. But the pearl white paint is pristine and the leather seats are heated. Heated, sweetheart. Oh, this Range Rover is a dream.”
I giggled. “At least you know what to get her for Christmas, Daddy.”
He cleared his throat. “All right. Let’s heave this last suitcase into the back and get on the road, then.”
“Oh, can we stop by that coffee place just out of town? I never get over there and they have the best iced mochas in West Bloomfield!”
I looked over at Dad. “Yeah, Daddy. Best iced mochas ever.”
He grimaced. “Why would anyone put coffee and chocolate together?”
“Come on, you two! Quit dragging!”
“Shouldn’t I be the one to make this dri--?”
Mom snatched the keys from my hand and bounced her way into the driver’s seat. I’d never seen her so peppy before. Or happy. And I knew the worse it got, the more worried she was growing. I still didn’t know why me living in the dorms again made her so nervous. But I didn’t question it. For Dad’s sake, and my own.
“Let’s get you to campus, then,” he said.
The ten-hour drive to Ann Arbor was excruciating. But it didn’t squelch my excitement over the new year. I had a major, specialized classes to take, and with a lot of my required classes out of the way that meant I could really dig into my studies. Really focus. And if I played my cards right with some summer courses, I’d be able to graduate a semester early.
Something I knew my father would take pride in, since he’d done it himself during his own college years.
“So, how’s Hannah?” Dad asked.
“Oh, please tell me you’re rooming with her. I don’t know if I can take you rooming with another stranger like that,” Mom said.
I smiled. “Yep. She’s my roomie. I’m really excited, too. We already know how we want to set up our dorm room.”
“Oh? Have you already seen your room?” Mom asked.
“Yep. We requested the dorm building we were in last year because of its central location on campus.”