“Here is my advice to you.”
I look at her, so ready to get my mother’s wisdom. Mom’s fix everything, right?
“Go on the trip.”
I pull my head back and pinch my eyebrows together.
“What? Did you not hear me?”
“I heard you. I’m honestly surprised.”
150
T. SPEAR
“This is something you have been wanting to do. You have plenty of money saved, you have friends and family who support you and it’s time you do something just for yourself. This is going to help you figure out if being in a different place is what you need.”
“Yeah. I think you’re right.”
“I am right. I’m your mother after all,” she says and smiles at me. She takes my hand in hers and pats the top of it a few times.
“You let me know if there is anything I can do to help. I only want you to be happy again.”
I pause for a second.
“Actually, there is something.”
“What’s that?”
“Sharkbait. Who’s going to feed him while I’m gone?”
“Well, you know. I have plenty of room here.” she says and looks around her property with her arm out.
“Could I bring him here? He might miss his evenings in the allies, but I think he would enjoy it out here as well.”
“Of course, you can. I would be happy to have him.”
“Thanks, Mama.” I hug her.
We spend the rest of the afternoon outside. I help with her garden, and she feeds me a huge lunch and sends me home with lots of leftovers. It will be nice to not eat bar pizza for a while.
She walks me out to my car and hugs me again.
WHEN YOU'RE READY
151
“I’m truly proud of you.” She pulls away and looks at me.
“I know it’s hard to talk about feelings and being vulnerable takes a lot of courage. You take this time and really reflect on things. You will know what’s right.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I kiss her forehead and hug her one more time.
“I’ll call ya when I have everything figured out.”
“Sounds good.”
I get in my car and drive home, thinking about everything we talked about today. I am actually going to do it. I have been putting it off long enough. Maybe she is right, and this is what I need to reset my life. To figure out what is genuinely important to me. To know if where I am really is home.