was at my mom' s din

g down the co

focus on my scholarship applications. The deadline for th

ooked at me, a warm smile

derful! I know you can

ul. In my first life, her encouragement had been drow

om. More serious than I' ve

ezing my shoulder. "Your father

myself in applications, es

rang, I tensed, exp

ew times. I

t the diner once, d

alk?" he asked,

id, not looking up from

impor

I replied, handing

olk watched, whispering. I

ck envelope arrived

mbled as I t

d to offer you admission to the

A real, jo

from the kitche

it? What'

ter at her, tears st

s welled up. "Oh, Sarah! I k

as the purest moment of happiness I'

st the town square when I saw

s arm, looking up at

mach t

sed himself from Tif

to State," he sai

, I

you." He didn't sou

t

back in, "Tiffany was also looking at State. She' s

d at hi

ship you got... it' s a big

es

p people. Just like you." His eyes bored into mine. "Maybe you could def

elieve what

eer au

ive up my scholar

ood boil. "It would be the noble thing to do,

My voice was d

e wave of his hand. "Besides, what about us? What ab

g inside me for years, for a who

id, my voice like ice, "is you standing here, asking

ned slightly

taking that scholarship. And you and Tif

leaving him standing there

over. He wouldn' t l