eld a memory of my foolish first life. The simple wedding dress hanging on the closet door, the p

the small tras

memb

Ethan had thrown it away. It was a full-ride scholarship acceptance to the state uni

as probably a scam, that they sent them to everyone. He said I wa

town with a bad leg. Who was I to dream of

over to the trash can and reached inside, my fing

e it

t still intact. I pulled it out and smoothed it on m

. Sarah

ou a place in the Appalachian Scholars Pr

always been real. He had taken it from me. He had seen my potential, my

me. It wasn't the hot, messy anger of my fi

. Please confirm your acceptance by

h. That wa

hone on my nightstand, my fingers dialing the numbe

erful voice answered. "Admissions

y name is Sarah Jenkins. I'm calling to accept

.. yes, I see you here! Congratulations! We were hoping

gnments, orientation dates, class registration. Each word was a b

ng through my window. For the first time sinc

ress. It was a symbol of

ed it neatly. Then I placed it at the bottom of

not be n