NOVEMBER 21
When I left for Italy in June, six months sounded like an eternity. Now it feels like it’s slipping through my fingers. I only have a month left! The school director, Signore Petrucione, told me they’d love to admit me for another semester, and I would kill for a little extra time to study and be with X, but how would I make that work financially? And would it completely devastate my parents? Every time I talk to them, they bring up nursing school and I can hear that I’m disappointing them.
When I got home from class today there was a letter waiting for me from my parents. They’d enclosed two letters from the university telling me that if I don’t return for spring semester I will lose my spot in the program. I basically just skimmed the letters, then shoved them in my closet. I secretly wish it would just be over with.
Uh-oh. First signs of trouble. Like those minishakes you feel before an earthquake hits. What were they called? Tremors? I was definitely feeling them in these entries. He told her he loved her, but he wouldn’t let her tell their friends about their relationship? Why was he so adamant about keeping things a secret? She didn’t seem all that worried about it.
I lay back on my bed and covered my eyes with my arm. Young Howard seemed pretty hot and cold. Had he used the whole secrecy thing as an excuse for not really committing? Had she been way more into him than he was her? That was crazy depressing. My poor mom. But then how did that fit in with what Sonia told me about Howard being crazy about her?
I glanced at the photograph on my nightstand. I couldn’t stop thinking about that feeling I’d gotten at Ponte Vecchio. After she died a bunch of people had told me my mom would stay close to me, but I’d never actually felt that. Until tonight.
I rolled off the bed and grabbed Howard’s cell phone from the dresser.
“Pronto?” Ren sounded groggy.
“Sorry, are you asleep?”
“Not anymore. I saw Howard’s number on my phone and had a panic attack.”
I smiled. “I’ve commandeered his phone. He said I can keep it until further notice. So I have a question for you.”
“You want to know if I’ll take you to Space?”
I blinked. “Uh . . . yeah. How’d you know what I was going to ask?”
“I just had a feeling. And I’m way ahead of you. I texted Elena when I got home. She thinks her DJ buddy is working this week, which means we’ll get in for free. Want to go tomorrow? I can see if other people from the school want to go too.”
Yes. “Ren, that’s perfect. And thanks again for taking me to Ponte Vecchio.”
“And for introducing you to your new best friend? I think you set a new world record for most gelato ever eaten in one sitting.”
“I want to try for another record tomorrow. What was that last kind I had? With the chocolate chunks?”
“Stracciatella.”
“I’m naming my first daughter after it.”
“Lucky her.”
DECEMBER 6
Got an e-mail from the nursing school stating that they have officially revoked my spot in the program. I tried to file an extension after I got those letters from my parents, but if I’m honest, I didn’t try that hard. My parents are upset, but all I feel is relief. Now there’s nothing holding me back. When I told X the news, he seemed surprised. I guess he didn’t know I was serious about wanting to stay.
DECEMBER 8
Amazing news! The school has offered to let me stay for a second semester at half tuition. Petrucione said I’m one of the most promising students they’ve ever had (!!) and that he and the other faculty think another semester of study will really help my future career. FUTURE CAREER. Like it’s a given! I can’t wait to tell X. I almost told him over the phone, but decided to wait to tell him in person. The soonest we can meet up is tomorrow night. I hope I can last that long.
DECEMBER 9
Told X. I think the news kind of caught him off guard, because for a second he just stared at me. Then he lifted me off my feet and swung me around. I’m so happy.
DECEMBER 27
X went home for the holidays, and Francesca saved me from what was almost the longest, saddest Christmas by inviting me to go to Paris to stay in her friend’s vacant apartment.