36. Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Sloane
March 1993
I almost can't believe it, but I received acceptance letters from all four schools I applied to. Granted, they aren't Ivy League schools, but still. I think my parents are as surprised as I am. Not because I'm not a good student, but I have to work hard for the grades I get. I have a tutor for math, and I'm just not that involved in a lot of clubs or extracurriculars because I have to spend time on my studies.
As I'm setting the table for dinner, my mom is cooking. "Your dad and I are so proud of you," she says as she cuts broccoli. "Is Florida still your first choice?"
"I'm not sure," I tell her as I set forks next to each plate. "I mean, I have friends who go there, which is cool, but—" I shrug. "I'm not sure what to do."
"What about Georgia?"
I breathe in deeply. "I don't know. So many kids from school are going there, and I'm really trying to get away from all of that."
"I get that," my mom says as she begins to rinse the broccoli in a colander, "but it's such a big school, you'll probably never see them."
"Yeah, I guess so, but I don't know." I think for a moment. "I mean, I think I've been to Athens a couple of times, but I didn't tour the campus or anything. I've never toured any campuses."
My mom stops what she's doing and looks at me, almost surprised upon hearing this. "Why don’t we go visit all four of them? Since you’ve been accepted to all of them, you can see which one you like best.”
I think about it. “Yeah, we could do that if you think we have time.”
My mom nods. “Why don’t you write down each school and write a list of the positives and negatives of each one. If you want to visit all four, we can easily do that.” She pours the broccoli into a pot on the stove. “We can go to Athens one weekend, then the other three are so close to each other, we can visit them another weekend. Maybe even take a day off to make it a long weekend.”
“Are you sure you or dad would have time?”
“Of course, sweetie.” My mom smiles and I feel happy that we’ll get to do something one-on-one for a change, which doesn’t happen often.
"I can’t wait to tell Tameka when she comes to town for The Lemonheads’ show this weekend."
My mom gives me a questioning look. "This weekend?"
"Yeah," I nod, "it's Saturday, remember?"
"Oh, honey, I completely forgot. Your dad and I have to go to Buffalo for his friend’s funeral, and Erin just found out that she has some mandatory event for her sorority. I'm not sure Bryn will be comfortable being alone."
My heart starts to race. "But, mom," I feel tears prick the back of my eyes, "I've had tickets for months, and I've never seen The Lemonheads before." I'm on the brink of losing it. "Can't Bryn just stay here by herself until we get back from the show?"
Bryn hears us from the family room and walks into the kitchen. "I don't want to be all by myself."
I sigh heavily. "Bryn, it's only a few hours. We'll be back after the show." I'm so frustrated and starting to feel like Molly Ringwald in Sixteen Candles when everyone forgets about her birthday. I feel like I'm an after-thought in this family sometimes. I guess that’s what happens when you don’t demand attention and are easy-going.
Bryn starts to freak out and looks at our mom with pleading eyes. "Mom, no. I don't want to be here by myself." I can tell she’s on the brink of losing it, or, acting like she’s losing it to get her way.
"Mom," I say as I'm about to lose it myself. "I've had these tickets for months, and Tameka is coming to town for the show." My voice rises out of sheer frustration. "I've been looking so forward to it." I say a little less whiney and more measured.
Bryn starts crying now. "But, mom, no! I can't be here by myself."
"Oh my gosh!" I yell at Bryn, completely at my wit's end. "Yes, you can. Nothing's going to happen to you!"
As Bryn starts to protest, our mom steps in. "Sloane, I'm sorry, honey, but with Erin being gone and your dad and I going out of town, you'll have to stay here with Bryn." Bryn sniffles and recovers quickly. She appears consoled by this answer, but me on the other hand…
"Mom, she’s a year older than me. She doesn't need a baby-sitter!"
My mom gets that look. You know the one. The look that if you push her too far, it's not going to be pretty. "Sloane," she says tersely communicating through her tone that the conversation is over and her mind is made up.
I toss the rest of the silverware onto the table with a loud clatter. "This is so unfair!" I shout as I race out of the kitchen and up the stairs to my bedroom, slamming the door for good measure. I fling myself onto my bed and bawl my eyes out. I can't believe I can't go to the concert because my sister is scared to be alone for a few hours. I get that she has special needs, but it's not like she's incapable of doing anything. She has a job bagging groceries. She is a very capable person. Besides, what am I going to do if someone breaks into the house, or a fire breaks out? Honestly, she's stronger than me so she could take on a burglar way better than I could. After I cry my frustration out, I put in my Nirvana Nevermind CD and crank up the volume. I'm still mad, and I want the whole house to know it.