A big breath in. “I wrote to the chair of the department. But I don’t know if that’s going to help or make it worse.”
“Does that mean—what does it mean?”
“Maybe…maybe U of T isn’t where I’m supposed to be. Maybe I should just be happy with the education I’ve got and forget about going further. I could withdraw and help you till your knee is better.”
I tried to shove myself upright but my leg twinged. I jabbed at the remote for the bed to lift up my back. I needed Katie’s attention for what I was going to say. The thought of her with me, while I went through rehab? Was great. But not great enough.
“I don’t ever want to stop you from getting your dream. I got mine, and even if I can’t play again, I did it. This was what I wanted, and I’ve had years of hockey and lots of memories. But you’ve always dreamed of getting more education. Helping people with math like you did me. I don’t want you to give that up. We’ll work something out.”
She was biting her lip. Not convinced yet.
“There are other schools, right? Or wait, you didn’t speak to your chairperson yet. Maybe it will be okay. But if not, we’ll find a way.”
“I’m not sure. Nora said when she got pregnant that it made her rethink her priorities and she decided she wasn’t supposed to be a doctor. She’s happy, so…”
I gave her hand a tug, making sure she’d hear. “You talked about some problems you have. And that you don’t need another degree. But you never said you don’t want it. If you do, I promise we’ll make sure you get it.”
She lifted my hand and kissed it. “You always surprise me. I thought you’d be all over having me at your beck and call while you recover.”
“I want you around, don’t get me wrong. But you don’t have to quit school for that.”
She curled up on the bed beside me. “I hate being in limbo like this. Not knowing what’s going to happen.”
“Tell me about it. But if you’re with me, I can wait.”
Katie
I didn’t want to leave Josh alone at the hospital, but he needed to heal and I needed to study. I left the donairs for him, because he was stuck with hospital food, and picked up some takeout for myself on the way home. I hoped I could focus on math this evening.
Despite talking everything out with Josh, I still had questions. I was going to see the math chair after my exam tomorrow. Did I want to fight the math department to get my degree? Was quitting taking the easy way out, or was I figuring out what my priorities were, like Nora did?
There were lights on in the condo, and Madeline was in the kitchen cleaning up. She raised her brows when she saw me clinging to my own bag of fast food. “I have leftovers in the fridge but it looks like you took care of dinner.”
“I don’t have the bandwidth to prep food, not tonight.”
She wiped her hands on the dish towel. “Anything get resolved yet?”
Despite all the questions and problems, I smiled. No, I grinned.
“I’m going to guess yes.”
“The mother-in-law dragon has been slain.”
“Did I miss something? Are you two married?”
I shook my head. “No.” But we would be. I knew it. “Josh told his mother he was with me and that it was serious. She left, probably pissed with him. I got to see him, and we talked. Cleared up stuff like we should have the first time around.”
“Congratulations. And the rest?”
I pulled out the burger and fries. “I was seriously considering dropping out of the master’s program.”
“No, Katie.” I widened my eyes, surprised at her vehemence. “I’ll just say that I’ve seen that firsthand and it turned out badly.”
I opened the fridge to get some water. “Josh told me I shouldn’t give up. It might be difficult, but it’s my dream.”
“Josh is definitely improving.”
I sat down and took a bite of french fries. “He is. We are. I’m going to talk to the math chair, see what happens. I’m still considering my options, but I’m not giving up on my dreams.”
