I finally get ready for bed, shut off the light, and snuggle under the covers. Once asleep, I dream that Carwyn and I are in New York, looking at a condo on Park Avenue. It costs $3 million, and the real estate agent informs us that the HOA fees are $3,000 a month.
“No problem,” I say. “I can afford it.” Of course I can. This is a dream, and in it I’m richer than Danielle Steel.
I wake up with a smile. Surely the dream is a sign of wonderful things to come. Not the richer than Danielle part. I don’t care about that. Only the part where Carwyn and I are together.
Mom greets me when I come into the kitchen to help her with breakfast. “Did you sleep well?”
“Great,” I say.
She opens the oven to check on our breakfast casserole, and the aroma wafts over to me. Eggs, cheese, and green chiles. My taste buds can hardly wait for the meetup. I grab the bread and start making toast.
“Your hair’s looking better,” she says.
It is. Finally, after yet another washing.
“So’s yours,” I say as I help myself to a cup of coffee.
“I guess Gwendolyn knew what she was doing after all,” Mom says with a smile.
Obviously, Sam hasn’t told Mom that he and Gwendolyn are done. “I don’t think we can count on Gwendolyn coloring our hair anymore.”
“Oh? Why?”
“Sam broke up with her.”
“What? When did that happen?”
“When we went out for pizza.”
“I thought they were so good together.” Mom sounds perplexed.
“He’s lucky to be rid of her,” I say and tell Mom about Gwendolyn’s behavior. “She’s always been a bully,” I add.
Mom’s eyes narrow. “Did she bully you in high school?”
I shrug.
“You should have told me.”
“You know there are some things kids have to work out on their own,” I say.
“Still, lucky for her I didn’t know,” Mom says, eyes still narrowed.
“Oh well. You know what they say. Living well is the best revenge.”
She smiles at that. “And you are. It looks like something’s going on with you and Carwyn.”
Now I’m smiling. “I think so.”
“Good. He’s a first-rate man. Unless there’s something I don’t know about him,” she adds.
“No, he is.”
“You could have a good life with him. And it would be so great to have you back here,” Mom continues.
Back here? I don’t say anything, but inwardly I’m thinking,But I’m a New Yorker now.
“If it’s meant to be, it will all work out,” she adds.
