Sitting here, watching her bicker with Mom about such a mundane mother-daughter thing, I don’t know, it makes me feel really full. I finally speak up and take Mom’s side on this debate.

Who knows where Jamie will end up living in a month? I want to be able to FaceTime with her. I know she won’t be good at keeping in touch long distance. She’ll retreat back into emotional hermit-hood. Mom already proposed this FaceTiming argument with her, but it’s my two cents that puts Jamie over the line.

“Fine.” Jamie deflates. “Fine. Fine, but I’m taking the day with Gladys. We’re not turning an iPhone on till tomorrow. I need time to say goodbye.”

Mom interrogated us last night to figure out what kind of restaurant to bring us to. Jamie had no preference. I want to start dabbling in some Filipino recipes, so I made us reservations at one of the highest-rated Filipino restaurants I could find on Yelp.

Jamie’s sipping a peach cucumber martini when her Chocolate buzzes. She’s been paying special attention to it for the last couple of hours. She snatches it up now.

“Sier,” she gushes immediately.

I swallow my mouthful of chicken adobo. “What?”

Jamie lets go of a long breath. “How would you feel about interning for a recording studio where they produce metal albums and emo music and all that shit you’re into?”

The forkful of rice I’ve been prepping slides back onto my dish.

“I … wow, I … um … that sounds really cool, actually.”

“You have an interview at Metal Stone next Tuesday. I’ll text over the info.”

I put down my fork. “An interview? How?”

“I know a guy.”

“How did you even … when did you even think of this? I haven’t even thought of, I didn’t even think…”

Jamie grins. “I noticed it’s a thing you like, and you’re trying to figure out what you want to do. I wanted to help if I could.”

And then I start to cry.

96. A Girl Is Enjoying Herself

JAMIE

September 11, Friday

New York City

Both Mom and Siri have yet to see Men in Black 2. This is a crime.

“You girls don’t want to binge a Thrones season—” Mom starts as she brings over a bottle of wine and three glasses.

“No.” We both cut her off at the same time. Siri and I break into laughter, and after a second Mara joins in.

“It’s Men in Black 2 or nothing!” I declare.

Mara smiles. “Where did I go wrong with you two and Thrones?”

“I think it was when you middle named us George and Martine?” I say with mock-thoughtfulness as she pours me a glass. Siri giggles.

This feels too good to be true. This day is too good to be true. I can’t believe we’re laughing with our mother. Together.