Who is this and what have you done with my moody, distracted daughter? Renee mused, as she smiled. “Of course we can, honey. I would love that.”

Ten seconds later, Renee was seeing her daughter for the first time since Christmas (excluding disturbing social media photos, of course). She was relieved to see Tansy looking like herself once again. She was wearing a USC hoodie and jeans, sitting cross-legged on her dorm room bed. Her hair was still wet from a shower, and since she wasn’t wearing any makeup, Renee could make out the freckles across her nose and cheekbones. She was especially pleased to see an open textbook behind Tansy as well as a stainless steel water bottle.

Much better than a blaring speaker system and a can of White Claw.

“It is so good to see you, sweetie,” she said. “You look great. What have you been up to this afternoon?”

“Studying for an American studies exam,” she said. “And then my roommate and I are going to go to a conservation speaker series tonight. The man speaking? He apparently used to work with Jane Goodall!”

“Yeah? Now that sounds pretty cool.”

Tansy paused before taking a deep breath. “Mom? I am so sorry. I really messed up this year.”

Renee pulled the chenille blanket up over her knees. “Go on,” she said, knowing she wasn’t going to let Tansy off easy on this one.

“I’m sorry for risking my scholarship,” she began. “I got to campus and messed up trying to figure everything out.”

Renee nodded. “Finding balance is always a challenge.”

“I went out too much and at first it was fun, but then it felt like it was just easier than facing my fears head-on.”

“What are you afraid of, sweet pea?”

Tansy’s eyes turned glassy. “Letting you down? Turning out to be a fraud?” She laughed ruefully before rubbing her eyes. “Too bad I ended up doing both.”

“You aren’t a fraud, Tans.”

“Coming here and being surrounded by so many insanely talented people, it was wicked intimidating.”

Renee looked directly into the camera as she spoke. “I get it but I know you. You’ll find your way. And all those big fish better watch out. I know you’ve got more talent in your little fin than they do total. Got it?”

“Got it,” she said, smiling. Tansy looked down at her comforter before raising her eyes back toward the screen. “Mom? Most of all, I’m sorry for what an awful daughter I’ve been. You’ve always given me the world, and you’re my absolute best friend. I’m sorry I’ve been an asshole.”

Renee felt the tears well up in her eyes, and she swallowed hard. “Don’t swear, honey.”

“You can send me some soap to wash out my mouth.”