“Too bad for Beckett then.” Renee stared at the Sleepless in Seattle poster over Tansy’s desk for so long that Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were reduced to blurry peach-colored blobs. Tansy was nine the first time they watched it together. As the credits rolled, she’d declared it the most romantic thing she’d ever seen, and asked to watch it again the next day. It had felt so pure, and so fun, to bond over movies, squee during the grand gestures, and bury faces in pillows during the dark moments. “Since when are you the kind of girl to change yourself based on what a boy thinks?”

She’d raised her better than that, hadn’t she?

“Whatever.” Renee could tell Tansy was rolling her eyes. “Anyways, that was just a kiddie dream.”

“It’s kiddie to want to write great comedies?”

Tansy exhaled. “Look, I get that it’s hard for you, but I’ve grown up a lot since moving out here. I’m changing. I’m not some helpless child who needs Mommy holding her hand all the time.”

Renee closed her eyes, her migraine going up a notch. “If you’re such an adult, how are you keeping up with your schoolwork? It looks like partying is your new major.”

“That’s a stretch.”

“Is it, though?” Renee snapped. “You know, when you came home for winter break, I never considered asking to see your first semester’s grades. And now I’m starting to think that they weren’t as stellar as you claimed.”

When Tansy had reported she’d received straight As her first term, Renee hadn’t thought to ask for actual proof. Tansy was a hardworking, dedicated student. She always had been. One afternoon during her sophomore year, Tansy had actually arrived home in tears, practically inconsolable over receiving a B+ on a history paper.

“I’m not even close to failing out, but thanks for the vote of confidence.” Hurt filled Tansy’s words. “I’m totally maintaining the GPA required to keep my scholarship. I’m not an idiot. So, calm down. Please. I know this must come as a shock but I can chill at frat houses and write an essay on Emily Dickinson. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“Since when do you even care about Greek life? Let me guess. Mr. Shirtless is a frat boy. What a shocker.”

“His name is Beckett! And I am going to Colorado this summer, for as long as I feel like. I’m legally an adult, and I can make my own decisions. And I choose Beckett. I want to spend my summer with him.” Tansy’s anger erupted. “You know what? You’re probably just jealous because when’s the last time you’ve had a boyfriend since Dad left? Oh wait, I know…never!”

The phone went dead.