“I’m so proud of me,” she says. “But I couldn’t have done it without you.”

I can’t think of anything nicer she could have said to me. All I’ve done is encourage her, buoy her up when she felt like giving up. And of course, I’ve kept her secret.

I’m in touch with Kitty, too. At first we just shared memes via text. Now we speak pretty regularly. I’ve asked her to come and live with us. But she’s still under Mom’s spell. Still doesn’t want to upset her and probably scared to leave Lydia but scared to tell her and have her tell on her or not choose to come with her. I can’t push too hard. I have to be patient and let them find their own way to me. Of course, Mom doesn’t know. I’m hoping when they all find out about Marion, things will shift.

“Have you told Mom?” I ask her. Mom and my sisters had to move to another when Frank sold their trailer. Apparently it’s the exact same size, and on the adjacent lot. Life changes, but everything has stayed the same for them.

“You’re my first call,” she replies. “What am I going to say to her?”

“You have to have a plan before you tell her. She might throw you out on the spot.” I don’t say it, but she needs to be ready to never see Mom again after she tells her the news. “You could leave it until the semester is about to start.”

Silence echoes at the end of the phone.

“I’m impatient. I’ve been just trying to get to this day and now… now I want the rest of my life to start. I don’t want to be stuck in this trailer anymore.”

My heart lifts in my chest like it’s had a dose of helium. I’m so thankful that she wants more from her life. I’ve been preparing for this moment. When we bought the New York house, Byron insisted on getting a place large enough that all my sisters could move in, if that’s what they wanted. I hadn’t told Marion before because I want it all to be her decision.

“Come to New York early, or go to Colorado.” She can keep a close eye on Athena if she goes to Colorado. She knows most things about our life, how Byron and I travel between the two states. “I’m sure the Colorado Club is recruiting this time of year. I can put you in touch with the manager there.”

“You love Star Falls, right?”

Of course I love Star Falls. It’s the place I found my freedom. And my husband. Who, as ever, has great timing. He appears in the doorway.