The plan was to drive all the way down to San Diego in two and a half days, turn around and start the college visits on the way back.

Their first stop was UC San Diego. Ellen was looking forward to seeing the campus and the nearby town. She’d been to Southern California, but not San Diego, and had always heard it was a wonderful coastal town. She was also thinking she might get at least one item on her challenge list checked off there. Assuming she had the courage. But before they got there, she had to have a conversation with her son.

Around twelve thirty, Keith pulled into a McDonald’s just outside Portland. After he opened the door, he stood and faced the group.

“Thirty minutes, people. Use your gift cards. Remember, you are responsible for maintaining possession of your gift cards. If you lose them, you will go hungry.”

Ellen was facing him, with the kids well behind them. She grinned as he spoke, knowing there was no way he would let anyone on the bus miss a meal.

Rather than give the students cash, she and Keith had bought lots of gift cards. They would be handed out before each meal, then collected when they were done. Everyone had worked hard to raise plenty of money to fund the trip. One of the parents had even donated Marriott points, allowing them to stay for free at several hotels up and down the route.

“Use the bathroom,” he continued, his voice stern. “I want to drive straight through to Medford. It’s four hours. I need you to go now so you can hold it for four hours.”

“You’re just so tough,” she said quietly, so she wouldn’t be overheard. Keith winked.

Andy groaned. “Coach, we got it. We can manage lunch and the bathroom.”

“We’ll see about that.”

With that, he went down the stairs. Ellen followed. She helped him pass out the gift cards, then fell into step with Cooper.

“Can we have lunch together?” she asked with a fake smile, knowing she couldn’t put off her confession any longer.

He looked at her. “Really, Mom?”

“Just this once. I promise not to make a habit of it.” She hesitated, feeling her smile fade. “I need to talk to you about something.”

His face tightened with concern. She knew he would take her request as yet more proof that she couldn’t be left on her own, but that would quickly change when she told him about his dad. She’d already put it off long enough. They were only a few days away from arriving in Los Angeles. If Cooper was going to set something up with Jeremy, it had to happen now.

They placed their order then she claimed a relatively quiet table in the back. Cooper waited for the food and carried the tray toward her.