Chapter 10 - THE DAY I RETURNED TO COLUMBIA
Ethan encouraged me to return to school.
I resisted.
I was twenty-seven.
A mother.
A former student who had dropped out.
I felt too old.
Too far behind.
Too tired.
But Ethan refused to let me dismiss the idea.
"Rosa."
I looked at him.
"You loved science."
I smiled sadly.
"That was a long time ago."
He shook his head.
"Not that long."
I looked away.
"I have Lily."
He smiled.
"So do I."
I stared.
He continued.
"We can raise her together."
My eyes filled.
"I don't want you paying for everything."
He nodded.
"Then we'll find another way."
I applied for financial aid.
Scholarships.
A part-time research assistant position.
And eventually, I received an acceptance letter.
Columbia University.
I stared at the screen.
Then began crying.
Ethan found me in the kitchen.
"What happened?"
I looked up.
"I'm going back."
His face lit up.
"Rosa."
I laughed through tears.
"I'm going back to school."
May you like
He hugged me.
And for the first time in years, I felt like the girl I'd been before fear changed everything.
