Page 81 of The Token Yank

“Will you be able to apply toBISHoP?”

“Does being away a whole year hurt your chances of gettingin?”

“Will you come home for Christmas or springbreak?”

“One of the requirements for extending my trip is getting approval from my major, so I will check with the geology department to see if this is kosher. And I will definitely look into how this impacts my BISHoP application. I’m still in the exploratory stage. I’m going to do a lot more research on what extending my trip entails and the ramifications before making a final decision, and I’ll be sure to keep you in the loop every step of the way. I want to see if this is possible and give it my bestshot.”

Rafe gave his parents a cogent, confident answer that stressed communication. He had never sounded so mature in front of them, and for the first time, they seemed to look at him as an adult,too.

“Okay, then,” his mom said with his dad noddingalong.

“And if I do stay, I’ll pay for my flights home to visit. Or maybe you can meet me inLondon?”

But she didn’t seem thrilled. She still had on her concerned momexpression.

“I really do think it’s wonderful that you’ve found this independence, and even though we’re a bit blindsided, we respect your choice.” She couldn’t turn off the psychologist in her. “I just hope you’re not doing all this to stay close to yourboyfriend.”

Rafe was curious how she knew, but then remembered Melody Keener’smom.

“If you really want to be independent, then you need to want to stay in England for you. Not forhim.”

“I know.” Rafe felt his confidence shift ever-so-slightly from ironclad to house ofcards.