Prompt - A Life of Its Own

[brokendoors]

This scene happens before an “adult movie” date with Casper. Yes. That one.

“So much has happened in the past year, Mrs. Livingston.” Ivy’s just dropped Caleb off with his grandparents for the weekend. His grandfather had whisked him off to the shed outside to work on a bird house. His grandmother had ushered Ivy into the kitchen for some tea.

Ivy’s pushing ice around and around by a spoon in her sweet tea. “And it’s all been good. Part of me expects the bottom to drop out, and the other’s got these huge rose-colored glasses on.”

“Can’t stop smiling, can you?” Jessica Livingston props her hip against the island. “You’ve got something really special there, in that Nexus.” Jessica doesn’t really understand what the Nexus really is, but she’s decided it’s some sort of international city, which works for everyone involved. “Caleb’s doing well. Thriving, in fact! His asthma is better; he’s not as shy now.”

“Yes. He loves his teachers, and he’s got a ton of little friends.”

“And you’ve been able to remind yourself that you’re not just Caleb’s mother.”

Ivy blushes. “Yes ma’am.”

“That’s good too. You deserve something wonderful.”

“He is. He really is. Casper’s great with Caleb, and Caleb loves him a lot. But.. now that we’ve got a few minutes, there’s something I wanted to discuss with you.”

“Certainly, sweetheart.”

“When I first moved into the apartment, when I was first considering it, I had an idea.” Jessica starts to say something, but Ivy raises a hand. “I thought that perhaps I could go back to school. Get a degree. Maybe find another hotel to manage. I’ve got a ton of experience at the Sunrise, but … a BS in hospitality management would mean I could provide so much more for Caleb. And maybe I could repay you for what you’ve given us.” Once she’d managed to give in and accept help from her inlaws.

“You don’t owe us a cent, Olivia Tangerine Walker.” Yes, Jessica knew her whole name, and knew exactly when and how to use it. Ivy winced. “I know we didn’t get off on the right foot seven years ago. But I’d like to think we’ve become family. Caleb is my grandson.”

Ivy doesn’t look convinced. “Okay.” She’ll argue about it later. “The point is, though .. for a while, it wasn’t really on my mind. But one night, after Caleb was in bed, and I was sitting on the couch watching TV... it just came back. It would be easy to go to college now. I’ve got someone who can babysit.” She totally means her inlaws, but Casper too! “And it’s only four years. Four years after so many years of struggling will be easy.”

“The idea’s gotten bigger and more insistent in your head. It went and got a life of it’s own.”
“Yes. I applied to a college here in town.” One that she’d learned that the Nexus would honor, too, so she could get a job offers there, as well.
“And I don’t even have to ask. You were accepted, weren’t you.”
She grins, and nods. “Yes ma’am!”