Chapter 16, the final chapter. Conclusion

Chapter 16, the final chapter. Conclusion.

Erin came back to college at the end of the summer to finish her senior year. Even though she had a dorm on campus, she stayed mostly with me. She brought over a few items to her dorm, but most of her belongings remained. She drove my car to campus each day and we learned to adjust to sharing one vehicle. Since she wasn’t getting wild and partying with her friends, her grades excelled and she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Erin and I were excited and her parents were thrilled. We would go to visit them during holiday breaks, and they had grown to love me. Sure - I was a woman, an older one, but possessed the warmth, kindness, wisdom, nurture, and stability they were grateful their daughter was getting from me. Erin was happy that her parents were happy about our relationship.

Erin decided she was going to pursue post graduate studies at the same college. She moved in with me permanently. That’s when I felt we had a future together.

Since I was no longer attracted to, or interested in men, I declared myself a lesbian – without a rebuttal from Erin. We both made a joint declaration to our family and friends – that didn’t know already – and on social media, that we were lesbians in love and committed to each other. We were greeted with love, warmth, and congratulations.

As for Trevon, I didn’t see or communicate with him after the national championship post-game celebration. He was the #2 pick in the draft. He and Karina moved to the other side of the country to join his new team. As a rookie, they made him their franchise player. I’ve heard Trevon and Karina plan to marry and start a family together. I still have his jersey. Erin threw Ryan’s away - along with her memories of him.

I don’t have good news about Ryan. He was picked late in the second round, going to a really good team, already filled with talented players. The competition was tough and he didn’t get a starting position. Unfortunately, with his huge signing bonus and salary, it fed his increased cravings for wild parties, women, sex, alcohol, and drugs. Julia left him when things got out of control and it affected his performance on the field. He never played and was cut after his first season. He’s broke and relies on the generosity of others to eat, have a place to sleep, and get by. As his stepmother, I felt I should show more of an effort to reach out and help him recover. It would be detrimental to my relationship with Erin. I decided to stay away and let him figure it out on his own.

I’m so blessed to be with and in love with an amazing woman like Erin. I believe she feels the same about me. It would be so wonderful if we could marry and start a family together. The time is not right yet. So…… I wait…..….. I hope……… and I dream.