A Woman's Flight Chapter 13

  She took it as a sign. She was almost so elated by the news that she could hardly contain herself. She knew her mother wouldn’t like the fact that she was going so far, but at the same time she knew that she could get a new start there. She could get the great education she had always wanted, and she could commit herself to growing away from the stifling and almost frustrating conservatism that plagued Texas. She just about yelled in excitement. She didn’t really know how to take the news. She had convinced herself that she was probably never going to leave Texas. She was convinced that she would probably spend the rest of her life feeling stifled. That she would probably never even get accepted anywhere. She had convinced herself that she would probably be living in that God forsaken town until she died. All of a sudden everything had opened up for her. In the first time in Rebecca’s life, she actually felt hope. She actually felt like life was opening up for her. She felt like California would be the land of promise, and that nothing would stop her from achieving her goals.

       Her mom tried to convince her that she should stay. When Rebecca first told her mom, she had said, “Why do you need to go so far? Isn’t everything you need right here anyway? Why would you want to leave your mother here all by herself? You could just stay right here. I could take care of you. We could take care of each other. Why do you want to leave me?” Tears started to stream down her mother’s face. She could see her mom breaking at the thought of losing her only daughter. Rebecca gave her mom a hug and said, “I know it’s a far ways away, but you and I both know that I can’t stay here. I have never been happy here. We both know that. And you should know that more than anyone. I can’t stay here. I am not leaving you. I am leaving here. Just think of the opportunities I could have if I moved out to California, especially if I go to Stanford. I could study law mom. I could help other women who are in the same situation that we had to deal with fight against their husbands and spouses so that they don’t have to feel trapped in their situation. I could do so much good mom. And I can always come and visit.” Rebecca wiped a tear from her mom’s face and gave her mom an extra big hug. Her mom turned to Rebecca and smiled as she said, “When did you get to be so grown?” You really have matured into a beautiful woman. I know you will do well. Just promise to come and visit me ok? Rebecca smiled, “Ok mom. That’s a deal. I don’t think I could stay away from your cooking for too long anyway.”