Lila sent in her applications on a Tuesday night.
Three schools. Weeks of writing. A spreadsheet, thanks to Alex not because he gave instructions, but because he asked the right questions until she figured it out herself.
The last submission went through at 11:47 PM.
She called Leo.
"I did it," she said.
"I knew you would."
"I was so nervous I almost threw up."
"That's normal."
"Normal?"
Leo's voice was soft. "Mom threw up before her final. She told me once, said it only happened that one time."
Lila actually laughed. "She never told me that."
"She didn't want you to worry." Silence, then: "She'd be proud of you, Lila. For doing it anyway."
She looked around the empty apartment, phone pressed against her ear.
"I miss her," she whispered.
"I know."
"Some days it's harder than others."
Leo paused. "Yeah. Harder for me too. But we keep going. That's what she'd want."
Lila nodded, even though he couldn't see.
"Yeah," she said. "I know."
