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have plenty of room.  We can caravan up there.  I’ll take the convertible and you girls can follow in the wagon.  Mom will drive with you.  She hates driving with the top down.  I’ll take Josh.  Sound like a plan?”
    Taryn was chewing on a bagel – a blueberry one.  They were home relaxing while Mrs. Wright was in the garden and her brother played tennis. She missed the details of her Father’s spiel while she daydreamed but she could ascertain that her dad was planning a getaway weekend.
    “Sure Dad whatever.  Check with Grandma and let me know which weekend works.  I’m sure the girls will come.”
    Taryn had a casual waitressing job at a local café.  She could pick up shifts when she liked so she remained flexible in the summer.  She liked the work and did it well. Taryn was a friendly and polite person so the job suited her. Her tips were very good and she put that away for school. They had great bagels too.  A big bonus for her because she loved them – all flavors all of the time.
    She fell asleep.
    “Hey sleepy wake up beautiful………”
    Her boyfriend Brett had arrived.  He let himself in and made himself comfortable.  He was on the football team.  He was a nice guy who was good for a high school romance.  They had attended  the prom together and spent a lot of time as a couple.  Brett was going to college at Syracuse so they would be going separate ways.  It was unsaid and they would remain close friends.  It was the closest she had come to being in a serious relationship.  She never felt that feeling . Maybe someday.
    “Hey Brett.” She kissed him hello with eyes still closed. “What’s up? What time is it? Are we still going to Jen’s tonight?”
    “I had planned on it.  We have a couple of hours before we go so we can just hang out.  Does your Mom need any help out back?”
    “Sure, go on back.  I’m gonna grab a sweater and call Beth.  I want to make sure she is going too.  I won’t see those guys for a while and I want to see them while we’re all in one spot.”
    Jen was going to Maine for school and Beth to Ohio.  They had been tight pals for years and it was going to be a major adjustment for all of them.
    The night was fun.  They grabbed some food and talked for a couple of hours.  Beth had brought along a couple of wine coolers and it was an ideal evening.
    ****
     
     
    With a week left before school it was time to pack.  It was not urgent because school was close enough to pick up things within a couple of weeks if they were left behind.  She still had ample gear to fill two cars.  Taryn was not exactly a clothes-horse but she was a girl after all and she liked options.  She was comfortable in jeans and a sweater but ready with a skirt when it was appropriate.  She was preppy and casual in her dress.
    Her athletic gear came along.  She might play on an intramural team if the opportunity presented.  She wasn’t certain of her major yet and planned to think about it while she took the requirements for a liberal arts degree.  Vocals would be her concentration and some time for piano.  A career in music was a dream but she had to be prepared for a competitive market.
    Good byes to Jen and Beth were tearful.  She and Brett had a farewell dinner out and agreed to write and call often.  It was a goodbye of sorts but no feelings were hurt.
    “Everything seems ready for the morning.  Let’s have a nice dinner and just be pleasant.” Mrs. Wright spoke as if it wouldn’t be a nice family dinner.  How else would it be in their home?  Impeccable manners and congeniality were how she demanded things.  It was uncomfortably sterile, but all they knew.
    It was a great spread.  Mrs. Wright outdid herself with a rack of lamb and  asparagus.  Desert was a strawberry ice cream cake from a local bakery.  Grandma and Grandpa were down from New Hampshire and they were always welcome guests in the Wright house.  They were tender folks and loved to spend