“This is the one that’ll get me to college,” Sabrina finished her sentence for her.
“That’s wonderful,” her father said, his lips curling into the largest smile she had seen from him in a long time.
“Thanks, Daddy,” she said.
“This is the best news I've heard in weeks,” Anna said, practically jumping up and down in excitement. “I'm so proud of you, baby girl. And you're sure this job will be able to put you through school? I'm not trying to question your math skills, but I just don't see how three months of work can possibly add up to enough money for four years of school.”
“I'll actually end up making more than I need,” Sabrina said. “I’ll save enough for tuition and have a bit for grocery money on the side. I’ll finally be able to put myself through college.”
“You're an incredible young woman, Sabrina,” her father said. “Seriously, I'm proud of you.”
“My daughter will be going to college, huh?” Anna said, looking dreamily toward the ceiling. “Won't that be something?”
“It almost seems too good to be true, but it’s all about to become a reality,” Sabrina said. “This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.”
“What kind of work is it again?” her mother asked.
“I'm a sort of assistant,” Sabrina said. “Among other things.” It was the best explanation she could offer.
“Other things?” Peter asked. He raised one bushy eyebrow at her.
“Yes. That actually brings me to another thing that I need to tell you about this job.” She trailed off and looked to her parents, who returned her stare without speaking. Sabrina gulped a short breath before starting again. “This job means I’m going to have to travel. I’m going to be gone for a while.”
She studied her parent’s expression, trying to guess a response before they spoke.
“How long?” her father finally asked. His smile had faded back to his usual defeated demeanor.
“A few months,” Sabrina said softly, her eyes meeting his gentle gaze. His nod spoke a thousand words that she knew her father couldn’t say.
“Traveling assistant work?” her mother asked, sounding skeptical.
“It’s kind of a unique position.” Sabrina directed her gaze toward her mom. “I’ll be an assistant for someone while they tour the country.”
“Tour the country?” her mother said, her eyes going wide.
Sabrina nodded. “That’s why the pay is so good, Mom. I wouldn't be able to make a quarter of this amount if I stayed in town.”
For a few moments, a heavy energy filled the trailer, shrinking the already small space.
“Are you sure it's safe?” Anna asked.
“Yes, Mom,” Sabrina assured her. “I made sure everything is on the up and up after the first phone call. One of their references was the chief of police. It's a real job.”
“You spoke with the chief of police?” Peter asked, slightly surprised. “That's a pretty good reference.”
Silence filled the trailer for a moment as her parents took in her words.
“I realize that this might be a little shocking, but I honestly didn't know it was a traveling position when I applied,” Sabrina said, breaking the silence. “I'll miss you guys so much, but I won't be gone too long. Just a few short months.”
“We're going to miss you too,” her father said, his words potent and sincere. “But you know, as much as I hate to see you leave, I want you to know that I totally support your decision. If I had an opportunity like this, you can bet your butt that I'd be all over it. I think this is a good thing. I'm proud of you for taking the leap and going for it.”
“Baby, your father is right.” Anna's tone was the softest it had been all evening. Sabrina even noticed her mother's eyes welling up with tears. “This is a great opportunity. I hope that it's not too good to be true, though.”
“It's not, Mom. It's real, I promise you.” Sabrina smiled. “Police chief, remember?”
“No matter what happens, we'll be here when you get back,” Anna said. “If you don't like it, then come home. Our door is always open, you know that.”
“I will,” Sabrina said. “I definitely will. But I think this will be great. Not just for me, but for all of us. I'll be able to make money that will end up helping us all in the long run.”
I’ll make a ton of money, Sabrina thought. And I’ll get us the hell out of this trailer park.
“Speaking of money, your father and I have to run to work. Peter?” her mother glanced at the clock as she bundled up the papers in front of her. “You ready?” She tilted her wrist in an attempt to signal the time on her watch.
Her father nodded and began his long process of standing up.
Sabrina’s heart grew heavy, drooping in her chest. Too many emotions were crowding her head all at once and she fought to keep them suppressed. While her mother went to fetch a pair of shoes, her father hovered by the table, realizing what neither of them wanted to say. But time was slipping and it pushed Sabrina to speak up.
“So the last thing I wanted to tell you guys is that I’m leaving the day after tomorrow,” she said. “With your work schedules, I’m not sure I’ll get to see you again before then.”
Her father nodded. Before he could respond, Sabrina smiled at him and launching into his chest for a full bear hug.
“Have a safe trip, Sabrina,” Peter whispered, squeezing her tightly. “We're here if you need anything. Anything at all.”
Sabrina released him and looked into his eyes.
“Thanks, Dad. I'll call all the time. I promise.”
“Do I get a hug?” Anna asked, coming up behind her husband.
“Of course,” Sabrina said and pulled her mother close. She was so frail, especially compared to Sabrina's father, and Sabrina almost felt wary about squeezing her too tightly.
Her mother broke the hug and pressed her palms to Sabrina’s cheeks, holding her face a short distance from her own before kissing her daughter’s forehead. There was a sort of bittersweet flutter in Sabrina’s chest. She was excited for the trip, but knew she was going to miss her parents dearly.
After exchanging hugs and goodbyes, her parents left the trailer. Her mom had a tear streaming down her cheek and even Peter's eyes appeared a little bit watery from the occasion. Sabrina watched from the trailer window as the two climbed into the Honda Civic and backed out of the driveway.
Sabrina's eyes fogged and she blinked away the tears before they escaped down her cheek. After a few seconds, a cloud of dust was all that was left in the driveway. Sabrina stared until it cleared. She could never get used to the forced feeling of her parent's disappearance when work came calling.
But I'm going to change that, she thought. This new job is just the beginning. I'm going to do everything in my power to make it so that, one day, my parents won't have to work anymore. I want to give them, and myself, the freedom that we all deserve.
Thump-thump, thump-thump-thump.
She beat the screen door on the neighbor's trailer with the same rhythmic knock she’d been using since her childhood. It was a pattern that hadn’t changed in almost twenty years.