Chapter 3
Once Joey returned home, she went straight to her room. She flopped down on her bed with a sigh. She needed to talk to someone about the life-altering news that Dawson had just dropped on her. She knew that Jen was the only person that would be able to ease her mind. Joey slowly picked up the phone, thinking through the exact words she wanted to say to Jen. She dialed Jen's number and sighed as she waited for her friend to pick up. Jen was sitting on her bed, thoroughly engaged in the music that was playing through her headphones, when the phone beside her rang.
"Hello," Jen said, a little annoyed at the interruption.
"Jen," Joey said into the phone.
"Joey," Jen said.
"Yeah, it's me," Joey told Jen.
"How are you?" Jen asked.
"Listen Jen, um, there is something that I need to talk to you about," Joey told her, completely ignoring Jen's question.
"Let me guess, you need to talk to me about Dawson right?" Jen asked Joey.
"Jen, just hear me out," Joey told her.
"What's going on Jo?" Jen asked her.
"Well, you know how you told me that I needed to talk to Dawson?" Joey asked Jen.
"I made a huge mistake didn't I?" Jen said, sighing.
"No, you didn't make the mistake Jen. Dawson did," Joey told her friend.
"How do you see that?" Jen asked, confused.
"Well, at first I will admit that I was a little mad at you for not telling me what was going on but then once I thought about it the more I realized that Dawson should have just told me," Joey told Jen.
"I agree. I am sorry that I was the person that knew first. It never should have been that way," Jen told Joey.
"Why did Dawson come to you first?" Joey asked, curious.
"I think he felt that he needed to come to me because I was safe," Jen stated.
"What do you mean by 'safe'?" Joey asked.
"There is a lot of history between you and Dawson. I think he thought that by coming to me first would be safe because there are no strings attached. He knew that he couldn't hurt me," Jen stated. Joey just nodded. Jen could tell by Joey's silence that she needed more assurance.
"Joey, Dawson cares about you. He would never want to hurt you and he know that this would so I was there to offer comfort, just like I am here to offer comfort to you," Jen told her sweetly.
"Thanks Jen. For everything I mean," Joey said.
"I don't deserve it but you're welcome," Jen told Joey.
"Jen," Joey said.
"Yeah," Jen said.
"I am glad that you were the person Dawson came to. If it wasn't me, I am happy to know that you were there for him," Joey told Jen, kindly.
"Friends again?" Jen asked.
"Friends forever," Joey told Jen.
"I love you Jo," Jen said.
"I love you too," Joey said. With that, both girls hung up.
Within minutes of getting off the phone with Jen, Bessie yelled for Joey. Upon hearing her sister's voice, Joey made her way downstairs. She found her sister in the kitchen cleaning.
"Sit down Joey," Bessie said once she spotted her. Joey did as she was told while Bessie sat down along side her. Bessie slid a letter with Joey's name printed on it towards her sister. Joey recognized that handwriting; it was her mother's.
"What's this?" Joey asked, gently holding the letter in her hand.
"It's a letter that Mom wrote before she died. She told me to save it for the day that you got into college," Bessie told her.
Joey got a perplexed look on her face and wrinkled her nose. "What are you talking about?" Joey asked.
"This," Bessie said smiling as she handed Joey a big envelope.
Joey studied the envelope carefully. She noticed that it was addressed to her, Josephine L. Potter, no mystery there. It was not until she read 'Worthington College' in the top right hand corner that it all became real. Joey gasped. This was the moment that she had been waiting for her whole life.
"Oh my god, it came," Joey said excitedly.
"It sure did," Bessie said.
"Come on, open it Jo," Bessie pressed.
"Wait, Bessie don't you think the letter is a little premature? I mean, what if I didn't get in," Joey stated.
"Oh, you got in," Bessie told Joey.
"How do you know? The envelope is still sealed," Joey said.
"Joey, you've been working towards this goal your whole life. It's your dream. I have faith in you," Bessie told her sister.
"Thanks," Joey said.
"Come on, open it," Bessie urged.
"Bessie, you do realize that what's inside this envelope will determine my entire future. It's the difference between becoming a successful journalist or busting tables for the rest of my life," Joey said.
"Would you stop over analyzing your life and just open it already," Bessie urged, again.
"Okay, okay," Joey said.
Joey took a deep breath before slowly placing her index finger under the flap of the envelope, slowly moving it along breaking the seal. Once the seal was broken, she slowly slid out the piece of paper that was inside. Joey eyed the letter and read the first line. It read:
Dear Josephine Potter,
Worthington College is pleased to offer you admittance for the fall semester of 2001.
Joey stared at the words in awe. She, Josephine Lillian Potter, had been accepted into Worthington College, one of the most prestigious schools in the country.
"So, what does it say?" Bessie asked.
"It's says I got in. I did it," Joey said, as a huge simile spread across her face.
"Congratulations! I am so proud of you," Bessie said, hugging her little sister.
"And Mom would be too," Bessie whispered softly into Joey's ear.
"This is unreal. I can't believe this," Joey said.
"Thank you for believing in me...and for always being there for me. I couldn't have done it without you," Joey said, hugging her sister.
"Are you going to open the letter from Mom?" Bessie asked Joey once they had parted.
"I am not quite ready yet," Joey told her.
"Take all the time you need Joey," Bessie told her. With that, Joey made her way to her room.