#Chapter 227 – Breakfast

I sit for a moment, my hand in Luca’s, considering my options. Part of me wants to push back – to just tell my parents to spend the money for me as they’ve always done. But still another part accepts that what they’re saying is right – that I’ve been insisting for months now that I’m not a little girl and that I should be able to make my own choices. Plus, part of me wonders…well, whether anything can be done for the people of Jackson’s world, those in the Community who are suffering, or perhaps who have escaped like he has? If something can be done, and I can help it with these resources…I’ll want to do that. “Okay,” I say softly, and I raise my eyes to meet my parents. Dad works hard to keep his expression stern but mom gives in, beaming at me. “And…I can take a few days? To talk to Luca, and to…make some decisions together about how it should be spent?” “Yes, love,” mom says, leaning forward to give my arm a fond squeeze. “We’ll set up a video call for a few days from now