Slathering on sunscreen, I pay extra attention to my face, neck, and arms. My skin is pale and sensitive, and if I do get some color, it’s usually red instead of brown. When we are ready, we walk to the edge of the woods. I can just barely see the trail between the trees. I wonder how far we are going because wilderness seems to stretch forever in front of us. Breaking the silence, Brody asks, “So, tell me, Quince. How did you end up at UT?” He seems genuinely interested, so I begin telling my story. “Jenna has always wanted to go to UT. I grew up hearing all about it, and we are so close, I guess her dream kind of became my dream. I didn’t want to stay in Collier, but I still wanted to be close to my family. What about you?” There is a part of me that cannot believe we are having this conversation. “My dad is an alumnus, and my sister is a senior here. I just always assumed that’s where I would go.
