"I'm not sure. If I find a gig out there, I might stay for a year or so."

Catherine's breath had caught in her throat. "A year? Are you serious? I thought you wanted to go to the shore with me this summer. Do your parents know about these plans of yours?"

"They know I'm going. Kurt's going with me. And if we get there and get a gig, then I'll let them know that I'm staying out there because I have a job. Hey, I'm eighteen now and I can do what I want. I thought you'd be happy for me. But I can tell just from looking at you and from your voice that you're not supporting me."

"Support you? I've always supported you and your band. But you decide to tell me the day before you're leaving that you're going to the West Coast and you might not be back for a year! I guess you just don't love me enough. And I wonder if you ever did."

Catherine turned away from him, so emotionally upset, so hurt she felt like melting right there on the stop.

Sam moved close to her and tried to turn her around, but she wouldn't do it. She pulled forward and away from him.

"Cat, I was going to just go and not tell you because of how you're acting right now. I should have known you wouldn't understand. You only get a chance like this maybe once in your life, if you're lucky."

"Yes, lucky. Well, I guess you're the lucky one."

She'd heard him walk away, heard the car door slam. Listened to him speed away. She'd never turned around to watch him leave. She just couldn't.