I could see the surprise on everybody's face. "Hey, it's time I start thinking about my future," I said. "I can't expect Mom and Dad to foot that kind of bill, and I've only got five years in which to save enough to pay my way in."
Ann was at a loss for words. Mike was nodding his head, agreeing with me. "That's pretty profound Patti. Very mature thinking."
"Yeah," I sighed. "The problem is, at my age, there aren't a lot of jobs available."
"That depends on what you're willing to do," Mike said. "There's work out there, but most kids are too lazy or think the job is beneath them. If you're really serious, I think I can help you find something that pays reasonably well."
"Mike! The poor girl is still in the hospital. And I don't want to see her grades suffer because of work."
"Mom," I butted in quickly. "I promise you that if in any class this year at any time, if I get less than an A, I will stop working."
Cathy's jaw dropped. "Hey Pete, this ain't St. John's anymore you know."
I nodded. I knew, but I also knew that High School was the least of my worries. I had passed easily enough my first time through and hardly ever cracked open a book. Learning had always come fairly easy to me; I just never used it before. Doing it a second time should be a breeze, especially since I now knew exactly what teachers looked for.
Ann was about to speak but Mike cut her off. "You're that serious Patti? And you think you can pull off straight A's?"
"Dad, I know I can do it!"
"Ann," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "We always complained that we didn't get the chances we felt we deserved and we said we would never limit our own kids when we had them. Now Patti seems determined to follow her dream. The very least we can do is support her."
Ann got a bit teary eyed as she agreed. I slid out of bed and hugged them. "Thanks Mom." And I realized how much taller than her I was. Then I hugged Mike, nearly able to look him in the eyes. "Thanks Dad... I won't let you down."