My Dad doesn't forget like I thought he would. Like my mother hoped he would.

Instead he comes home with research; print-outs of studies that show kids who have part-time jobs in high school are more independent, successful, entrepreneurial.

"Where on earth did you get these, Todd?"

"You're no the only one who can do research, Olivia." His voice is mild, but it has the same firmness I've heard him use when when explaining to a prospective home-buyer that no, they can't have a full-treed private lot, and still be in walking distance to three coffee shops and a pub.

My mom's eyes flash. She literally rolls up her sleeves.

"Todd, I would be very happy for Jen to get a job - a part-time job, that fits around her riding schedule. Spencer said Jen is very talented. So talented that he offered her a chance to ride Artemis. He says, on the right horse, she could make it to the Royal this fall."

"Does Jen even want to ride Artemis? Is Jen interested in going to the Royal? Jen just lost her horse in a showing accident. Maybe she'd like a break." Since my dad doesn't even look at me as he asks, I'm assuming he doesn't want me to answer. Turns out I'm right. "Listen Liv, George Morris is nearly seventy and he's one of the best riders in the world; it's not like Jen is going to run out of time."

The score is one-all. Which means we need to keep going.

"Jennefer gave up tennis, and soccer, and everything else, for riding. And we've invested so much time and money into her riding and showing. How can we just walk away now?"

My dad nods, as though to thank her for proving his point. "Exactly! Jennefer's riding has been so expensive. It would be nice to have her earn some money, for a change, instead of us forking out even more."

Two-two. Next round.

My mom sweeps her arms in my direction, but doesn't break her eye contact with my dad. "How can we let a seventeen year old live on an island, in the country, with no car, for ten weeks?"

My dad makes a little tsking noise, like this one is just too easy.

"It's not like we're dumping her on a deserted island all by herself. Cassidy and Liam are shouting distance way. They'll watch her."

It was close. I have to agree with dad that it wasn't my mom's best argument, but she's hanging on. Tied at three, and we keep going.

"Can Jen even look after the cottage properly?" There's a quiver in my mom's voice as she launches into this one. "It's an investment, Todd. We paid all that money to have the floors refinished. If she leaves even one window open during a rainstorm, you know how the wind will blow the water in..."

With this argument my dad's head starts shaking. He's the real estate agent, be he's not buying her property value argument. "Jen is perfectly capable of closing windows, and moving the lawn, and doing the dishes. What's the point of having a cabin if nobody's allowed to use it?"

All three of us know my mom's beaten. IF I had a trophy, I'd hand it to my dad. he's not done, though. "I had to work hard for everything I got. I started delivering papers at nine, and I've worked ever since. It was good for me; it'll be good for her."

My mom doesn't shake his haand, but she might as well. She signals her defeat by silently piling the dinner dishes in front of her, shaking her head, nd standing to carry them to the counter.

"You'll have a great summer, Jen." My dad squeezes my shoulder, pushes back from the table, and heads upstairs to change for his evening tennis game.

I gulp .My breath shallows and quickens. I'm going. Oh. My. God. I'm really going.

I started this, not because I desperately wanted to go to the island; more because I was angry at my mom for not telling my about Cassidy's email. Be careful what you wish for.

There's no way I can stay home now. The onlything my mom would hate more than losing this argument, is finding out she lost it for othing - that I don't even want to go.

What do I have to keep me here, anway? Tora's quitting riding, so if I show, it will be alone. And if I can't get excited about showing Artemis, what horse would excite me.

My mom wouldn't let me bum around the house all day so I'd have to find a job. Doing what? Serving coffee? Selling something door-to-door?

The cottage is beautiful, and Cassidy and Liam are great, and I'll miss Ace the same amount here, or there, and I can bring his chunk of mane with me....so, yes! I'm going!

The first flutter I've felt since Ace died, ripples through my stomach. It might not be pure joy, or excitement - it might be tinged with nervousness - but it's a real, actual, feeling, and it's gripping me, and I'm glad to be having it.