The week absolutely flew by. I kept my word about technology and stayed off of my phone. It was a bit difficult, as I knew that some of my fans that enjoyed reading my daily Twitter posts would be upset, but I knew it was for the best. I needed to decompress. Taking a step back from the outside world did wonders in helping me to accomplish that goal.

That wasn't to say I turned lazy. I helped Austin out with the farm and worked out a few times with Olena. That woman really should have become a trainer on the side. She could kick anybody into shape. Of course, with the combination of working out and riding so much, I knew I must have lost at least ten pounds in one week alone. I made a promise to myself to keep up with my new workout routine, though. It was nice to feel so awake without downing cup after cup of caffeine. Plus, I slept better at night.

Ma and I talked a lot. We sat down most evenings and just talked. It was surprisingly easy, actually, to open up to her. It felt like making up for lost time. The highlights of our discussions were always different. Sometimes it was about our rocky past, and other times it was about what we saw in the future. We covered trivial topics, like the weather or a sports game, and we somehow managed to get onto the topic of relationships. I don't even know what exactly brought it up. Austin probably leaked that I was interested in someone, and of course as a woman who loves romance, she jumped on the possibility of a whirlwind, fairytale ending.

"So, is there a boy?"

I chuckled. "Ma, I'm not sixteen years old. If there was a boy, it would be a man."

Ma laughed. "Well, tell me who it is! What does he look like? How old is he? Where's he from? What does he do for a living?"

"Slow down, Ma! Take a breath!" She quieted down but shot me an impatient look. "There is someone. Who told you?"

She waved a hand. "That's beside the point." Yep, it was totally Austin. I was going to get him later. "C'mon, Claire! Elaborate! I want details! When can I meet him?"

I sighed. "It might be a while before that happens. We haven't really been a couple that long, and since the both of us are musicians, our schedules are kind of crazy. It's hard to find time to spend together."

"He's a musician?"

"Yes, he's part of a group named Pentatonix. They've really grown in popularity this past year or so, and they're preparing for the release of their next album. It's great. Their fans are amazing, and they're all so sweet."

"Who are you with?"

"His name is Avi. He's the bassman. He's from California, and he has an older brother and an older sister. He's great, Ma." I smiled, despite the sadness I felt at not seeing him for such a long time. "He's everything I could have ever hoped for. He's so sweet and caring." I smirked. "We didn't have the easiest beginning, though."

And so, I told her the story. I told her of how we started out as something like friends, went through some rough seas, and then ended up where we were now. I told her of how much I missed him, how not having him near me hurt like a part of me was brutally torn apart. Even not being able to hear his voice left me in tears many nights, and I couldn't sleep because the feeling of abandonment crept up around the edges of darkness.

"Oh, sweetheart," Ma empathized, trying to comfort me as the tears became sobs. She wrapped me in her arms like she did when I was little.

"Does it ever get easier?"

"I'm afraid not. But that's what love is about. For every moment of joy when the two of you are together, there is a moment of pain when you are apart. It never goes away, and the feeling of being left alone never fades."

"I trust him, Ma. I do. I just..."

"Shh. It's all right. Fear is often irrational, sweetie." She dried my eyes. "Look, you go back to your place tomorrow. Why don't you call Avi and talk for a while? It will make you feel better. Or do one of those Skype things the kids talk about."

"Facetime?"

Ma nodded. "Yes, that. You'll find that the distance is probably affecting him just as much, Claire, if he's the man you've described to me."

"He's so much more, Ma."

She kissed my forehead. "Just make sure he meets me before he proposes."

"Ma!" I called indignantly. She simply laughed.

Austin walked in, took stock of the room, and looked confused. "What's going on here? Claire looks like she tried to drown herself in her tears, and Ma is laughing. This isn't adding up."

"You're sister is in love, dear. Nothing to do with love makes sense."

I shot Austin a glare. "You want to know something that also didn't make sense? I don't understand how Ma suddenly realized I had a boyfriend when I've never mentioned it to her."

Austin looked innocent. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said and promptly walked out of the room, leaving Ma and me in near hysterics.