Elizabeth grew up, was graduated from high school, and went away to
college in Miami, where she had been offered a generous scholarship. Miami
seemed like an exotic adventure to her, and she was lured away from the cold
Midwest. Her mother reveled in Elizabeth's adventures. They were best friends,
and even though they mostly communicated by phone and mail, their motherdaughter
relationship stayed strong. Holidays and vacations were happy times
for them, as Elizabeth rarely missed a chance to go back home.