Question

the mail, is it?
i gave mom an unapologetic smirk to let her know that
it was.
\ill take that, thank you very much,\ she said, holding
out her hand. \if you need magazines, check the recycling
bin.\
\yes, maam,\ i said, and saluted before i handed her
the copy of bon appétit.
i put my headphones back on and grabbed a blank
sheet of paper. i had to get this zine done before dad
came to pick me up....
mom made it seem like this move was no big deal
because wed be back when her new job contract expired.
but two years might as well be forever. two years meant
all of middle school. and i couldnt even imagine what two
years away from dad would feel like. it was a very big
deal. so for the next hour i wrote and cut and pasted a
final plea to mom. i glued the last letter onto a page just as
the doorbell rang to signal that my time was up.

Explanation:

The text mentions that Malú is worried about being away from her dad for two years and makes a final plea to her mom. The key sentence "But two years might as well be forever...It was a very big deal. So for the next hour I wrote...a final plea to Mom" shows that the "very big deal" is related to the separation (being away) and her attempt to change the situation (the plea).

Answer:

Making a final plea to her mom