“Really?” I shrieked, immediately covering my mouth once I realized how loudly that had come out. “Wait, what does seeing someone mean in your book? Have you actually gone on more than four dates with him?” Four was normally her limit before she broke things off and moved on. I don’t know if she just hadn’t found the right guy, or she just wanted to see what her options were.
“Yes, more than four,” she responded dryly and then proceeded to tell me all about the guy, whose name was Will, and he was funny, smart, sexy, and I’m pretty sure Zoey was already in love with him. I wasn’t going to mention that little tidbit to her, though. She tended to be a little standoffish when it came to relationships sometimes. I think it had a lot to do with her high school experience, so she didn’t let people in very easily.
“Well, I need to go get ready. For my date.” Zoey grinned widely again, giddy about her time with Will and I couldn’t have been happier for her.
“’kay, let me know if you need any help,” I called after her, reaching for my ringing phone at the same time.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Adelaide.” Oh no, apparently I’d done something wrong.
“Yes, Mother,” I replied, preparing for a fight. We hadn’t really talked recently, so it had been a while since the last time I heard that tone of voice from her.
She sighed loudly. “I know we haven’t spoken recently, but I was just calling to see how things were.” It sounded like she was more put out by calling me than anything, like she felt she had to call me. I always was under the impression that it was like a motherly duty, that they got off on checking in and stalking their children. Not my mom, apparently. I really don’t know why I expected anything more.
“Things are going really good. I’m keeping my grades up, still working at Shorty’s, and Justin and I are still going strong. He asked me to move in with him.”
“Hmm.” She clicked her tongue several times and I braced myself for what she would have to say about that. “Well, do you really think that’s a good idea? I mean, he’s a nice boy and all, but don’t you think things are moving a little quickly? I really don’t want you to destroy your future over some boy that we all know will probably do exactly the same thing he did to you the first time.”
Yup, no matter how much I braced myself, I could never be prepared for one of my mom’s lashings. Coming from her, they hurt even worse.
“I thought you liked Justin. And how exactly would I be destroying my future by moving in with him? Sure, it’s not the most conventional thing to do, but neither is moving on to husband number three.” She hadn’t said much about the new guy in her life, but knowing my mother, there were already talks of marriage. She liked to move things quickly along, too, but of course, she was judging me.
“Oh, Adelaide, I’m not even going to argue with you this time. It seems as if your mind is already made. But you need to get yourself to the doctor. We don’t need another baby on the way from you.”
“Really, Mother?”
“Yes, really, Adelaide. I know you think I’ve been cold about that whole situation, but I did what I thought was best for everyone. So, please just go to the doctor.”
“I already did. Everything checked out just fine.”
“And you think I’m actually going to believe you?”
“Check the insurance,” I snapped. It wasn’t something I really wanted to talk about again. Callie had gone with me for support. Once I realized that Justin and I were back together for good, I figured it would be for the best. Callie had even gone into the room with me, standing by my head so she wouldn’t have to see my downstairs business, and holding my hand while I squeezed my eyes shut the whole time. It wasn’t as bad as I expected, but it wasn’t a fun time either. I couldn’t imagine any woman actually finding it any fun whatsoever. So, I was back on birth control—only pills this time—and would remain kid-free until who knows when.
“Fine!” she huffed loudly. “Well, I guess I’ll talk to you later then.” The call ended before I could even say goodbye, and honestly, I was relieved. It was a good thing we were far away from each other. I definitely don’t think I could handle living near her again, if that were even possible. She never really said where she moved after leaving Gerald, for all I knew she’d moved across country to California.
Wherever she was, she could stay there forever for all I cared. At least I had Grams in my life, she was more of a mother to me than my own had ever been, and I guess I could live with that. The one thing I did know was if I ever got the chance to be a mom again, I wouldn’t be anything like my own.
JUSTIN CAME OVER two days after asking me to move in with him, loaded down with boxes, and attacked the mess that was my room. It didn’t seem like I could have that much stuff in such a small amount of space, but I did. “Do you really need this many shoes, princess?” He held up a box of shoes that I’m almost certain I had never even worn, and I rolled my eyes.