AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I studied hard all through high school, knowing full well I’d have to rely on scholarship money if I wanted to make my dreams come true. Gigi had been thrilled when I’d gone to her with my plans, even going so far as offering to pay for college, but I refused. I had to prove to myself that I wasn’t the waste of space my parents continually accused me of being.
Six years later, I graduated with a master’s degree in education with a focus on mathematics from NYU Steinhardt. Gigi was the only family member who attended the ceremony and when she handed me an envelope with a check for twenty-five thousand dollars inside, I broke down and cried in her arms. When I tried to give it back, she scoffed and told me the money was an investment in my future.
“Go make your gigi proud,” she’d said as she kissed me on the cheek.
My cell phone dinged with an incoming text from across the room where I’d set it on the counter. There were only a handful of people who had the number and I’d just left two of them thirty minutes before.
I crossed the room, glass in hand, and immediately regretted the decision.
Dad: There is a rally next month. Your presence is required.
Pompous jerk.
Of course there was no “Hey. How are you doing, daughter of mine.” We didn’t have that type of relationship. Actually, we hadn’t had a relationship at all since I moved out when I started college. For the most part, they’d left me alone and I’d done the same; choosing to spend holidays either alone or with Gigi, which made his text all the more surprising.
The only time he’d ever shown affection toward me was when he was running for some political office, but even then, it was as fake as the knockoff Jimmy Choos I found at TJ Maxx.
Draining the rest of my wine, I ignored the high-handed words, choosing instead to check in with my favorite person in the world.
Me: Hey. How are you?
Gigi: Getting older by the minute, Bear.
She used to call me Gummy Bear as a child, after my favorite candy, but shortened it over the years.
Gigi: How are you? The funeral for your friend’s mom was today, right?
Me: Yeah, it was. She held it together well, though.
Gigi: I didn’t ask about her. What’s wrong?
Even through text messages, she’d always been able to sniff out when something wasn’t quite right. There was no choice but to come clean because she would keep digging until she got what she wanted anyway.
Me: Dad texted.
My phone rang two seconds later.
“Hi, Gigi.”
“What did that sanctimonious windbag want?”
“It’s nice to talk to you too,” I snickered.
“Enough, Bear.”
I sighed and read her the message.
“I knew the minute my daughter brought him home, he was no good, but did she listen? Hell, no. You arenotgoing to some stupid rally, Bear,” she grumbled.
“Never had any intention of attending, Gigi, so you can calm down.”
“Good. Now, tell this old woman…have you met any good-looking mountain men?”
We talked for a short while about my new friends, my job, and her monthly garden club. She was the only one in the club who actually tended her own garden, but said she went to the meetings because they kept her “in the know.”
“If he contacts you again, let me know. I’ll handle his arrogant behind.”
“Thanks, Gigi, but I don’t need you to stand up for me anymore.”
