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She smiles. “Yeah, kind of like that.”
I take a bite of my omelet. “Did Dad know?”
“We may have talked about the possibility once or twice.”
“And?”
“And…” She bites her cheek. “He has never really been interested in talking about you growing up. I think the topic is still too much for him. Eventually, he won’t be your protector anymore. Someone else will be, and he doesn’t like that.”
“And the thought of me, I dunno, taking care of myself is too much for him, too?”
“Always,” she jokes.
I exhale a laugh. “Right.” Her phone vibrates on the counter again, this time three times in quick succession. “Okay. Who is texting you?” I ask. “Is it important?”
“It’s just your aunt,” she says, picking it up and swiping the notifications away. “She’s gloating.”
“About what?”
She hesitates. “Well, us moms had a little… bet.”
“About what?”
“About you and Connor.”
My cheeks burn. “Are you serious?”
“I thought you’d get together in high school! Alyssa did, too. Daisy? Well…” She curses into her mug. “She’s always been better at these things than I have.”
I let my head fall into my hands, and I groan.
Mom laughs and reaches out to rub my back. “It could always get worse.”
“Can it?” I ask, raising my head.
“Yes,” she answers seriously. “Your problems are… so small. So small.”
“Mom…”
“None of this will matter in a year.”
“Mom.”
“Six months.”
“Mom.”
“Okay.” She leans closer to me. “It’s all going to be fine, Dana.”
“Really?”
She nods. “I promise.”
I rest my head on her shoulder and sigh. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do,” I say. “Dad won’t even look at me. Alex and Ben hate me. Connor isn’t talking to me, either.” I sigh. “Mom, why are men…”
“You got an end to that question for me?”
“No, just why?” We laugh together. “Why are men?”
