“You need anything?” Her mom asked, then, taking another step forward toward Juliet.
“Nope,” she popped thep. “I do shows much bigger than this without needing anyone for last-minute prepping,” she reminded her, loftily. “I just ended a whole tour, as you brought up earlier.”
Her mother nodded, glancing away from Juliet as her eyebrows furrowed deeply on her forehead. She swept her hands down the classic-looking spotless white tuxedo dress she wore, accented with red buttons. It was a sign that she was uncomfortable, even before she asked, “Jules, what in the world was that all about this morning?”
Juliet’s jaw tightened so much she was concerned her teeth might crack, agitation lacing through her. She should have seen this coming; she’d only thought it wouldn’t happen because of how much her motherhatedconfrontation.
“Mom, I’m getting ready for my set.” She arched her a look in the mirror, still not looking directly back at her. “I don’t really want to lose focus.”
Usually that would be enough to make her mom turn right around, apologizing for her intrusion.
So, when she didn’t immediately exit, Juliet was shocked. Even more shocked when she took another step forward and said, “I’m worried something is going on with you.”
Now, Juliet did whip around to stare directly at her. She wasn’t even… she didn’t know how to possibly describe what she felt. Incredulous? Angry? Baffled? Hurt?
What the fuck?
“Interesting. You don’t usually express concern about anything going on with me,” she stated, evenly, turning back to look down at the notebook.
She didn’t want to look at her mom. She didn’t want to see the hurt that she knew would flash over her face, because she didn’t enjoy hurting her mother. But she was also unwilling to keep her mouth shut.
Alarmingly, it felt like Darcy’s influence.
Her mom inhaled sharply, then was completely silent for several seconds. Juliet kept her eyes trained on her notebook from Darcy, not looking away from it. Leather-bound with a little tie in the front – it looked like the ones she’d frequently seen Darcy with. But it was the only gift she’d gotten in… she didn’t remember how long from someone that wasthoughtful.
She sometimes received holiday or birthday gifts from her mom, but they were always impersonal. Jewelry, a designer purse. She and Robbie had long decided not to exchange anything; they could both simply purchase anything they wanted for themselves. Laura didn’t give her gifts, because Juliet was her boss and that didn’t feel… right to her.
Think you can fill this up before I fill mine? Prove it. Write your heart out
Darcy had written on the front page. Juliet had pretended to tear it out, but, in all actuality, liked to look at the inscription every time she opened it.
“Because I know you’re always handling your own business,” her mom said, eventually, once she’d found her equilibrium and recovered. Clearly, she wouldn’t tell Juliet that the comment hurt or attempt to dig deeper. Classic Tiffany. “You’re alwaysgood. You’ve got Robbie, your album did so well. I don’t need to be worried. But… you’re in there, back-talking Harrison like that? It’s not like you.”
No, it usually wasn’t. Usually, she was able to keep her mouth clamped shut and let the rage burn through her system. Maybe she’d get a migraine and go sleep it off. Maybe she’d go and get drunk with Laura. Maybe she’d spend the night rage writing songs – sometimes, they were her most passionate and resonant ones!
But her stare was still locked on that notebook, and she heard her phone vibrate, and –
“Harrison called Darcy – someone he has never met, who has become someone–” She bit the rest of that sentence off, unsure of whatever the hell it was going to be, anyway. She took a deep breath, “Someone that’s become a friend to me, trash and a tight piece of ass while we were having brunch, and… you’re going to come to lecture me?”
She closed her eyes, reaching up and rubbing her temples.
“He – you know how Harrison is. He’s particular. And he cares so much about your success, he just–”
Typically, Juliet could get through this. She could usually let her mother tell herself – and thus, Juliet – whatever she needed to hear to make peace with the man she was married to.
But not right now. “You know, Mom? Whether anyone likes it or not, andclearlyI struggled with it: Darcy is incredibly talented. What I said to Harrison is true. Being associated with Darcyisa good thing at this point. Sorry that he doesn’t like it.” She snapped her eyes open, turning to look at her mom again, unable to stop herself from tacking on, “And she has workedsohard to get to where she’s at right now.”
Her mom met her stare this time, her lips pursed as she nodded, taking in Juliet’s words. Before, finally, she asked, “Okay, Jules. I understand that’s how you feel. But… before you go mouthing off like that again, you really need to think about what Harrison said to you. Who paid for your voice lessons to get you to the next level? Who paid for your fancy tutor – who had a focus in poetry to help with your songwriting – while flying you to L.A. to open all these doors you now get to benefit from?”
“And he never lets me forget it,” she snapped, the anger and fucking embarrassment that it wastruesurging together inside of her, making her feel sick to her stomach.
Her mom heaved a heavy sigh. “Do you remember what it was like before Harrison?” She came to stand next to Juliet’s chair, ducking slightly so they were both staring at their reflections in the mirror. She reached up and gently brushed back a piece of Juliet’s hair in a movement that Juliet was positive her mother believed was comforting. “Do you remember what we had before him?”
She first studied her mom in the mirror, before she turned to look directly at her.
Again, she couldn’t help but think back to Darcy and her family. Making fun of one another when they missed a step in their line dancing, and then all laughing about it, together.Stringing up popcorn, because it had been all they’d had, and now they did it because they chose to. Because it was full of memories with one another.
Her mom had always been beautiful. Juliet remembered that when she was little. Even before she had Harrison’s money and stylists and access to the best of the best of everything. She was still there. Almost twenty years older now, hidden under the designer brands. But she was there.
