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“Honey, I don’t know why you just don’t move home. You know Frank could get you a job anywhere in Albany. I really wish you would stop being so stubborn about staying in New York.”
“Mom, we’ve been through this a thousand times. I like living in New York.”
“I know, but–”
“I have to go, Mom. I really need to concentrate on finding a job.”
I found sometimes it was better just to talk over her. She never listened otherwise, and I wasn’t in the mood for a lecture.
“If you would only–”
“I’m hanging up now, Mom,” I told her, my impatience coming out loud and clear.
“Okay, fine. I get it. You don’t want to talk about it. I’ll stop. That’s not why I called anyhow. I called to tell you that Frank and I are coming to New York in a few weeks. I’m long overdue for a visit, and I want to get a jump start on my holiday shopping.”
I groaned inwardly. As nice as it would be to see them, a visit from my mother and stepfather took a lot of energy—energy I wasn’t really feeling at the moment.
“Sounds good. I’ll look forward to it,” I lied.
“Alright, honey. I’ll let you know which weekend we are coming after we finalize our plans. Good luck job hunting! Love you!”
“Love you too, Mom. Bye.”
I hit the end button on the touchscreen. Rage returned with a vengeance as I stared down at Alexander Stone’s gift—if one would even call it that.
It’s more like a hostile takeover of my personal means of communication!
On impulse, I decided to send him a text, my fingers typing feverishly in anger.
Today 10:32 AM: Me
Who do you think you are?
The seconds ticked by, my fingernails clicking impatiently on the kitchen counter as I waited for his response. After a few minutes, I was ready to ditch the phone in the trash, but then it chimed with a notification of a new message.
10:38 AM: Alexander
Good. You received the phone.
I could almost see his smug expression as I read his response. That fueled my fury even more. I responded in such a rush, and I misspelled everything.
If the prick could take the time to have all my contacts reprogrammed, he should have at least turned on autocorrect!
I started over, this time typing more slowly.
10:41 AM: Me
Yes, I received it—and you can take it right back too!
10:42 AM: Alexander
It’s yours. Keep it.
Ugh! Is he really that dense!
He was starting to push me over the edge. I wanted no ties to Alexander whatsoever, and I had no intention of keeping the stupid phone, as it would only be a constant reminder of him.
10:44 AM: Me
