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“Why are you defending him? I don’t get it.”
“I just hoped you living with him would change things.”
“He lives here, in Charlotte. I haven’t seen him since the 4th last summer.”
“What?! Jesus, Cecelia, you’ve been alone in that house this whole time?”
“Basically. Kind of. I’ve made…friends.”
“Cee, how did I not know this?”
“I didn’t want to bother you with it. Nothing you can do about it anyway.”
I hear her sniff.
“Mom, don’t cry. I’m fine. A few more weeks and I’m out of here. I’m coming home. I’m going to UG, so you’ll see me all the time.”
“I feel terrible.”
“Don’t. This is why I didn’t tell you. There’s no reason to feel guilty. He doesn’t, I’m sure.”
“He does. I know he does.”
“I think we’re talking about two totally different people.”
She sniffs again, cursing under her breath. “Damnit, Roman.”
“Mom, send me your info, okay?”
“No. What kind of mother would that make me? Me and Timothy are doing just fine. We’re thinking about buying a house on the lake.”
“Well, now you can have it—Roman’s treat. And then you can go to Mexico and celebrate with a margarita in hand. We’ve never taken a vacation. Promise me you will. Promise me. And promise me when you get back, you’ll see about talking to someone.”
“Cecelia—”
“This isn’t up for debate, Mom.”
“Jesus, bossy. What’s gotten into you?”
“One too many,” I reply, knowing she’ll understand.
“Talk to me.”
“I’m not ready, okay? And I don’t think you would believe it if I told you. I’ll be next in line if your shrink’s any good.” I stand and open the curtain to my hotel room and get a clear view of my father’s building across the street. My father owns a skyscraper, and Mom and I ate mac and cheese with hot dogs cut up in them to make it through to her next payday. She’ll never have to do that again unless she’s feeling nostalgic or gets high. That knowledge alone is worth every trial I’ve gone through this year.
“Please, Mom. Please let me do this for you.”
“I can’t, Cecelia. I’m sorry. It feels wrong. It is wrong.”
“It’s not.”
“I’m hugging you so tight, kid.”
“Mom, wait—”
“I love you.”
I sigh, deciding to fight her on this another day. Technically, I don’t even have the money yet. But I will win this battle. “Love you too.”
