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Ivy
Aspicycookingaroma hit my nasal passages as I entered our apartment.
With my bedroom being upstairs, I had all the privacy I needed. There really wasn’t any need for me to move.
That was, until now.
Despite jumping to conclusions about my mom’s new relationship and whether it might last, the thought of moving hit me hard. Where would I get the money?
My mother wouldn’t want me to move. But there couldn’t possibly be enough space for the three of us.
Mitch wouldn’t be the first to move in, but normally, her lovers left as quickly as they arrived. Whichever way, one week with Mitch seemed too long in my book.
He wasn’t a bad person. Just annoying. I’d already processed my bitterness over his choosing my mother over me. I’d gotten used to that idea as I power walked home—pounding the sidewalk was a habit of mine when dealing with major decisions.
Wait and see was the only sensible option this time. In any case, I couldn’t even afford to rent a closet on my paycheck.
I followed the voices into the kitchen, where I found Mitch chopping a pepper while my mother stood at the stove.
“There you are, darling,” my mother said. “I thought I’d invite Mitch for dinner since you know about us.” She cast him a subtle wink, and he returned a sheepish grin—the same grin he always wore when uncomfortable about something.
I’d found that quirk awfully confusing, especially when it came to deciding on which movie to watch or what restaurant to eat at, even though the latter was always a foregone conclusion. Any restaurant with the most processed tofu on the menu would be his choice.
“It’s okay, Mitch,” I said. “Mom explained. I’m fine with you both being together.”
My mother hugged me. “Thank you for understanding.” She glanced over at her new boyfriend, who chopped each pepper slice identically, as though he’d measured each one.
“I thought we might enjoy a meal together,” my mother said.
“I picked up a burger. I haven’t eaten it yet.” I glanced at Mitch, who was as delicate about being around meat as a person with a peanut allergy was about nuts.
“I’ll eat in my room,” I said in response to Mitch’s grimace.
“No need. Mitchell understands. I explained to him that your iron stores are of the rare kind that require animal protein.”
“But beans and rice offer the full range of amino acids,” he argued.
Oh how fucking predictable.I wanted to poke out my tongue at him, but I resisted and rolled my eyes instead. Turning to my mom, I said, “I’m just going into the living room to watch some television. I’ll open the windows if you like.”
“Darling, I’m getting a vibe. You seem unhappy.” My mother wore a sympathetic crooked smile, as though I had an earache.
“I’m not. It’s just that I don’t like being guilted over meat.” I turned to Mitch. “It’s my human right to consume animal products.”
Mitchell opened out his hands. “I was just stating a fact. But sure. Knock yourself out.”
I walked away, with a heavy weight on my shoulders.
After finishing my burger, I was lounging on the couch, watching Virgin River, when my mother entered.
“Why don’t you join us for a glass of wine. I picked up some of that lovely Italian dessert.”
“Vegan?” I asked with a smirk.
“Let’s not get into one these arguments. It is vegan. But you’ve had it before, and you liked it.”
I rose. “Sure. I need to ask your advice about what to wear on Saturday.”
“Oh?” She asked. “Where are you off to?”
