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First stop was the grocery store, which thankfully wasn’t too crowded, so I could get everything I needed quickly before heading over to my parents.
I was putting things away when Mom came into the kitchen. I handed her a spoon and a single-serving tub of strawberry yogurt.
“Oh, my favorite. Thank you, Gabs.”
She took a seat at the table and peeled off the lid. She was still moving slower than normal but other than that, she was looking good.
“How’s your shoulder and arm feeling today?”
She took a mouthful of yogurt, humming a little as she enjoyed the treat before she responded.
“Almost back to normal. My shoulder aches if I lift things or use it too much, but that’s getting less every day.”
I continued emptying the shopping bags. “What about Dad? He up in bed?”
“Uh huh. Christopher’s arranged for one of his friends to make home visits to get him started on some rehab exercises. He gave me some to do for my shoulder, too. Lovely man. He’ll be here again tomorrow morning. Maybe you should come by a little earlier tomorrow? While he’s here.”
I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Mom, I don’t need you to set me up with anyone, let alone my brother’s friends.”
“Well, if we want to see our grandkids before we’re too old to enjoy them, I think I do.”
I clenched my jaw until it ached as I finished putting the groceries away. It was an old argument, and this was far from the first time she’d attempted to set me up with someone.
“Why don’t you take that up with Christopher then? He can provide you with grandbabies too, you know.”
She waved a hand my way. “Pfft, he’s way too busy working to fit in a family at the moment.”
That one stung. Again, wasn’t the first time I’d heard it from her mouth, but it never stopped hurting. It had been a long time since I’d bothered arguing with her about my job being real but today, I was at the end of my rope with everything that was going on. Something inside me snapped.
After putting away the empty bags, I spun toward my mother. “And you think I’m not? You think I have so much free time, I just what? Spend my days dancing through fields or something? I work hard, Mom. I’ve always worked my ass off. I don’t have student loans, and you and Dad sure as shit never paid for any of my training like you did with Christopher, but I made it through an apprenticeship and helped Silk set up a new business. I own every damn thing in my trailer free and clear. I pay my own rent. And right now, I’d put money on the fact that it’s me that’s working harder than Christopher. When was the last time he came and actually helped out?” I waved her off as she went to speak. “I don’t mean him coming over to sit with you and Dad, or send his friend over, but actually get some dirt under his nails and physically help. Did your shopping, cleaned your damn bathroom. Who does that every damn day? Me, that’s who. I’m currently coming here every day to take care of you and Dad. I’m taking care of all the Emerson horses because John and Kate are ill, and Royce is fucking useless. On top of that, I’m still doing as many shifts at Silky Ink as I can because like I said, I’ve got rent to pay and food to buy. Because I can, and do, take care of my fucking self!”
Closing my eyes against the sting of tears, I blew out a breath before shaking my head.
“I’m done. I just can’t do this today. You’ve got enough food for the rest of the week and you’re well enough to help Dad with whatever he requires. I’m sure you’ll figure out a way to get anything else you need.”
Before Mom got over her shock, I grabbed my shit and rushed out the door. Wiping away the tears, I headed away from the house I’d grown up in and wondered if I’d ever go back. I never swore in front of my parents. Never called them out on their bullshit. I had no idea what the fallout would be from my outburst today, but I was sure there’d be some.
When I pulled into the parking lot behind Silky Ink, I grabbed my phone and turned it off before I headed inside. Whatever the fallout was going to be, it could wait till after I finished work.
