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I show her what I have left to grab, and we get to work finishing the job.
Mason and Madison’s flight comes in around five, and we’re stopping for dinner before heading to the Airbnb. Earlier, I helped Lo pack up her car, and now we’re gonna load up mine and then take off.
It’s a weird, surreal feeling. I’ve lived in this town in Jersey my whole life. To move across the country is a major life change. But it feels like the right decision. In my gut, deep down, it feels good. And that’s what I’m holding on to.
Lo is my world. And she’s out in Cali. So I will be too.
ChapterTwenty
Chloe
“You really think he’s a good choice for you?” Mom says with a tsk of her tongue.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask. I’m sitting across the table from her at breakfast. I’m leaving later on today and wanted to say goodbye even though we’ve barely spoken this summer.
I can’t believe she has the audacity to say that to me about Tyler. Her boyfriend is awful. She’s still choosing to date the asshole, even after expressing to her how I felt about him.
“You know exactly what I mean, Chloe. His father, his brother. All of them are one big mess over there.”
“Wow. Nice of you to pass judgment on them. It’s not like we’re leading perfect lives over here.”
“No one said anything about perfection. But why would you want to be married to a drunk?”
“He’s not a drunk, Mom. Yeah, so he has a higher chance of becoming an alcoholic. That doesn’t make him one.”
Mom clicks her tongue again. The sound goes right through me. So much judgment and disappointment all in that one sound. “It’s your life. Make your own decisions. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“What a nice thing to say to your daughter. How about being supportive? Or maybe positive?”
“I am being supportive. I’m being real with you. I will not sugarcoat it. There are so many guys out there. Especially in a new place. Why settle for the riffraff from here?”
My mouth drops open. Did she really just call Tyler riffraff? Like he’s some shitty Jersey boy who doesn’t deserve to go anywhere in his life or have anything.
Usually, I would walk away at this point. Run off to my room and cry. But not this time. I sit up straighter and pull my shoulders back. Then I say what I’ve wanted to say to her for a really long time. “You know, ever since Dad died, you’ve turned into this cold, bitter person. What happened to our family sucks, and Dad didn’t deserve to die. He should be here. But that doesn’t mean you let it take over your life and turn you into an ugly person.”
“Excuse me? Since when do you talk to me that way?”
“What way, Mom? I’m not yelling, nor do I have an attitude. I’m simply being real. Like you.”
Mom watches me from over the top of her coffee mug. “Your father’s death…” She pauses. “It hurts.” I expect to see more emotion, but there isn’t much. Has it really hardened her heart that much?
“It hurts us all. Not just you.” I hope this makes her realize how selfish she’s being. How her kids are still here and still need a mom. Especially after already losing one parent.
I finish my coffee and check the clock on the microwave. I need to get going if I plan on being ready on time. I still need to run a few errands, pack a few last-minute things, and then let Tyler know I’m ready for him to come by so he can help me load.
“I don’t like your attitude. And I don’t accept your relationship with Tyler Reed. But I hope you have a good school year.” She gets up from the table, bringing her dishes to the sink before slipping out.
No hug. No affection. Nothing.
Just like losing my dad, I feel like I’ve lost my mom, too.
* * *
“You’re leaving already?” Cat whines as we stuff our faces with pizza. I met her for a quick lunch, wanting to see her one last time before I left. “It feels like you just got here!”
“I know. The days fly. But I need to head over early, get my apartment set up, look for a job, and classes start the last week of August.”
“So much adulting. It makes my brain hurt.” Cat giggles into her soda. “But I’m happy for you, Lo. And I’m glad Tyler is going. You two are happy together and miserable apart. So just stay together, alright?”
