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There’s a pause on the other end, and when Mom speaks again, her voice is softer. "All right. Just remember that life’s not only about work and you're not getting any younger. You don't want to waste these years. Before you know it, you'll be older and it will be harder to get men to see you as 'wife material' if you know what I mean.”
Wife material? Sounds boring.
I roll my eyes.
“I know, Mom. Believe me, I know.”
Our conversation shifts to lighter topics – her garden, and dad's latest DIY project.
But even as I hang up the phone and step into the store, Mom’s words linger in my mind.
Am I wasting my youth on work and not having enough fun?
I shake my head.
But I like work. I'm young and ambitious... what's so wrong with that?
I pick up a cute top off the rack and add it to my growing pile when my phone buzzes.
It's a text from Kaitlyn.
Where are you?
That's odd. Why is she asking?
I'm at Lulu's. Why? What's up?
You're supposed to be at the youth club tonight.
Steve was asking about you.
"Shit!" I mumble under my breath as I text back
OMG. I totally forgot...
My dad covered for you.
For real?
Yeah.
Tell him I said thanks.
Or you could. :)
I toss the clothes into a pile on the counter and check out. Hunter must have been at the club with Kaitlyn tonight. He is a big-time donor there and good friends with Steve, the youth club owner.
As I start walking back home, I grab my phone again and dial Hunter's number. It's after work hours. I don't know if he'll pick up.
"Maya?"
"Hey," I say, the words catching in my throat. "I wanted to say thank you. Kaitlyn told me you covered for me at the youth club earlier." I pause, not sure what else to say.
"No worries. Steve was worried about you... said you've been showing up late and that you're not there as much as usual. I figured it was because of work, so it was the least I could do."
There's a silence between us for a few seconds. "Yeah. I've been busier than normal. I guess I lost track of time."
"Your time there is important, Maya. I know that. I want to be sure you have time to keep doing the things you love. If you need more time off, let me know and we'll make it happen."
