AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, but remember what happened when Lorelai dated Rory’s teacher inGilmore Girls?That was a total failure.” I have watched an enormous number of shows meant to appeal to the preteen-age audience, andGilmore Girlswas just the start. We’re currently making our way throughThe Summer I Turned Pretty.And to be honest, I’m kind of terrified.
Sammy rolls her eyes. “Good point. Plus, I don’t need you messing up my social life before it’s even begun. I’m all for you staying single.”
I reach out and gently pinch my daughter’s arm. “You’re a clone, aren’t you? Where’s the real Samantha Riordan?”
She pushes my hand away. “You’ve decided that you’re destined to be alone and that’s okay. Although, after I leave for college, we should get you a nice pet to keep you company. In fact,” she amends, “maybe we should look into that sooner rather than later so your adjustment will be easier.”
“You think I can replace you with a dog?” I laugh. “Way to sell your importance.”
“It would obviously have to be a really cool dog.” I love how easily Sammy and I joke with each other. This kid cracks me up.
“Actually …” I begin, wondering if I should tell her what’s on my mind. I decide to bite the bullet. “I was thinking I might start dating after you leave me in the dust.”
Her head shakes so hard, the red curtain of waves jostles back and forth like it’s dancing. “Don’t you dare get me a mom after I leave home. No sir, if you won’t find her now, I don’t want her at all.” Her tone shifts from playful to downright angry.
Not wanting to poke the bear further, I concede, “Fine, I’ll happily live the rest of my years alone or, you know, with Rose, the nice rescue dog we get from the pound.” Sammy turns to stare out the passenger side window but doesn’t say anything. “Are you mad at me?” I finally ask as we pull into our driveway.
“Yes,” she answers plainly.
“Why?”
“You know why.” God save me from pre-pubescent girls with a temper.
“I was just teasing you earlier.”
“About dating or getting a dog?”
Avoiding what she really wants to know, I say, “Now that we live outside the city, I’ll happily look for a dog if that’s what you want.” I never wanted to have one in Chicago because we didn’t have a backyard big enough for it to enjoy a good run.
“People with kids get married all the time, you know.”
“Yes, they do, and it even works out for some of them.” I put my foot on the brake and stop the car. “It’s just that I don’t have any confidence I’d be one of them.”
“Because of Beth?” she demands heatedly.
“And Shelby,” I remind her. “That clearly didn’t turn out well.”
“It might have if Kelsey weren’t so against it.” She opens the car door and gets out.
I push the button to open the back hatch before joining her. “You are the most important person in the world to me, Sam. I don’t ever want to make a decision that would be wrong for you.”
She shoves her hands into the pockets of her shorts. “You’re so worried about making wrong decisions that you’re afraid to make the right one.” She doesn’t give me a chance to respond before adding, “You know what? It doesn’t even matter to me right now. I’m worried enough about starting a new school that I don’t have the energy to push you to have a good life.”
Her hands shoot out of her pockets, and she grabs two bags out of the back before continuing, “You have whatever stupid life you want.” Then she stalks off to the front door.
In the last year, Sammy’s moods have gone from downright stable to erratic at best. I used to think it was solely because of the bullying she had to endure, but now I’m wondering if her hormones aren’t going to kill us both.
I finish unloading the groceries alone. I even put them away before looking for my daughter. I find her sitting on the back porch swing, kicking off the deck with alternate feet. She slows down when she sees me, as though inviting me to join her.
I sit next to her and say, “I’m sorry, Sam. I’m not always going to make decisions that you agree with, but I’m always going to try to make the best ones for us.”
“I’m sorry, too.” She leans her side into mine. “I’m just excited and really nervous about moving here.”
“It’s a big change,” I tell her. “What are you nervous about?”
“Everything.”
“Me too.” Questions keep looping through my head. Is this the best place for us? Will the kids here be nice? Is Sammy going to get the quality of education needed to get into a good college? But I keep all of that to myself.
