AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shut off my computer and lean back in my office chair. It’s unusually quiet over at Marlow’s house, and she never went into her studio last night.
Yeah, I checked countless times.
When I realized I’d be working well into the night, I texted her, and she told me to come over to her place this morning so we could finish our conversation. I regret ending our discussion abruptly, especially after jumping to conclusions I shouldn’t have. I never want her to feel like what’s happening with me takes precedence over her.
I stand up and stretch my arms above my head, anxious to go over to her place. I’m debating whether I should shower first when there’s a knock on my front door. Half-expecting it to be Marlow, I’m slightly disappointed to find my mother standing on my porch with two cups of coffee in hand.
“Mom?”
“Hey, sweetheart.” She gives me a kiss on the cheek as she pushes her way past me into the house.
“What are you doing here?”
“I stopped by Brew Haven after dropping Lola off at school.” She holds out one of the cups she has in her hand. “Your father mentioned you and Harrison were up all night, so I figured you could use the caffeine. Good thing I did because you sure look like you could use it.”
What’s that supposed to mean?
I steal a glance at my reflection in the mirror hanging on the nearby wall.
My hair sticks out in every direction, and I have a five o’clock shadow. My shirt is a rumpled mess. There’s also an ink stain across the front from a pen that exploded earlier.
“Uh, thanks?” I cautiously take the cup of coffee from my mom as she looks around the house, not even being discreet. “Mom, what are you doing?” When she doesn’t respond, I wave to get her attention.
“Yeah, sweetheart?” she says, finally looking at me.
“Why did you really stop by? We both know it wasn’t to bring me coffee,” I call her out.
She wouldn’t drop in unannounced without an ulterior motive, especially when Lola isn’t here.
“I was worried,” she admits with a heavy sigh. “You and Marlow left abruptly last night. I ran into her friend Quinn in the parking lot, and she told me Marlow was offered an artist residency in Paris. I assumed that’s what the two of you came home to talk about last night. Please tell me you sorted things out.” She sounds hopeful.
“Not quite,” I say, raking my fingers through my hair.
“Why not?” She sounds alarmed.
“Marlow and I were in the middle of discussing it when Harrison called,” I explain. “She told me to come over this morning when I finished work so we could talk more.”
“What are you waiting for?” my mom urges. “Go to her house right now and tell her to accept that offer.” She tries to shove me out the door.
“Whoa, slow down,” I hold my hand out to stop her. “What do you mean?”
My mom lets out an exasperated sigh. “Sweetheart, I looked up the Paris Art Collective online, and it’s one of the most coveted opportunities for an artist. If Marlow goes, she’ll be working with some of the most successful artists in the world. If she doesn’t take this opportunity, I think she’ll regret it.”
I blink rapidly. Marlow didn’t mention that it was such a prestigious offer, and I regret not asking her more about it when I had the chance. Now I’m even more confused about why she is planning to turn it down.
“If it’s that important, why didn’t she just tell me she was going to take it?”
“If Marlow had told you she was leaving, can you honestly tell me you wouldn’t have assumed the worst?” my mom responds.
No, I can’t. I did that last night. When I heard her talking with her friends, I was quick to come to an assumption without getting the facts first.
It occurs to me that I never even asked Marlow if she was interested in the residency. I was so swept away by her declaration about how much Lola and I meant to her that I wasn’t thinking of much else.
I move away from Mom and sit on the bottom step of the stairs, setting my coffee on the floor next to me.
“You really think I should encourage her to go, don’t you?” I ask.
“Yes, I do,” my mom says matter-of-factly. “If you love Marlow like I think you do, you’ll support her every step of the way while she’s gone, and when she returns to Aspen Grove, you and Lola will be here to welcome her back with open arms.”
