AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know, I got Daddy’s emoji-filled text message, but thank you.”
“How did your date with Doctor Timms go?”
“Ummm, it didn’t go so well. We weren’t each other’s type.”
I held my breath waiting for her to go into a whole diatribe about my dating life. She didn’t.
“You said you’ve been working but you’re not working out of town, are you?”
Somebody snitched.
I told both my sisters I was going out of town with Samuel, but I also told them to keep it to themselves. No telling which one spilled the beans.
“Are you going to tell me about him?”
I really didn’t want to have this conversation with her about Samuel. I knew she was going to take this way too far and start asking about marriage and babies.
“Averie?”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“I’m sorry for embarrassing you during family dinner. Sometimes my mouth gets ahead of me. I honestly didn’t mean any harm. I’m asking you to forgive me because I would love to hear about this new man in your life.”
“Mommy, it was never a matter of me forgiving you. You don’t have to apologize for caring about me, but you take it too far. I’ve worked my behind off to make you and Daddy proud, but you don’t see that. All you see is me not having a man in my life. Do you know how that makes me feel? It makes me feel horrible.”
“You always made me feel like the choices I’ve made in my life to stay home and raise you and your sisters and make a home for your father somehow made me less of a woman. Like somehow my college degree was wasted because I took pride in seeing my family succeed.”
I sat up in my chair.
“Mommy, what are you talking about? I’ve NEVER said that about you!”
“You didn’t have to say it. I saw how you admired those judges you worked for. You talked about them non-stop. You thumbed your nose at having a husband and a family because of them.”
I’d never heard her say this before. It brought tears to my eyes. They didn’t fall, but I was heartbroken that she felt like I’d disrespected or disregarded her.
“I’m video calling you, hang-up.”
I waited to make sure the call was disconnected then video called her.
“Mommy, I need you to hear me and see me when I say this. I’ve never respected another woman more than I respect you. I’ve never loved another person more than I love you. I sincerely apologize if my actions, words or lack of words ever led you to assume I don’t hold you in the utmost regard. Even when you hover and go crazy mom or set me up on dates with losers, I don’t love or respect you any less.”
She wiped the tears from her face.
“Are you serious?”
“Mommy! Come on! I had no career aspirations for years except to be a domestic engineer just like you!”
She laughed through her tears.
“I guess it was your time away in college that caused the disconnect. I just didn’t know where I fit in your life anymore and then I thought all the fancy ladies took my place. So, I focused on what they couldn’t focus on, and that was you having the family and the husband. I’m sorry.”
“I understand and thank you for recognizing we’ve both played roles in our recent dynamic. I love you more than I could ever describe.”
“I love you too. So, am I off punishment? Can I meet Samuel?”
“Ugh! They told you his name and everything?”
“I’m the momma. They can’t keep anything from me. Can you bring him to dinner next Sunday? I promise I will be on my best behavior.”
