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“What are you talking about?”
“I mean have you planned your return to Seattle yet? I’ve seen the results of the games from that team you’re helping out. They’re not good. It’s been a flop for you.”
Elena looked at the receiver, but it hadn’t morphed into anything else. Was she hearing this correctly?
“Are you seriously suggesting that I should quit a job that pays well because the team has lost the first two games? Mom, you know that there is an entire season, and the first couple of games mean nothing, especially when it’s all new.”
“But there are lots of news articles about how shitty the new owner is, how he’s ruining the career of one player and that he’s using his money to dictate what he wants. That’s not exactly a good environment, is it?”
“And you’ve been reading fake news, Mom. That’s not the case here.”
“You would say that. He pays you.”
“I say it because it’s the truth.” Elena knew Jason would never do that. She pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose. “Look, Mom, just stop calling me. I’ve got a job, it’s working out for me, and I’m not coming back to Seattle.”
“But how am I supposed to see my daughter?” Jessica complained. “It’s five hours to get to Nebraska. You know I’m not keen on flying.”
“I didn’t take this job while taking you into consideration!”
“You could have thought about me.”
Elena wanted to bang her head against a wall.
“Mom, I’m an adult. I don’t need your permission to do anything. I’m doing what I want, and if you don’t like it, tough. Now, was there anything you wanted to talk to me about that isn’t about a stranger you’ve set me up with or bringing me back to Seattle?”
There was silence. Elena didn’t think her mother had an idea of what to say other than what she wanted. She just didn’t care about anything else.
“I think you need to see someone, Mom.”
“For what?”
“For this ridiculous attitude? For trying to control you daughters’ lives?” Elena shot back. “The longer you do this, the longer it’s going to be before you get what you want. Now don’t call my job again.”
She slammed the phone down, catching her finger between the receiver and the cradle. Crying out, she snatched her hand back and cradled it against her chest as she breathed through the pain. Now that really hurt.
“Everything okay?”
Elena jumped. Jason was in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe. He was watching her with a small smile.
“How long have you been standing there?”
“I just got here. I heard a raised voice, and thought you were shouting at Liam.”
“No, just my mother.” Elena flexed her hands before sucking her injured finger. “I’m just stunned at the lack of awareness from her. She doesn’t listen when you tell her over and over again that what she’s doing isn’t going to work. Don’t you think someone would stop after being told otherwise?”
“I’ve been thinking that lately myself.” Jason’s expression shifted, and he glanced away. “Hearing people hate that you’re doing something they don’t want, and having others turn on you for trying to do something to help is quite…demoralizing.”
Elena’s heart went out to him. He looked vulnerable slumped against the door. She walked over to him.
“Did you go and watch the game?”
“No, I had to get the paperwork on my desk sorted. But I heard from Carl about the signs up in the stands, and of the chants. Chants about me.” Jason shook his head. “To say they were unpleasant would be an understatement.”
“They were seriously doing that? Why couldn’t they just enjoy the game?”
“I don’t know, but people are doubling down, and it’s driving me insane.” He straightened up and rubbed his hands over his face. “I thought I was doing a good thing, that the team could pick itself back up. But I can’t see it happening, and everyone is pouncing on that.”
“It’s not your fault, Jason. You’re financially helping the team. Whatever happens on the field has nothing to do with you.”
