“I didn’t know it got that bad.”
“It was because of you girls that we tried to get along, and for the sake of the family when we got together. It got better when I decided to become a nurse’s aide. Your mom started to be nicer once she heard, but things were still tense since I wasn’t planning on going to college to be an RN.”
I sigh. “So my mom will never be okay with me not being a nurse in some capacity?”
She frowns. “I wouldn’t say that. She and I have been able to get along regardless of my choices. The obstacle is the two of you being stubborn.”
I make a face. “I’m not stubborn. I just know that I don’t want what she wants.”
She shakes her head. “No, Adrienne. You are stubborn. You lived in your mother’s shadow for years, and then you decided to think for yourself. The day you did that was when you became stubborn. At least, in your mother’s eyes.”
I consider this a moment. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be a nurse; it was because she and I were too similar. That similarity put us at odds when we had opposite views. “So, since I’m no longer a passive child, she doesn’t know what to do?”
Faith nods. “She is in shock essentially, and her initial response to that shock is to fight. It’s a new side to you that she never expected to see. I don’t think she likes it much. However, once the shock wears off, she is going to remember that you are her daughter and she loves you no matter what.” She reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze. “She’ll get over it soon.”
Chapter Thirty-two
Wednesday, August 15th
“Just a little over one week and then my baby girl will be starting high school,” Maurice says after dinner. It was a pleasant meal, as it has been since the argument on Saturday. My mom and I seem to have some sort of unspoken truce in place. The fighting will only cause more tension and nobody wants that.
Kaitlin gives a hint of a smile as we gather up our plates and silverware. Maurice continues and asks, “You getting excited?”
Her partial smile fades into a frown. “Not really.”
Maurice chuckles. “You don’t have anything to worry about. High school is a lot like middle school, just in a bigger building.” He turns to me. “You just made it through, Adrienne. Tell her.”
I look over at her and say, “It’s not bad. There are times when it feels like too much to handle but you will survive. Trust me.” I smile. “Besides, you have friends like Paige, and you’re going to make plenty more as the years go by.”
She doesn’t respond immediately. “Yeah,” she says dejectedly.
I know that the way they portray high school in television and movies probably has her worried about friends and classes. It probably isn’t helping her watching The O.C. constantly. Despite that thought, I still suggest watching more of it with her. She replies, “Maybe tomorrow. I have a book I want to finish.”
Hiding my worry, I say, “Okay. Tomorrow sounds good to me.”
When she goes to her room and closes the door, all I want is to open it up and ask her what is bothering her, but I don’t. She will let me know when she is ready.
I sigh and go to my room. I don’t really feel like sitting around in here the rest of the night. I send Chevy a message to meet me at the coffee shop. Half an hour later, we're in line ordering iced coffees. I glance at the chalkboard sign on the counter and see that karaoke is this Saturday. It makes my stomach clench to think about it.
He notices me looking at it and asks, “Thinking about singing that song for me?”
I look away from the sign. “Maybe.”
He taps my arm. “Hey, what’s wrong? You don’t have to sing if you don’t want to sing, you know.”
“I know.”
He lets out a sigh. “What makes it so hard for you?”
I slowly make eye contact with him again. Should I tell him? We have opened up about so many things that he deserves to know this too. “Back in fifth grade, we had this recital. I got up in front of, like, two hundred people to sing a solo. I was so nervous my heart was racing. I didn’t look at the audience when I started singing. Everything was fine, until I looked up. My voice trailed off and my knees locked into place. That’s when I fainted.” I close my eyes. “Nobody really remembers it now but every time the idea of singing alone comes up, the feeling associated with that moment stirs up inside of me and I freak out.”
He touches my arm gently. “I’m sorry for trying to push you into it.”
“You didn’t push for anything. Besides, it’s not like you knew.” I look back at the sign. “One of these days I’ll just do it.” I lightly shove his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re there for it.”
He grins. “Promise?”
“Cross my heart.”
As we walk down the street with our drinks, I fill him in on what transpired over the weekend.
“Everything will work out eventually,” Chevy says.
“I know,” I say with a sigh.
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
“I wouldn’t say that.” I sneak a glance and see a smirk on his face.
“Because it sounds like you don’t.”
“Okay, maybe I don’t believe it,” I admit, “but I believe you.” I smile sweetly.
He smiles back. “You’ve been telling me the same about my dad. Turns out you were right, despite the fact that I kept believing it was all going to fall apart.”
It hits me suddenly how important we are to each other. Our friendship over this summer has managed to keep both of us from losing our minds. Everything we have been going through, he has been there for me as much as I have been for him. It has drawn us closer. I didn’t have that with him when we were in school. I didn’t have that with him when I abandoned him over the summer.
I didn’t really have him until now.
“Adrienne?”
I break out of my reverie and turn to him. “Yes?”
He chuckles. “Where did you go just now?”
I shake my head. “Just somewhere in my head.”
“Where in your head?”
“The part that is extremely grateful to have you in my life.”
He reaches over and puts his arm around my shoulder, holding me close as we walk. “That feeling is mutual.”
I wrap my arm around his waist. “Good to know.”
Chapter Thirty-three
Monday, August 20th
Regardless of the truce, I spend the day over at Lyndsay’s to avoid any potential accidental battle at home. My mom is working a rare late shift due to a schedule change. Instead of being home in the evening when Maurice is home, she is there during the day. I didn’t think Kaitlin was enough of a buffer zone to prevent any fights, so I opted to go elsewhere. I felt bad about leaving Kaitlin by herself, but she has still been acting a little weird and I didn’t want to push her too much. I figure she just needs a bit of space right now.