“Now,” my dad is taking over. “Tell us about your new apartment and job. We can’t wait to hear how you’re doing.”
I’m not sure I’m ready to let them off the hook quite yet, but I do want to tell them about my new life. I finally say, “It’s a super cute apartment and I love being there.”
“Does that mean you’re staying in Elk Lake?” Why does my mom always sound so disappointed when the topic of me living here comes up?
“For now,” I tell her. “And before you can tell me that you don’t think I should be a teacher, you should know that I’m loving it. I’m also coaching the girls’ basketball team.” I glare at her defiantly.
“I’ve been thinking about your teaching,” she says. “Maybe it isn’t a horrible job for you.”
Talk about a lack of enthusiasm. “Thank you?”
“As a teacher, you have your summers off as well as all holidays. When you get married again and finally have a family, that will be nice for you.”
Here we go with marriage and babies again. If it wasn’t something I had once wanted so badly, I probably wouldn’t be feeling so defensive. But I was on the verge of having all of my dreams come true and then I lost everything. “I may never have babies, and quite honestly I’m not sure I’ll ever get married again, either.”
“Whatever you decide, Allie,” my dad says, “we love you and support you.” He turns his attention to my mom. “Don’t we, Margaret?”
My mom looks uncertain. “Well … I mean … of course we love you.”
“But you will only support me if I get married and have a family?” I never realized there were so many conditions on my mother’s acceptance. It’s hurtful.
“I don’t want to fight with you anymore, honey,” my mom says. “I love you and I want the best for you.”
“And you know what that is, huh? You with your penchant for exhibitionism!”
My dad stands up and interjects, “I think we all need to mind our own business and live and let live.” He turns to my mom. “Margaret, that means you need to let our daughter live her own life and make her own choices.”
My mom’s mouth opens and closes, opens and closes like she’s one of those mounted singing fish that hangs on a wall and sings Christmas carols. I’m sure she’s about to challenge him, but he adds, “Whateverthose choices may be.”
Then he looks at me. “Allie, your mom and I are grown adults. We get to make our own decisions, too.”
I want to barf, but I also want to be left alone, so I agree. “Fine. You guys take off your clothes for the world to see. I won’t give you any more trouble.” I suddenly feel the need to give as good as I’m getting so I add, “I might even do the same.”
I can tell my mom is chomping at the bit to say something now, but she knows she can’t. Instead, she asks, “Do you want to stay for supper tonight?” The only reason I’m tempted to accept her invitation is because I know she doesn’t want me to.
“No, thank you. I have some boxes to unpack.” Standing up, I walk to the front door and out of it without saying another word.
My parents have had it easy with me. I’ve always done exactly what they expected me to do, never once giving them cause for concern. It isn’t my fault that Brett left me and turned my world upside down. But now that I finally have my life back, I’m going to be the only one making decisions for it. And who knows? Maybe I’m ready to make up for lost time and finally cause a little trouble.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
NOAH
The girls haven’t started practicing on Saturdays with us, so Allie isn’t at the gym this morning. I can’t help but laugh when I try to imagine how her confrontation with her parents went yesterday. I’m suddenly glad my folks are in Florida because I’m one hundred percent certain that if Allie’s parents told them what they were doing, my mom and dad would have followed suit. Now that I’m grown up I’ve discovered my parents are much different without kids at home than they were when Lorelai and I were still around.
Practice goes well except for a little dust up between Decan and Jordan. Jordan knocked into Decan and Decan went after his teammate like he’d declared war. Now that I know their tension has nothing to do with basketball, I’ll have to do my best to keep them apart until things are worked out.
During the last five minutes of practice, a stylish couple who are probably no more than ten years older than me walks into the gym. Neither looks particularly happy to be there. But instead of making their presence known, they sit on the bleachers to wait.
At twelve on the dot, I blow my whistle and end training.Then I approach the newcomers. “You must be Jordan’s parents. I’m Coach Riley.”
They both nod their heads curtly as Jordan’s father says, “I’m Doug and this is my wife, Carley.”
Their son warily crosses the gym in our direction. When he reaches us, I suggest, “Why don’t we go into my office where we’ll have more privacy.”
“Why do we need privacy?” Jordan’s mom wants to know. “We don’t even know why we’re here.”
“Mom, please.” Jordan takes her arm and starts walking. “I’ll tell you once we’re in Coach’s office.”
