“Yes, everything’s paid off for the year.”
A thank you would be peachy, but I know I will not get it.
“Great, so uh, I’m calling because I need some advice.”
“Advice?”
“Yes.”
“Um, ok.”
“I moved in with a friend to save money.”
“Smart.”
“And then me and that friend started seeing each other romantically.”
“I didn’t realize you were gay, Mia.”
I sigh and pray that I can get through this conversation with the woman who gave birth to me but clearly doesn’t know diddly squat about me.
“I’m not gay, Mandy. I was living with a man.”
“What man?”
“My friend from college–Rush.”
Mandy is quiet for a moment. I’m not sure if she’s trying to remember me even having a friend with that name or if she’s angry that I moved in with a man and didn’t tell her.
“So you’re living with him?”
“I was.”
“You were?”
“Yes.”
“And where are you living now?”
“I have a room rental situation, but that’s not what I want to discuss.”
“Okay, what’s the advice you need from me? I don’t have a husband. I’m no expert on men.”
“Well, like I said, things changed between us and I got scared. I mean, I wanted to trust that he was everything that he said he was, but then the whole Miranda thing happened and then the Tiger miscommunication and–“
Gah! I’m speaking gibberish. I’m sure Mandy can’t even follow what I’m saying. It’s like I started the story completely in the middle and she does not know how to follow along. This was a mistake.
“I don’t know who a Miranda and a Tiger are, but I know for sure that the Rush boy has been waiting for you a long time.”
“What did you say?”
“I said that poor boy has been waiting for you for a long time so you better not mess it up. He’s a damn sight better than your father ever was to me.”
“Why are you speaking as if you know Rush? You don’t know him at all. I think you met him once.”
I can hear her lighting a cigarette and taking the first pull.
“Oh, I know him. I got to know him the weekend you tore your ACL. He called me, damn near hysterical. Something about you going into surgery and being your good luck charm. I guess he felt guilty that he wasn’t at your game that night, as if him being there could have changed anything. I told him plain as day that you weren’t his responsibility, but he wouldn’t listen. Guess that’s why he got you that job.”
