Unfazed, I said, “You’re always going to be my baby girl.”
“Hi, Ms. Long,” Annabeth said, opening up the back door and tossing in Priscilla’s backpack.
One of her classmates had carried it around for her all day and helped her get situated in every class. In return, that person was able to take the elevator to their next class. Annabeth shared her last class of the day with Priscilla, so she typically helped her to my car.
“Say hi to your dad,” I told Annabeth like I did every other day before she closed the door.
“Oh, he said he can’t wait to read the piece you interviewed him for.”
“Tell him I said thanks.”
With that, Annabeth shut the door and blew a kiss to Priscilla.
“How was your day, sweetie?”
“Great. Except gym when I have to sit in the library. I don’t know why I can’t watch. They’re worried I’m going to get hurt. Speaking of getting hurt, I’m going to hurt Maisey if she doesn’t stop asking me questions.Are your parents getting divorced? What’s it like? Does your dad have a girlfriend?”
I was grateful I’d been driving slowly, because otherwise, I would have wrecked the car. “Why would she say that?”
“She heard Penny and me talking and now thinks she’s one of my friends. Apparently, her dad is having an affair with his assistant, and her parents are splitting up.”
“Priss ...”
“Mom, I know. Yours is a different situation. Dad was an asshole, pardon the language, and he deserved what you did. Plus, Mick is the bee’s knees. I get it all.”
I veered in front of a Starbucks despite just having a coffee.
“What are you doing? You never let me get the ’Bucks.”
“Maybe today.” I turned and looked at my daughter, her hair windblown, and a smidge of mascara on her lashes. I made a mental note to ask who applied it and to buy her a tube.
“You don’t have to bribe me. I didn’t say a word to Maisey about you. Or Mick. Or Dad. She’s her own worst enemy. I’m not mad at you like how she’s mad at her dad. It’s all we hear about.”
“I hear you, but we’re still going to therapy.”
“Ugh, Mom. I don’t need it.”
“We both do,” I said, pushing the button to turn the car off. “Period. Now, what do you want? A sugary shake disguised as coffee?”
“Yep. A caramel frappuccino.”
“You’re skipping the whipped cream because I’m making cookie brownies at Mick’s.”
“With ice cream?”
“Of course.”
“What are we celebrating?” Priscilla looked up at me as I opened her door to help her.
“Not much, but I may be getting a promotion at work. It’s not a big deal,” I told her, knowing in my heart it was a huge deal.
“Mom,” she said while slipping her arm through mine, “It’s a big deal. You’re doing something for you for the first time. I’m not mad, even if it takes time away from me.”
“That it won’t,” I said with a smile, leaning in and kissing her cheek, thinking how the heck did she understand relationships better than me.
As I yanked open the door, I thought,The therapist is going to have a field day with this one.
Margaret
