“Oh, honey. I was disappointed to hear you didn’t get the promotion.” I reach for my wine glass, rolling my eyes as I imagine mom pacing the kitchen, wondering how she is going to fix her problem daughter. “I’m sure you will prepare better for the next one.” She pauses, “You are applying for another one, right?” I can feel the judgement seeping through the phone.
“I don’t know, Mom. Right now, I’m just trying toget through the day. I don’t know what I want.” I can’t tell her I quit. She will freak out, and I’ll never hear the end of it.
“Don’t be so dramatic. That’s no way to plan your future. You should be telling Taylor it’s time to propose, so I can have grandchildren. I’m the only one in my friend group who doesn’t have any!” Her voice goes up an octave, and I have to pull the phone away from my ear.
Here we go again.“Well Taylor is no longer in the picture, so there’s no wedding in the future. You may have to look at Annabel for all future grandchildren.” I take another drink and eye my pizza. “Look, Mom, I’ve got to go. I have an important work call coming in.”
“You’d better explain about Tay…” Mom starts talking louder to get me to stay on the line, but I’ve had enough drama for one day.
“Sorry, have to go. Love you. Bye!”
I throw my phone into the hallway watching it ricochet. I wince, hoping I didn’t just shatter it. “Shouldn’t have answered. I know better.”
I try to relax back into the tub, but all I can hear is mom and her comments.Ugh.Pulling the plug, I quickly towel off, put on sweats, and take my pizza into the kitchen.
I inspect my phone after I snatch it off the hallway floor. It looks to be in perfect condition. Bummer. I still don’t have a new couch, so I plant my butt on a kitchen stool and pull open my computer search bar.
QUIET GETAWAY FOR ONE.
The first few listings that come up are less than ideal.
ROOM FOR RENT, SHARED BATHROOM.
“Who knows who lives there. Potential serial killer. No thank you.” I take a large drink from my glass.
CONDO IN THE CITY
“No.” I run my fingers through my hair then reach for a slice of pizza, scrolling with my other hand to the bottom of the listings. “Wait,” I whisper like someone might take it from me.
SECLUDED CABIN IN THE WILDERNESS
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A QUIET WEEKEND TO DISCONNECT
NO WI-FI
Perfect.
Before I can put too much thought into it, I select a whole week, starting in two days, and type in my credit card information. It might not be the smartest decision I’ve made, given I just up and quit my job, but I’ve found that if I want to get anywhere with my art, I’m going to have to invest in myself. This getaway will be theperfect reset I need to dive back into what I want in life. The money will be a future me problem. I’ll just have to bust my ass when I get back and apply for every job available in the marketing industry. All I need is someone to take a chance.
Finally closing my computer, I lean back with my pizza and smile.
I send a quick message to my sister, Annabel, expecting her to answer in the morning.
Alexandra: Mom’s on a warpath. Avoid calls for a while.
My phone immediately starts ringing for a video call, showing a photo of Annabel from our last vacation together. She’s underwater with snorkel gear, her hand in a peace sign. We had both died laughing at it when we got to the room. It has been her photo ever since.
“Yessss.” I plaster a smile on my face as my sister comes into view. Her blonde hair is piled on her head in a bun with makeup still on, but she has changed from her normal work clothing into a sweater.
“Dude. You could have sent that like two hours ago. I could not get her off the phone.” Annabel rolls her green eyes. “What did she tell you because I have so much to fill you in on.”
I slide further down in my stool, getting comfortable. “She just started on the usual… ‘I need grandkids’ blah blah blah. I cut her off and hung up the phone.”
“Oh God. I can only imagine. I heard the same, but then she went on and on about you and your interview for a while. When she switched back to her drama with her friends, I just put her on speaker and let her talk. I think she’s coming up here next weekend.” Annabel raises her eyebrows at me.
“Don’t look at me like that. I already booked a vacation. I’m getting out of here for at least a week. I need to take a much-needed break.”
“What! Where? Can I come?” She laughs. Her blue eyes sparkle in the Christmas lights she already strung up all over her apartment.
