Now, I didn't know what to say. If I said anything critical, I'd be ruining her fun. But if I let it slide, I'd spend days stewing in concern. And, this time, there'd be a nice dose of anger over the fact that she'd rather see me lose my apartment than skimp on her shopping.
An awkward silence hung between us until she said, "Look, I found some money, okay? And I haven't been to Paris in years."
"Threeyears," I clarified, as if to remind her that it wasn't fifty like she made it sound.
"Exactly!" she said. "And until now, I was having a lovely time."
No doubt.
But with what money?
I couldn't contain my sarcasm. "Well, that's just terrific."
She brightened. "I know, right?"
Talk about clueless.Grudgingly, I said, "But I guess it doesn't matter anyway. My apartment's probably already gone."
Something in my stomach twisted.If this was true, where was my stuff?
I'd been trying not to speculate, but now, I simply couldn't help it.Did they put it in storage? Or sell it for cash?
Probably, I should've rushed down to Chicago the first moment I'd heard about that eviction notice. But in my own defense, I'd been so sure that somebody from the property management company would call me right back.
But had they?
To quote Ryder,Nope.
On the phone, my mom asked, "Why do you think I'm calling you?"
To gloat?But instead, I mumbled, "I dunno…to say hi?"
"No,Silly," she said. "Icalledto let you know that your apartment is fine."
The news hit like a thunderbolt. "Wait…are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious," she said with a little laugh. "I called you from Paris, didn't I?"
I was so flabbergasted, I could hardly speak. "Um, yeah…I guess."
"So stop worrying, alright? I met with your landlord on my way to O'Hare and—"
"Wait…whatlandlord?"
"Oh,youknow…a rep from the management company. Anyway…it's all settled."
With my heart in my throat, I asked, "And what about my stuff?"
"It's fine, just like I said." A satisfied smile crept into her voice. "And here, you thought I wouldn't help."
Heat rushed to my face. Ihadthought that.
But the last time we'd talked, she had pretty much told me I was on my own.
Hadn't she?
I was so overwhelmed, I hardly knew what to say. "Well…it's just that, um…" My voice softened as I belatedly found the right words. "Thanks, Mom. Seriously. That wasreallynice of you."
"Oh, don't worry about it," she said in that breezy way of hers. "Anyway, you're settled for two full months." But then, her tone turned serious. "Youwillbe back by then, won't you?"
