“Thank you.” I beamed at Harvey and dragged my mom out by the crook of her arm. “Did you even get any coffee?”
Mom raised her chin. “No, I had no need.”
“You must have some need to embarrass me, then," I said.
She frowned. “What are you talking about? You said we could meet.”
“Yes, meet. After I talked to him and planned something brief with just us three. I didn’t want you to barge into his workplace and insist he take out his piercings to make cookies with the whole family." It'd be a miracle if he still wanted to talk to me, let alone date me.
Mom huffed. “I’m sorry we’re so embarrassing. Would you like us to leave?”
I .raised my brows. “Please."
She blinked and clutched the strap of her purse.
“You obviously don’t take either of us seriously,” I snapped. “Just because someone looks different or works at the malldoesn’t mean you can walk all over them. I’d rather you leave than keep harassing people like me and Harvey.”
“Don’t take that tone with me,” she hissed, glancing around. “We were only talking. You’re the one who dragged me out and caused a scene.”
I thrust my hands between us. “Because you’ve been smothering me."
She flinched. “Fine, have all the space you need.” She marched away, tightening her purse and jacket across her chest as if to bind herself with it. My mother was completely oblivious to boundaries.
I growled and spun on my foot.
How was I supposed to promote goodwill towards mankind and peace on earth when I was ready to start a rage-induced snowball fight with my family?
28
Photo Perspective
I’d barely been back on the Santa line for two seconds before Aunt Coral flagged me down. “Shelby,” she called. Everyone within fifty feet flinched from her sharp pitch.
My family was driving me up a chimney.I walked over to their place in line and crossed my arms. “Call me Sugarplum, here, please.”
“Where is your mother?”
I glanced over my shoulder. “She left, I’m guessing.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s embarrassed her kid is peddling candy for pennies and can’t stay out of my business," I snapped.
“Oh, Shelby,” she chided.
“Sugarplum.” Why couldn’t they do the basics of respecting me in front of my boss and colleagues?
Hoynes shook his head at me and marked something on his clipboard.
Aw, sugarcane. My body language wasn’t up to code. I uncrossed my arms and straightened my spine, but I still wasn’t up to smiling. “Excuse me.”
Other guests were here to makehappyfamily memories.
Before I could get too involved with our guests, Hoynes crooked a finger at me.
I smoothed my skirt and shuffled over, my face still heated from my cross-mall sprint and the fight with my mother. “What do you need?”
He angled his clipboard to the line about fifteen feet behind us. “Can you explain why our guests complained about your family?”
