Chapter 31
Victoria
It’s late when I get home on Monday after work. There was an issue with setting the alarm so it took nearly an hour to leave the store and it’s almost eleven when I walk in. To my surprise, my mother is still up, watching TV and sipping a cup of tea. She looks tired and a little stressed.
“Hi, Mom. Why are you awake?”
She gives me a faint smile. “Couldn’t sleep. You know how it is with perimenopause and all.”
“Is it bad?” I sink down on the couch. “Is something going on?”
“Well, there’s a lot going on. With you. With Ivy and Charlie. With your dad.”
“I’m sorry you’re stressed and it’s impacting your health.”
She lifts one shoulder. “Stress is part of life. As is this menopause nonsense. I’ll have to see my doctor at some point.”
“Ivy and I are fine. You shouldn’t be stressed because of us.”
“I’m stressed because your father is stressed. And now his blood pressure is out of control, but he refuses to go to the doctor.”
“Why not?”
“You know how he is.”
“High blood pressure is dangerous.”
“I know. He thinks he’ll manage it with exercise.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s almost fifty. His body is changing. What worked ten years ago may not work now.”
“I know. But a lot is changing all at once and he’s not good with change.”
I sigh. “What’s changing? Are you talking about me?”
“You’re graduating, thinking about getting a real job. You’re dating Jordan again, which is a thorn in your father’s side. On top of that, Ivy is getting her real estate license. Charlie’s starting preschool. He doesn’t like any of it.”
“But he can’t expect us to just hide away at home forever, can he?” I ask in confusion. “He doesn’t want Ivy and me to get married? Have careers and families? All the normal things that adults do.”
“He’s old school, Victoria. You know that. He wants you to find a nice, church-going boy who’ll court you for a long time, ask your dad for your hand, do everything the right way.”
“Dad doesn’t even go to church!” I protest. “Why would he want me to marry someone who does?”
“Honey, I know you’re chomping at the bit for your freedom, but could you just slow down a little? Take your time. You don’t know whether or not Jordan really loves you or if?—”
“Oh, not you too,” I groan in frustration. “It’s been four years. We’ve grown up. Changed. We had a long time to think about whether or not we loved each other and wanted to be together again. How much longer does he think we need?”
“I don’t know but with his blood pressure this high, and him as stubborn as he is, do you really want to stress him out unnecessarily? Have him stroke out so you can be with your boyfriend?”
I lean forward, resting my forearms on my thighs. “Mom, this is exhausting. I’m just trying to live my life. I don’t want to stress anyone out. Why can’t you accept that I’m an adult?”
“I do. Your dad just needs more time. Get through graduation. Let Ivy finish real estate school. If you’ve waited four years, what’s a few more months? Please, honey—could you think about your dad? He’s sacrificed a lot over the years to give us a good life. Can’t you and Jordan just keep things the way they are for a while? I’m sure by next year your dad will be used to the idea of him being around and start to mellow.”
“A year?” I blink at her. “Mom, we’ve already been apart for four. With Dad’s rules and curfews, I barely see him now. That won’t get better once I have a full-time job.”
“What’s the hurry? Absence makes the heart grow fonder, you know. Is it really too much to ask for a year so your father has time to adjust?”
My temple has already started to throb and I swallow back a hundred different frustrated retorts.
