“He provided you with a good life.”
She furrows her brows, and I can see her losing patience. “What is that supposed to mean? We bought you whatever you wanted. Sent you to sleep away camp every summer when you were a kid.”
“Fat camp,” I snap. “You sent me to fat camp. Do you really think that I looked forward to going? That it was whatIwanted?”
“I would never send you to fat camp!” She shakes her head, still in denial. I always knew it was my father’s idea, but she had to have known. How could she not have realized that the camp, packed with physical activity and nutritional training, was really a place rich parents sent their overweight kids to learn how to eat better and burn off calories? There’s a reason there was a weekly weigh-in and weight-loss competitions.
“Why would you say that? Are you trying to hurt me?”
Hurt her, that’s funny.
“Because that’s what it was! I’m not upset about that, Mom. Not anymore. But I never have, and never will, look the way he thinks I should. I was always too fat. Too round. And too, ‘unhealthy,’” I say the last word while making air quotes. “I’ve heard it all my life, and I can honestly say that not a meal goesby without me wondering if maybe I should have a salad or fill up on a glass of water instead of food, because we all know, ‘a moment on the lips equals a lifetime on the hips.’”
“I never cared about your weight.” Mom looks insulted. “You’re so beautiful.” She smoothes my hair. “And some day the right man will come along—”
I struggle to keep the tears stinging my eyes at bay and reach for my mother’s hand. “I don’t want to wait for a man to start living out my dreams.”
Mom leans in, her eyes narrowing on mine. “Is it because you prefer women?”
“Oh my goodness! No, Mom.” Frustrated, I lean back in my chair. “I’m good at baking. And even if all I ever have is a struggling store, it will be mine. I can do this, Mom. Iwantto do this.”
I think I’m making progress.
“Does it have to be so far away?”
I smile. “Two-and-a-half hours isn’t that far. It’s time for me to be on my own, and I think you know it. I want to be happy. I’m ready to be happy.”
She shakes her head, closes her eyes, and sighs. “Well then, tell me how I can help.”
Chapter 3
Stone
“Hey, Stone, you coming for a drink?” Erik asks as we finish up another grueling day of refacing the old bank on the corner of Main Street and Poison Petals Road. The temperature is thirty degrees higher than it normally is in early February, and the humidity is off the charts.
I rub my arm across my forehead, wiping off drops of sweat. “Where at?” I don’t know why I’m even asking. I’m going to pass. There’s no time to shower and freshen up, and I smell as good as horse dung. Plus, I’ve been in a shit mood lately, and the last thing I need to do is drink too much and get into a brawl.
Then again, maybe that’sexactlywhat I need. As long as it’s not with my boss.
“Poison Brew Liquors and Spirits.”
“Ahh, I don’t know. You know I’m not technically of age.”
“Humanlegal age. You know those rules don’t apply to us. Once you’re out of high school, you’re a man.”
