"Boys his age don't spend that much time with a girl who's just a friend." She pauses, her lips pursed. "Are you having sex with him?"
"Mom, no!" I walk away. "I'm going to my room."
"Brook, I am NOT done talking to you!"
I go in my room and shut the door but she opens it before I can lock it.
"Is this why you came home?" I ask. "To lecture me about Dean?"
"You've been lying to me, Brook. You've never lied to me until you started seeing this boy."
"I'm not lying. I don't know what you're talking about."
"You say you're out with Eve when you're really out with Dean."
I keep quiet, wondering how she knows that.
"I saw Eve last Saturday at that store where she works. She was helping a customer so I went up and asked her manager when she got there and found out she started her shift at ten, the time you said you were going to her house."
"Okay, fine, I went to Dean's house to study. I knew you'd get mad so I didn't tell you."
"So you admit that you lied to me."
"Yes, but I shouldn't have to! You shouldn't care that I hang out with Dean. You only do because you think it means I won't get back together with Chad. But I'm never going back to him. It doesn't matter if Dean's in my life or not. I wasn't happy with Chad and I never will be."
"Then find someone else, because Dean is the not the type of boy I want for my daughter."
"Because he's not rich. But we're not either! Even if I wanted a rich guy, which I don't, he wouldn't date someone like me."
"You're a bright beautiful woman with a strong future. Boys would love to go out with you."
"Not rich ones like Chad, or any of the other guys at my old school. They're too snobby. They're not going to date someone who lives in an apartment in a bad part of town. I can't even get Jane to drive here to see me."
"It won't be like this forever. I'll find someone else and we'll move back to a neighborhood like we used to live."
"What are you saying? Are you dating?"
"Not yet, but I will be. I have several prospects lined up from Jill and Suzanne."
Jill and Suzanne are some of her rich friends from back home.
"So you're just going to go marry another rich guy who cheats on you."
"Brook, stop it right now! I will not let you disrespect me like that. You see what he's done to you? You were never this way when you dated Chad."
"Because I was dead, Mom. I buried my emotions. I ignored my own needs, my own happiness, so I could be the girl Chad wanted. And it still wasn't enough. I was never good enough for him. Dean accepts me for who I am. And I'm happy with him. Doesn't that even matter to you?"
"I don't want you seeing him anymore."
"Sorry, but you don't get to decide that."
She leaves my room, slamming the door behind her.
I can't believe she's acting this way. My mom and I used to be really close. I considered her my best friend. But that was the old me. The one who was just like her. She doesn't accept the girl I am now.
My phone rings. It's my dad. I could ignore him but he hasn't called in weeks and I'm curious what he wants. I hope he's not going to tell me he's having another kid.
"Hey, Dad."
