"Brunch? What brunch?"
"The one with the Hendricks?" She lets out an exasperated sigh as she comes in my room. "Brook, you knew about this. Why didn't you set your alarm?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. We never told them we were going to brunch."
"I spoke with Chad's mother yesterday and told her we'd be there." She goes to my closet and starts looking through my clothes.
"Why you didn't tell me?"
"I did. I left you a note on your dresser. Didn't you see it?"
I get up and go to my dresser. I see the note, and sure enough, it says we're meeting them for brunch at ten and leaving at nine.
"I didn't see this, but Mom, why didn't you talk to me before agreeing to this? Chad and I broke up. I'm not going to brunch with him and his parents."
"There's no reason you two can't remain friends. Your father and I have been friends with Chad's parents for years. I've been wanting to see them again and this is our chance. And it'll be good for people to see us at the club." She holds up a plum-colored sweater dress. "How about this one? The color is perfect for this time of year and the fabric shows off your figure."
"I'm not going to brunch." I take the dress from her and put it back in my closet. "I'm going to see Dean at the hospital and then I'm going to his house with the guys to clean the place up."
My mom stands in front of me. "Honey, I know you have feelings for Dean, but I think it's time you think about your future."
"Meaning what?"
"I think you should reconsider going back to Haverhill. You could still see Dean but you'd be getting a better education. And you'd be back with the type of people who could benefit you in the future. When I was out with the girls last night, they said everyone at Haverhill is looking forward to having you back."
"But I'm not going back. Why are people saying I am?"
"Chad might've told them that." She turns back to my closet. "You can ask him at brunch today but we have to hurry up." She takes out a black dress. "Just wear this one. Black is always a safe choice."
I stare at her in disbelief. "You lied to me."
"Brook, we don't have time for this." She shoves the dress in my hand and walks to the door. "Get dressed so we can go. You can do your makeup in the car."
"I'm not going." I toss the dress on my bed. "And I'm not going back to Haverhill." I walk over to her. "You promised me you'd support me on this, and now you're not?"
She sets her hand on my shoulder. "I just want what's best for you, and being involved with a boy like Dean isn't what I want for you."
"I don't care what you want for me," I say, throwing my hands up. "It's MY life. I get to choose who to be with, and I don't want to be with someone like Chad. I don't care that his family is rich or that he'll make a lot of money someday. I can make my own money. I don't need a man to support me."
"Honey, just calm down. Let's go to brunch and we'll talk about this later. I don't have to work so I'll be home this afternoon."
"And I'll be at Dean's house." I turn and walk away from her. "Just go. And tell Chad to stop telling everyone I'm going back to Haverhill."
"Brook, you're being childish. Brunch will be an hour, if that. When we get back, I'll take you to see Dean."
I whip around to face her. "Mom, for the last time, I'm not going."
She puts her hands on her hips. "Do you know how embarrassed I'll be showing up there alone?"
"Then take your new boyfriend. I'm sure he'd love to go, unless he's too busy sitting at home, counting his money."
She narrows her eyes at me. "You are being very disrespectful."
"I'm being me—thenewme—which I know you don't like, but I'm not going back to how I used to be."
"This is your father's fault. If he'd just paid to keep you at Haverhill we wouldn't be having these problems."
"And I never would've realized how unhappy I was. Don't you want me to be happy?"
