My phone rings from where it sits on Gran’s dresser. After stuffing the letters back into the box, I push off the floor and pick it up.
“Hello?”
“Hi, sweetheart. How’s it going?” my mom coos, in her fake, sweet voice.
“It’s fine. I’m about done here. I think I’ll be back tomorrow.” I drop to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Oh, wonderful. Maggie’s really missing her mom.”
She knows how guilty I feel for being away from her. I don’t know why she feels the need to say shit like that. If she knows you’re insecure about something, she just can’t help poking it.
“I miss her too. I’m ready to be home.”
“I never did like that town. Why your grandmother stayed in that dump all these years is beyond me.”
“It’s not that bad.”
“Either way I’m glad you’ll be done with it. You know, I’m so proud of you for walking away from that Ravens Ridge boy and finding something better.”
I scrunch up my nose. “Caseycheated. I wouldn’t say that’s better.”
She exhales. “You and Casey are in a rough patch. Every married couple goes through stuff like this.”
Rolling my eyes, I say, “Are you hearing yourself? It’s not a rough patch. It’s over.”
She sighs. “You’re always so dramatic.”
“No. I’m not. You just never listen to me!” I shout.
“Do not raise your voice at me. I’m just trying to help.”
And with that, I can’t take it anymore. She’s alwaysjust trying to help,but I’m not the one who needed it. But she’snever once attempted to do anything for her kid that actually needed help—has been screaming for it for years.
“Help? What about Shane? You’re his mother too. Why don’t you ever try to helphim?”
She groans. “I’ve tried to help him plenty.”
“Have you? Because I’ve never seen it.”
“Where is this coming from?”
“I don’t know, Mom.” I shake my head. “Maybe I’m finally tired of trying to please you.”
“Please me? Give me a break. When have you ever done what I wanted you to do?”
“My whole life! You didn’t want me to go out with my friends, so I stayed home. You didn’t want me to stay in Ravens Ridge, so I left. You didn’t want Shane around, so my relationship with him suffered. You didn’t want me to go to visit Gran after everything happened, so I didn’t. Hell, you didn’t want me to tell?—”
“Do not blame me for everything that’s gone wrong in your life. You came home because that boy threw you away like trash! That is not my fault!”
“Right, but you weren’t gonna let me stay anyway, so what’s it matter?” I shout.
“We’re not doing this. I’ve given you everything. I’ve supported you and helped when you needed it.”
“Right.” I nod, laughing. “As long as I followed your rules.”
“I’ve only tried to help you make the right choices. You’re twisting things around.”
“Yeah? And what makes you such an expert? Your first husband was a real peach after all.”
