“How can she be fine?”I was bewildered that everyone else seemed to accept this situation as normal, while I felt like I was the only one reacting.Was I overreacting?“I'm not fine.We're not even speaking,” I snapped, frustration bubbling over.
“Just give it some time,” Jessica suggested, her gaze drifting as if she knew something more.Was I the only one who didn't understand what was going on?What could possibly be more complicated?Just then, Jessica’s phone rang.
“Hey, Zane.I'm at Luna's; are you coming today?”I glanced at Jess as she listened intently, then she said goodbye and hung up.I looked at her, expecting her to share, but she remained silent.
“So, like I said, everything will be alright,” Jessica remarked, taking a sip of her tea.“By the way, we're going to a party next Saturday.You should come!”she said, her excitement palpable.
“Whose party?”I asked.
“Oh, it's my classmate, Aurora.She's inviting everyone.”
“But I don't really know her.I've seen her around, but we've never actually talked,” I replied.
“Don't worry about it!She said I could bring friends.Come on, just relax.Everything will work out.I'm not mad at you anymore, and the situation with Emily will sort itself out soon,” she said with a teasing smile.
“I don't know; I'll think about it,” I replied, matching her grin.
“Awesome!Zane just arrived, so I have to head out.But let's catch up soon!You should come over; it's been too long,” she said, standing up and slipping on her coat.
My eyes widened as I caught sight of Zane outside through the window.How did he know where I lived?Jessica hadn't mentioned anything to him during their call.
“Hey, how did he know where I live?”I asked, curious.
“Small town,” she said smiling.I walked her to the door, and we hugged goodbye.I watched as she approached Zane’s car, his intense gaze locking onto mine, making me feel uneasy.I truly disliked the idea of them dating, and deep down, I feared that he would hurt her eventually.
That evening, Mom returned home, and after yet another awkward dinner filled with strained small talk, she knocked on my door.
“Can I come in?”she asked, her smile barely masking the tension as she peeked inside.I nodded, and she entered, shutting the door quietly behind her.She approached my bed and settled herself on the edge while I lay there, engrossed in a book.
“Luna, we need to talk,” she began, her voice tentative.“I can sense that you're upset with me, and I completely understand.I realize now that I've been neglecting our family, but it's only temporary.I love you more than anything.”
“Do you love Dad?”I shot back, my tone sharp.Her eyes widened in surprise.
“Of course I do!What kind of question is that?I love you both so much.I hate this situation, this distance that seems to be growing between us.We used to be such a close family—talking and spending time together,” she recalled, her voice trailing off as memories surfaced.
“You're right.We used to be,” I retorted.
“Luna, I don't understand why you're so upset.I told you it's just a temporary situation.If it bothers you so much, I can leave Rome and return to work at the studio here.Would that make you happy?”Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“Would you really do that?”I asked, my voice wavering.
“Of course, I would do anything for you.”
“And would you leave your boyfriend behind?”I asked, meeting her gaze directly, the words hanging heavy in the air.My eyes brimmed with tears as I struggled to hold them back.She gasped, her mouth falling open in disbelief, her eyes searching mine for clarity.“I came to Rome to surprise you, just like you always wanted.But instead, I discovered something I wish I hadn't.Mom, I saw you with another man.”My voice broke, and I curled up, burying my face in my knees as tears streamed down.She stood there, speechless, and I looked at her, waiting for an apology.But her shock morphed into anger.
“I don't know what you think you saw, but you're mistaken,” she bit out, her teeth clenched.
“I know what I saw!You were kissing another man in the street.What about Dad?How could you do this to him?”My anger flared.She stood up, ready to storm out.
“I'm not having this conversation with you.You're wrong,” she asserted, turning towards the door.
“Mom?”I called, and she paused, slowly turning her head back to me.
“Don't lie to me.I can see the smoke in your eyes,” I said, my voice steady.Her lips quivered, and her dark eyes filled with tears.She didn't say a word as she walked out, closing the door behind her.
I echoed her words from my childhood, the ones she used to say to me.The fear of lying back then gripped me; I wondered if she could feel the same, if it might prompt her to speak honestly.I wondered what might have torn our family apart and when that fracture occurred.
I wished I was still a child and naive, wishing I could remain blissfully unaware, especially of her with that man.If only we could return to the way things were before.Ignorance would bring me more joy than the reality I was currently facing.Yet, I knew that just because it would make me happier didn't mean it was the right path forward.
