Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom to pieces, and on mornings like today, when I needed her to console me, I’ve never felt more grateful. But, simple day-to-day boundaries continue to be broken, and I think it’s time we have our own space.
When we find the new place for the bakery, I’m hoping the realtor can find me an apartment nearby. That, however, will stay a secret until the time comes. She won’t mean to, but she’ll guilt trip me, and I’ll end up staying another year.
I step out of the bathroom, and my heart leaps out of my chest. “Hi.” My mom is standing right next to the door.
“For god’s sake, Mom. Give me a second to breathe.”
“Sorry.” She smiles. “Did you want to come with me? Ted Edelman said the tomatoes are all coming in.”
“Oh.” I frown. “I wanted to go and check it out, but I should get ready for class and make sure the cakes the kids made last week are thawed and set up on their stations. We’re practicing piping skills today.”
“We can go after the morning rush tomorrow,” she says, kissing me goodbye, then promises to stop by class on her way home.
The door to the bakery opens, and I turn to see Claud skipping through the entrance…alone.
“Sugar plum. What are you doing here, and who’s with you?” I ask, confused.
She giggles at her nickname I gave her during the winter, when she danced inThe Nutcracker, and runs toward me.
“Juliette.” She hugs me tight.
“I thought you were in the Hamptons. What are you doing here?”
She bounces in my arms. “I’m back just for class.”
My eyes widen in shock. “You came all the way back to the city for baking classes?”
“Well.” She looks down and lowers her voice. “I didn’t mean to cry. I know crying is for babies, but I saw it said Monday on the calendar, I got upset that I was missing class.”
I frown. “Who told you crying was for babies?”
If Harrison told her that, he’ll be getting a swift kick up his behind.
“Liam,” she whispers.
My anger flares. I hate Liam’s mom, and my irrational side now hates Liam too, but I remind myself he’s just a kid.
When he comes to class today, I’ll make sure to have a word with her.
“Well, don’t listen to Liam. I cry all the time,” I tell her truthfully. I cried for hours just this morning.
Her brown eyes widen with acknowledgment. “You do?”
“Of course, we all do. Did Liam say anything else to you?”
She thinks for a second. “I don’t think so.”
Thank god. I’m not in the mood to start shit with a parent today.
I stand up and take her hand to walk her toward the back of the class. “So you got upset, then what happened?”
She gives a half shrug. “Uncle Sebby said he doesn’t like seeing me sad, so he brought me to class. He’s going to drive us back later.”
Oh, Claudina Davenport has her uncle wrapped around her little finger.
“Okay, well, don’t listen to Liam anymore. Grab your apron, then take a seat, and we’ll wait for the rest of the kids to get here.”
“Okay…Juliette?”
