Bates and Memphis already have the TV on when I plop my ass on her fluffy couch with a happy sigh. My belly is mostly full, I’m comfortable as hell, and I have my family. What more could I ask for?
Waylynn
As soon asI step foot in my room, I know I’m probably done for the night. Just changing my clothes isn’t going to be enough, I need to shower too. I liked the restaurant, but I don’t know if I would rush to go back because I feel so greasy. I sort out some clothes, noting I need to do laundry.
After taking my pill and retrieving my phone from my bag, I hook it on the corner of the chair and head to the bathroom. When my phone screen lights up, I see I have several texts from my mom asking if I’m okay and growing increasingly urgent.
“Oh crap.” Instead of texting back, I call her.
“Waylynn?” Her tone reflects her worry.
“Hey, sorry I missed your message. I was out. Is everything okay?”
“Is that why you missed your appointment with Maxwell? You were out?” Some of the worry she was expressing morphs into anger, or at least irritation.
“Oh no!” I squeeze my temples. I forgot it was Wednesday. My appointments with my therapist used to dominate my thoughts, but not so much lately. Maybe I am getting better. “I forgot, Mom. I went to dinner with a few friends.”
“We were all very worried, Waylynn,” she chastises. It’s unusual that I get scolded. Other than my mental health issues, I would say I’m a pretty good daughter. “I almost called the hospital.”
I can just imagine her fretting away. I feel guilty, but it was one time. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll apologize to Maxwell and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Well…” She huffs, losing steam. “I’m glad you’re okay, but please don’t make this a habit, Waylynn.”
“I won’t.” I roll my eyes. I already promised it wouldn’t happen again.
“Are you home now?” she questions.
“Yeah, about to jump in the shower actually if you can hear the echo. We went to this steak place where you cooked your own meat at the table, and I feel gross.”
She clicks her tongue. “Yes, well, make sure you wash your face well. I can’t imagine all those oils are good for your skin.” Of course she would worry I would get a blemish. “Did you at least have fun? Who went?” The last part comes out much breezier, like she’s not really that curious, but I know she is.
“Just a few of us. Memphis, Oswald, and their friend, Bates. I’ve met him a few times…and Michele was there.” I add the last part so it’s not obvious I’m only hanging out with guys. I feel like that might push my mom over the edge tonight.
“Oh, you’ve been spending a lot of time with those two boys,” she observes, waiting for me to fill in more blanks.
“Yeah, I like them both a lot.”
“Oh dear, well, be careful there. You don’t want them both trying to win your affection. That might cause some strain.”
I laugh a little, and I hope she can’t tell it’s from nerves. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
“That’s good,” she agrees, not understanding the meaning at all, which I’m grateful for. I have no idea how my parents will react when or if they find out I’m alreadydatingboth of them.
“Well, I’ll let you take a shower. Make sure you send a message to Maxwell’s office so they know everything is okay.”
“I will. They called you?” I confirm.
“Yes, when you weren’t there for your meeting and didn’t answer his call.”
I suppose that’s reasonable, but it still feels like a small violation, considering I’m over eighteen and no longer even living at home. “Okay, I’ll send an email before I get in the shower and apologize.”
“I’m glad you’re getting out, Waylynn, and experiencing things. We all just worry about you.”
“I know. I’ll talk to you later. Love you, bye.”
“Love you too, bye.”
Right after I hang up, I send the email I promised, explaining I just forgot to set an alert for the new time and that I was out to dinner with friends. Hopefully, he won’t be too upset, since he did assign me the homework of making some friends.
