For the next ten minutes, Mom explains it in layman’s terms, step by step, until I finally understand, and I sigh with relief, making her giggle.
“I swear if I had gone to Dad with this, he would have just frozen, and I would have kissed valedictorian goodbye,” I mutter as I drop my pen, and Mom agrees, “Yeah, considering your dad is the best mechanic in town, Physics was always his weakness.”
I smile slightly before saying, “Thank you, Mom.”
“Of course, you know you can ring me anytime,” she replies, and I swallow hard.
I can’t, though, can I? Even when I broke up with Drake two days after our Black Beauty show and he told the whole school I had herpes, she wasn’t there. Instead, she told me I shouldn’t have dated a guy she didn’t vet, just like she hasn’t given me any advice on how to stop Drake from trying to get my attention every day. He is practically bullying me to the point he’s no longer my partner in ballet and he’s been demoted only making the bullying worse.
Drake didn’t take the breakup well. I ended things respectfully, saying we were better as friends and after trying to embarrass me for a year, he’s now attempting to win me back. Most likely because he wants the lead role for his senior year. Ballet of the Arts rarely chooses understudies, which is what he is now.
“I should uh go, I’ve got some more work to do before practice,” I whisper, suddenly feeling cold, not knowing what to say because normally she says it first, and she sighs.
“When is your next show?” she asks, and I swallow hard.
She does this sometimes—gets my hopes up about ballet, only to disappoint me.
“The first one is tomorrow night,” I reluctantly admit, “We’re doing Beauty and the Beast and have raised twenty thousand dollars in tickets, all going to Rose Hill Memorial hospital.”
“I’ll be there,” she swears, and I swallow hard yet again and protest, “Mom,” knowing she won’t be, she never is, and honestly, I don’t think I can take the heartache anymore when she doesn’t show.
“I promise, Drew, I will be there. I think it is about time I see the passion the whole town says you hold when you dance,” she quickly says.
“And what if Elizabeth needs you?” I question quietly.
We both know that as soon as my little sister hears about this, she’ll intervene like she always does. Mom will choose her, while I’ll feel left out and abandoned.
“I think it is about time that I be there for you, darling,” she whispers, “I had a long hard conversation with your father half an hour ago when I went to give him his lunch. He’s helped me realize while I’m trying to make up for the fact I gave birth to your sister ten weeks early, even though it wasn’t my fault, I’ve neglected you. I haven’t helped you rise to the top with your passion while you are trying to become valedictorian. I haven’t been there for you when I should have been. I really am sorry, Drew.”
Tears well up and I blink rapidly, fighting to keep them from falling. My voice trembles as I choke out, "I would love for you to be there, Mom, but Elizabeth—she just wants everything Ihave. If you come, I’m scared she’ll lash out, and I’ll end up heartbroken when I don’t see you there."
“Oh, darling, I am so sorry,” she whispers, “I have failed you miserably, and because I’ve given your sister the mentality that she can do whatever she wants, her lashing out cannot get any worse than screwing your ex-boyfriend in her English class right now.”
I blink, then blink again, Mom’s words shocking me before anger and disgust rush through me at how mean-spirited my little sister can be if she can’t get her own way.
She’s hoping to get my attention and make me jealous, she’s hoping to hurt me. All it has done is piss me off that Elizabeth would give herself to a nasty guy like that, to put herself in danger.
“That’s statutory rape, Mom!” I snap, angry that she’s putting herself in danger, “And Drake is nasty mom, what on earth is she thinking?!”
“She’s thinking that I said no to her buying a new dress worth three thousand dollars so she can win over agents,” Mom replies flatly, and I stutter, “What, I mean, huh?”
She did… not over a dress?
“Yep,” Mom states, “it is the first time I’ve said no. A church parent sent me a recording of her bent over a desk that their son has sent them ten minutes ago.”
“Oh my god,” I whisper in absolute shock, and she sighs, “It’s my own fault really, I never should have babied her. I’ve created a spoiled monster while neglecting my eldest, and I truly am sorry, Drew.”
A few tears fall, and I sniffle as I wipe them away, and Mom sighs again.
"I promise I’ll be there tomorrow, front and center, to cheer you on. Tonight, I want to talk about Ballet of the Arts. Your dad showed me the paperwork and I’m proud of you darling. Weshould send the down payment, so you don’t lose your spot. I want you to follow your dreams, I promise I won’t hold you back again."
Damn.
“Okay,” I whisper, not knowing what else to say because a small part of me doesn’t believe her right now, doesn’t believe the nice side she’s showing.
I sniffle and wipe away the few tears that have fallen, just as the warning bell for lunch rings and Mom sighs.
“Right, you go and get something to eat, I called the police about Drake and your sister. I’ve got to get to your school with your dad, so let's see how she handles that. I love you, darling,” Mom whispers before she hangs up, and I swallow hard.
