Page 108 of Robbin’ the Rich

“And about the whole Micah situation. I wish there was an easy answer.”

“You and me both,” I said before blowing on the biscuit and popping a bite into my mouth. The cheesy, garlicky goodness hit my taste buds and the comfort hit.

“I just don’t want you to feel like this somehow supports your ideas that the world is bad and people are shit.”

“Mom, did you just cuss?”

“I did.”

An actual laugh came out of me. It felt like it’s been forever since I laughed.

“But I'm serious, Robin. You’ve been skeptical about things since the day you were born, it’s part of your terrifying charm. But somewhere along the way you got the idea that letting people in was foolish. It was like somehow trusting people became a weakness. And then when people make mistakes, as all people will do, you take on that mistake as a reason to build your walls higher.”

I shoved the rest of the biscuit in my mouth. I didn’t want to hear it because I knew it was true.

“Do you think Micah is untrustworthy, or do you think he made a mistake? Those don’t have to be the same thing?”

I glared at her, but she just tucked my wet hair behind my ears and smiled at me.

“I know you’re right. I’m just so confused.”

“I know baby, you have every right to be. Just don’t beat yourself up over someone else's issues.”

“Thanks mom,” I said before picking up another biscuit.

“Anytime, sweetheart. That’s what I’m here for. Now, I’m going to call you tomorrow to check on you, and if you don’t answer I’m coming back over.”

I hugged her one more time. “I promise. No more dodging your calls.”

“Thank you,” she kissed my cheek before getting her jacket on and getting her purse.

“I love you, chickie.”

“I love you too mom.”

I walked her to the door and as I opened it, I saw some familiar faces. There standing in the hallway about to knock was Belle, Eleanor, and Mel.

“I see I wasn’t the only person whose calls you were dodging,” she said grinning at the women. “Hello girls, you’ll be happy to know Robin has showered.”

“Mother…”

“Goodbye sweetheart.”

And with a kiss on the cheek, she was gone.

“Care to share what is going on?” Mel asked with her arms crossed over her chest.

I just held the door open as they all filed in.

“I’m not gonna lie. I was expecting to come here and find you with a video game controller in your hand wallowing in filth,” Belle said looking around the apartment.

I shrugged. “If you’d gotten here an hour ago, that is what you would have found.”

“Was that you mom?” Eleanor asked.

I nodded. “She got tired of my dodging her calls and came over… and cleaned up and cooked.”

“Seems like a good mom,” Eleanor said.