Bloom by Bellebird James

Author:Bellebird James
Language: eng
Format: epub

Mom and I barely talk anymore. And when we do, it’s a text request for me to pick up milk on my way home. Or some random logistical detail about going to law school. And even then it’s mostly through messenger, and rarely face-to-face. Before Dad died, we used to sit on our front porch eating homemade cake, slurping chocolate milk, and gossiping about anything and everything.

On our way to work, Mom’s focus remains on the road. “Have you decided if you’re going to the law orientation day or not?” The rain batters the windshield, and Mom increases the wipers’ speed. They flick back and forth, the rhythm too chaotic for my mind.

“No, not yet. I figured they offer all the same tours and stuff on the day I move in.”

Mom darts an eye roll at me before returning her focus to the windshield. Clearly, I’m not meeting her expectations of law preparedness.

“It’s a five-hour drive each way, and we’d need to stay over. I figured the cost of gas and a motel would be too much and I’d rather save the money for tuition,” I say. “Gutted, though, because we could’ve stopped at that organic fruit-and-vegetable farm you love so much, the one with the café we used to stop at on road trips.”

“Are you sure there’s nothing required on the orientation day that you must attend?” Mom says, ignoring my comment about the organic café and my attempt to have a conversation like we used to.

“No, it says on the university website the tours are purely optional. Remember when we visited the café, and a flock of geese chased Eli and he freaked out?” I chuckle at the memory. He’s still terrified of geese.

“If you’re sure you’re not missing out on anything that counts as credit, then I suppose the money is better spent on tuition.”

I give up reminiscing and stop hoping it will ignite a spark and bring back the old Mom. Something tells me the version I used to know is long gone. I just wish the new Mom didn’t feel like a stranger.

We make it to the office, and I take my seat next to Deb, her phone tucked under her ear as she wipes a coffee stain off her top. I start up my computer and pull out the phone transcript. After weeks of trying to convince people to believe in the apartment development complex, I’ve learned two things. One: those apartments will only benefit those who can afford to pay the million-dollar price tag. Two: the amount of money Mom and Mike will make is ridiculous.

It’s not locals buying the apartments; it’s wealthy tourists, and Rockridge locals are not happy despite the money it will pump into the local economy. This gives me hope that there’ll be a big enough backlash from locals and the council may come to their senses.

Finishing her call, Deb puts the phone down. “Good luck. Ya won’t even need the transcript because they don’t let you get a word in with all the ranting.

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