Cursed by Karol Ruth Silverstein

Author:Karol Ruth Silverstein
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Published: 2019-06-24T16:00:00+00:00

29

next-next step: we break the news to mom

I arranged to meet Mom at Coffeeland on 16th Street. The place is pretty small, which is part of the reason I chose it. Fewer innocent bystanders if she blows her top. She’s not expecting Dr. Dad to be here with me, but I needed him here to make sure she listens. I glance around, noting with relief that there are just enough people here to make a screaming match unlikely (though not out of the question, since a crowded Temple Owls game was apparently “okay”).

I nurse a hot chocolate, rehearsing what I plan to say to Mom in my head, while Dr. Dad empties three Splenda packets into his cappuccino. He suggested that I do most of the talking to make it clear that it was my idea, which it was. Not to mention my idea has to do with which doctor I want to take care of my body.

Mom arrives moments later, looking almost stunning in a pretty yellow sweater and jeans, her hair grown in just right. I wave at her and watch as her face registers Dr. Dad’s presence—the initial happy smile at seeing me is replaced by a tight pursing of the lips, then replaced again with a slightly less authentic smile. I try to hang on to how the first smile made me feel as she glides to our table in the back corner of the room.

“Hi, sweetie, you feeling better?” she says, sitting beside me on the plum-colored sofa and giving me a peck-on-the-cheek/sideways-hug combo. “You had me worried.”

“I’m good,” I tell her. “It was just a one-day thing.”

She acknowledges Dr. Dad with a curt nod. “Peter. Wasn’t expecting to see you.”

“I asked him to come,” I say quickly, hoping to put Mom at ease, but there’s no way she doesn’t think we’re about to gang up on her. In a way, I guess we are.

“Joyce, you’re looking terrific,” Dr. Dad says.

“Thank you. I feel terrific,” she replies, her tone light, but I can tell she’s bracing for the potential ambush. “So, what’s all this about?”

Dad nods at me, encouraging me to start.

“I’ve decided I want to switch doctors.”

Mom’s face registers surprise. “Oh. I thought maybe you’d gotten us together to campaign for a new phone for your birthday next month.”

“I do desperately need a better phone!” I say.

“Yeah, your dad and I already discussed it and decided a kid who cuts six weeks of school, regardless of the reason, doesn’t exactly deserve a shiny new phone.”

I shoot an annoyed look at Dr. Dad. Traitor. He shrugs. Then I remember what we’re all here for. “But about switching doctors—”

“I know Dr. Blickstein is prickly but I don’t think making a change so early on is a good idea.”

I want to snap at her, but I bite my tongue. I need to come off like I’ve thought this through (which I have) and like I’m mature enough to make this decision for myself (which I am).

“Mom,” I say firmly, “prickly is an understatement.

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