Edge of Ready by L.B. Tillit

Author:L.B. Tillit
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Saddleback Educational Publishing
Published: 2014-01-08T21:45:58+00:00

CHAPTER 26

Not Again

Mom’s look was familiar. She looked quickly away when our eyes met. She finally said, “I’m sorry, baby.”

“What are you talking about, Mom?” I was packing up my school books and get- ting ready to head to the bus.

“I have to work late three nights a week for the next two months.” She started cleaning old plates off the kitchen table. When I didn’t answer she tried to explain. “Ted gave me first pick at some overtime while Brit is out recovering from an ac- cident.” I just looked at her. “You know, I told you about Brit.”

“No you didn’t, Mom,” I said as calm- ly as I could. I had never heard of Brit and I didn’t care about Brit. “You don’t have to take the extra hours.”

Mom put the last paper plate in the trash. “Yes, I do. It’s a way for me to make more money and show Ted that I can do more. Maybe he’ll promote me.”

“Mom! Are you really that stupid to think Benny’s father wants to promote you?” I knew I shouldn’t have said it, but it was out. She slapped me. My mother had never slapped me before. She had spanked me when I was little, but this was different. I don’t know if tears flowed from the sting or from the hurt.

“Don’t you ever talk to me like that again!” Her voice was shaking. She just stood there with shock in her eyes. I knew she was just as shocked about the slap as I was. “Dani, I am trying to do my best.”

I whispered, “So am I.”

“You can go to school the other two days,” she said. As if that were a real option.

“You know that’s not enough,” I said as I headed for the door. I stopped and stared. I didn’t like my mother right then. I saw a woman who didn’t keep her prom- ise. I would never finish school. “Well, are you going to walk me to the bus or not? I have at least tonight to pretend I might graduate!”

Mom grabbed Benny and threw their jackets on. We walked to the bus in silence. I guess there was nothing else to be said.

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