RISKING FOREVER by TARA GALLINA

Author:TARA GALLINA [GALLINA, TARA]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

"WHAT'S THE UPDATE on your classes?" Mom asks from the sink where she’s rinsing out her coffee cup. She's wearing clean nurse scrubs, about to head into the emergency room for another double shift.

This is the perfect time to tell her I'm moving out. If she erupts in the way I expect her to, she won't be able to stay and argue for long or else she'll be late, and she hates being late.

"My grades are good." That's what she's really asking. "And, I got a job!" I take my books from the breakfast counter over to my bag by the couch. The further apart we are the better.

She dries her hands on a dishcloth. "It's about time you did. What is it?"

"Receptionist work." I perch on the arm of the couch.

She snaps her fingers at me. "Don't do that, Ainsley. Sit on the couch properly."

I slide down onto the cushion. "The pay is good, really good, and I can work remotely so I'll save on gas and it won't interfere with my studies or classes."

"Smart. I approve." Using the microwave as a mirror, she paints her lips a light pink and tucks a few golden strands into her perfect up-do. "You should consider cutting the length of your hair into something more sophisticated now that you have a professional job. It will help you later when you're applying to be a teacher. You can't redo a first impression and you never know who you might meet." She puts the lipstick in her purse. "Did I tell you about Julie's daughter?"

The lady works with Mom as an ER nurse. I'm sure the story is something wonderful about her high-achieving child.

"Her daughter is a senior at Winter Park High." Mom nods as if to remind me that’s where I went to high school. "She's already been accepted to Harvard and Yale, full scholarships to each. Can you believe it?"

"That's great." I fake enthusiasm. All Mom's friends have brilliant children with even more brilliant futures. Sometimes I wonder if she makes up the stories.

"She's the first in the family to achieve Ivy League status," Mom continues. "Can you imagine?"

I'm sure you wish you could imagine. I'm no brainiac, but I'm not dumb, yet she tells stories like this as if I'm not trying hard enough. Evan didn't go to an Ivy League college, and my brother is a genius. He attended UF for four years instead because he didn’t want to leave Florida. I'm the black sheep. The child who wants to follow Dad's footsteps more than Mom's, an utter waste according to her.

Mom pushes the stools in at the counter, lining them up in a straight row.

My time is running short. I need to do this now or I'll have to text her I’m moving out after she leaves.

Hmm? Would that be better? It would be the wimpy way out, but it would save me her lecture that I don't know what I'm doing.

"There's something I need to tell you." Mom draws in a breath as if gearing up for a speech.

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