Blame It on the Moon by Diane Michaels

Author:Diane Michaels [Michaels, Diane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ArrowHeart Press
Published: 2023-10-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Paradoxes, Expansions, and Contractions

The incessant beeping of a truck driving in reverse turned my coffee bitter. My mother peered through the kitchen window, which didn’t afford her a clear view of the driveway next door. “That must be the moving truck. Today’s October first, right?”

I nodded, unable to speak, thanks to the lump wedged in my throat.

“Well, time to see the degree of your father’s hatred for me. If the new family has three screaming children and a dog who always gets loose and digs in my flower beds, it will confirm he chose the tenants specifically to annoy me.”

“You don’t have him to blame for their existence.” I set my mug on the table and dragged it in small circles, fascinated by the dull scraping sound it made.

“Then who should I blame?”

My mother hadn’t questioned why I had been with her the entire weekend instead of in Morristown. I hadn’t dumped Chet on Tuesday. Oh, I had wanted to, but I couldn’t unhitch myself from him. Not yet. Having a boyfriend meant I had armor. Unless I had proof Juana and Luz weren’t moving in next door, I couldn’t leave myself unprotected. Decisions regarding our future would have to wait.

“You don’t have to blame anyone. Chet did a favor for someone his mom knows who needed a home, and he did Dad a favor by finding a tenant ready to move in today.”

“A veritable hero, that boyfriend of yours.” Her nasal tone contradicted her message. “Did he at least tell you who the people are?”

“Um, I think the tenant is a single woman around your age. Also an adult daughter? I can’t remember.”

“Hmph. Maybe they won’t be horrible. We should introduce ourselves. Put on respectable clothes, Emily. You can’t meet our new neighbors while wearing your pajamas. Honestly, I’d prefer it if you didn’t spend the day lounging around in them anyhow. It’s very unbecoming.”

“Lounging around isn’t in my future. I have to spend several hours on a report for Chet. The beauty of working from home is I don’t have to look pretty for anyone.”

I supposed had I moved next door, I still wouldn’t have gained the freedom to wear whatever I wanted in my home. The Perez situation notwithstanding, I should view Chet’s scheme as a blessing.

“I can’t believe I’ve raised a daughter who doesn’t care about her appearances. Sloppy clothes, sloppy attitude, right?”

Instead of saying whatever, I translated it into a heavy sigh and an eye roll. And immediately felt guilty for it.

“How considerate to want to welcome your new neighbors. I bet you’ll be their first neighborhood well-wisher. Still, perhaps you should wait until they’ve unloaded the truck. They must have their hands full, managing where to put the boxes and furniture.” Hopefully, I’d be immersed in my project by the time she went next door and would be unable to join her.

“You’re right, dear. In the meantime, I could run over to The Market Basket and buy them a housewarming gift. Cookies and a cheery plant.

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