Page 4 of David

“Chloe.”

“She’ll be back.”

“And Thea.”

“She’s getting married soon, and she’s a mom. It’s normal to have a different life than me.”

She studies me for a moment.

“So, how is your life?” she asks.

I freeze before wagging my finger at her.

“Oh… I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to stir me up. Things are great. I’m looking for a new place to live.”

“Uh-huh….”

She keeps munching on her apple.

“I’m writing a book.”

“Okay.”

Her gaze dips as if something more interesting than myaccomplishments has caught her eye.

“You don’t believe in my writing…” I murmur.

She pushes her eyes up and weighs her words for a few seconds.

Terry is a good, supportive mother. She’s my rock.

And if she doesn’t believe in my writing or she thinks it’s a bona fide waste of time, I surely can’t blame her for that.

And it has nothing to do with whether my writing is good or bad. With patience, discipline and dedication I can improve my craft.

It’s that she thinks it’s my coping mechanism, and I’m hiding behind my writing.

Maybe there is a kernel of truth in that.

Maybe despite denying everything my mother said, the changes in my life have left me bereft and grieving.

The thing is… I miss how things were.I miss Thea, Chloe, and myself––the way we all were.

I miss planning to go overseas, living adventurously, and exchanging tips on finding good men.

Thea went overseas and found her man.

Chloe is now in a student exchange program. She is temporarily living in Spain. What do I know? Maybe she’ll find her man as well.

In the meantime, I’m stuck here. I can’t travel. I’m not even going out.

The last failed attempt at having a meaningful relationship ended badly. Not in tears, but with a distaste for men, or at least the kind of man I used to date and go to classes with.

There’s nothing wrong with that, though.

College students, I mean.

Thea’s first husband was a college professor and… a dick.

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