Page 54 of A Whole New Play

“Sorry, Mom.” Carlee winces. “I didn’t see you there.”

“That shouldn’t matter,” Mrs. Jones chastises her daughter. “Your niece and nephew are here. They don’t need to hear that sort of language.”

I glance at the twins and confirm they’re too preoccupied taking in the sights to have heard what their aunt said.

Still, Carlee replies, “I know. I said I was sorry.”

Mrs. Jones hums a noncommittal sound.

Carter’s mom has been nothing but warm and welcoming the few times I’ve interacted with her since becoming her grandkids’ nanny. But she does give off a no-nonsense, Southern manners kind of vibe. I always make sure I’m on my best behavior when she’s around.

“Yeah, Carlee.” A tall, muscular figure walks into the suite. It’s Corey Johnson, Carlee’s boyfriend and Carter’s best friend since childhood. “Language.” The baseball star wraps a strong arm around her shoulder and shoots her a cheeky grin.

“Knock it off, Corey,” Mrs. Jones demands. “I know hanging around you and her brother is the reason my daughter is so quick to use obscenities these days.”

“Mom.” Carlee rolls her eyes. “I’m not five.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” the matriarch clips, but not without a smile of her own. She walks away to join her husband and twins without another word.

When she’s a few feet away, Carlee slides out from under her boyfriend’s arm and pushes him away playfully. “You’re the worst.”

“Sorry, babe. You know I’ve got to try and stay on your mom’s good side. She’s terrifying.”

“Sure. But you don’t need to throw me to the wolves in your place!”

“Agree to disagree.”

I smile, amused by the couple’s banter.

From what Carter has told me, Corey is like a brother to him. He, Carter, and Carlee grew up together, but things turned romantic for his sister and best friend when they were teenagers.

What little I know of their love story sounds like something out of a romance movie, but their teasing makes it lean more toward a romantic comedy. At least from the outside looking in.

Shaking her head, Carlee moves away from her boyfriend. She walks into the kitchenette area. “Hey, Valerie! How are you doing?” She gives me a quick hug.

“I’m doing great. How about you?”

“I’m good.” Her eyes fill with concern. “Carter told me about the accident. I’m glad you weren’t seriously hurt.”

“Me, too.”

The cuts and scrapes on my face are no longer noticeable underneath a thin layer of makeup. Even the scab on my bottom lip is gone, and my lip gloss hides the slightly discolored skin.

I knew I was lucky to not be more injured after hitting that deer, but it’s truly miraculous that I don’t have any other evidence of what happened to me. Other than my totaled car, that is.

Seeing the luxury car towed away from Dad’s condo had been hard. Not because I was particularly attached to it, but because it was paid off. Dad always harped on never carrying a car loan, and it was something I took to heart when I got my first big girl job. I’d used my savings and signing bonus as a hefty downpayment for the vehicle and then paid down the small loan as soon as I could.

It's been nice not having a car payment to worry about since quitting my accounting job. Now, I’m back to square one.

At least my insurance company cut me a decently sized check to cover the cost of a replacement. Thank God Dad told me not to skimp out on the coverage when I signed my first policy.

Mom had given the opposite advice.

She’d told me to use my bonus on something more valuable like designer clothes to wear to my new office job. As usual, I’m glad I listened to Dad’s advice over hers.

Even so, I still can’t get rid of my mom’s voice in the back of my head, telling me to buy another foreign luxury vehicle to replace the one I lost. It’s hard to ignore years of hearing her harp on the importance of image and how others perceive you. The desire to earn her approval almost made me give in, but I held strong.

I purchased a hybrid SUV with a high crash test rating and large trunk space. I know I told Carter that the accident was a one-time thing, but the experience affected me more than I let on. I feel much safer driving in a larger vehicle. Especially when I have Abby and Andy in the car.

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