Page 3 of Time To Live Again

And she’s still rambling. “Now that I know you aren’t dead, where are you and what are you doing? When will you be back? I had to cancel the spa appointments I made for us as a surprise for your birthday.”

Andy really hasn’t told her anything! My stomach churns with guilt. What was I thinking, just getting up and leaving?

There wasn’t anything specific that pushed me over the edge. It was more an accumulation of things. But last night, the will to leave was so strong, I had to go. It was like two hands were on my back this morning, pushing me out the door. I was lucky to get a room at this hotel a couple of days ago.

“I’m at a hotel.”

“W–wait, what? Where? And for how long?” she stammers.

“I’m not saying.”

“Olivia…I don’t understand. Did something happen? Is this code for being kidnapped? Should I call 911?”

I chuckle to myself at how insane this is.

“Nope. Not kidnapped, Mom. But I need some space, and I don’t have that when I’m at home.” A moment of silence follows.

I may live alone, but Mom shows up whenever she feels like it. Which happens a lot. She begs me to move back home all the time, but that’s one thing I refuse to do. I drew the line with giving her a key too.

“We could’ve gone somewhere together,” she finally whines. “A change of surroundings would’ve been good for the both of us.”

“I want to bealone, Mom,” I emphasize. “And your other child’s visiting, don’t forget. Tomorrow’s his birthday. Focus on him for once.” He’s a year older than me, but we were born in the same year. Him in January and me in December.

“Yeah, Mom. What am I, chopped liver? I offered to go to the spa with you,” Andy chimes in, laying it on thick.

“Oh please, Andrew. Like you want a mani-pedi.”

“I’d do it. My dogs have been barking something fierce lately.”

I crack a smile. Andy’s such a wiseass. It’s the way he deals with Mom’s overbearing personality. He acts like a goofball when he’s home, but he’s one of the most intelligent guys I know.

“Don’t you want to hang out with your awesome, successful son?” Andy adds. I can picture his pouty face and puppy dog eyes as he tries to distract her.

“Don’t pretend you’re innocent here. You know something about your sister’s whereabouts and you aren’t telling me,” Mom retorts. Hints of anger are hard to ignore.

I tune out their bickering for a moment. I should hang up since she knows I’m not dead.

Too late.

“Now, Olive.” Oh—it’s Olive again. “You’re being ridiculous. Tell me where you are, and I’ll be there as soon as I can. It’ll be fun.” Her voice turns hopeful, as if I’m going to give in.

My guilt switches to full-blown anger. I hadn’t realized how overbearing my mom has become until Uncle Bruce and Andy confronted me about it. They suggested an intervention. Hence my escape.

“Would you listen to me, Mom? I know it sounds harsh, but I don’t want you here. I don’t wantanybodyhere. I need to deal with some stuff, and I can only do that when I’m far away from everyone and everything.”

“Think about what things, honey? We’ve always been open with each other.”

I don’t need to see her face on the screen to know that her eyes are blinking faster than normal. A clear giveaway that she’s out of her element and control. She only hears what she wants to hear.

“Not always. I haven’t been happy for a long time.” Something she should’ve noticed, but as far as I can tell, hasn’t.

“It’s been rough since your dad died. It takes time.”

“There’s more to it, and you know that. Things changed for me long before Dad passed away.”

“But did you really have to leave me on your birthday and New Year’s Eve? It’s selfish when we’re supposed to go to your uncle’s to celebrate.”

There’s the word.Selfish. It took longer than I thought.

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