Page 55 of Left Turn
The two of them spent the afternoon getting caught up on everything they’d missed since they’d last talked. Debra shared the local town gossip and updates on various family members while Alex shared news from her friends whom Debra knew.
Alex explained the coming changes at her job with the new global department. Debra asked questions and commented on how impressed she was that Alex was in charge of such a large endeavor. Alex felt like her mom was listening to her for the first time when she talked about her career.
As Alex set the table for dinner that evening, Debra asked, “And what’s going on with Mr. ‘Hottest Man Ever?’”
Alex tightened her grip to avoid dropping the plate she held and swung around, her mouth agape.
“What?” Debra asked. “I told you I’ve read more about you than I’ve talked to you. What did you think I meant?”
“Right. Um, well, we’re kind of dating. It’s weird.”
“Weird in what way?” Debra placed the tamale dish on the hot pad in the middle of the dining table.
They sat at the table and filled their plates while Alex contemplated the question. “He was flying to Houston for two weeks for business and I was flying home. We started talking and just hit it off. He’s down-to-earth, intelligent, and funny. We hung out while he was in town. I like him.”
Alex bit into a tamale and swallowed a drink of iced tea before continuing. “He’s at a different place in his life than I am. His career is established, and he’s looking to settle down. I’m still climbing my career ladder and have never considered a committed relationship.”
“Why is that?” her mom interrupted her speech just as Alex warmed to the topic.
“Because I have things I want to accomplish.”
“Why can’t you do them with someone by your side?”
Alex stared at her for a second before answering. “Because they take too much away from you.”
Debra’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”
Alex swallowed. “I don’t want to give up my dreams to follow someone else’s. I have my own dreams, and I refuse to give those up just to become someone’s wife.”
She lowered her gaze to the napkin she fiddled with in her lap and waited.
“Alex, look at me,” her mom commanded.
Alex raised her eyes to meet Debra’s gaze.
“Do you think that’s what I did? Gave up my dream to follow your dad?”
“Yes. You wanted to be an artist, and you were—no, youarereally good. But when you met Dad, you just quit. Threw everything away and became what he needed.” Alex reached over and took her mom’s hand. “I don’t want to lose myself in someone else. I’m happy where I am.”
“Oh, sweetie. I didn’t give up my dreams. They morphed into something bigger. When I met your dad, my world expanded beyond the canvas. Instead ofpaintingabout things I wanted to see and do, I got to live those things. Running the ranch gave a purpose to my life that painting never did. Yes, I loved to paint, both then and now. But painting was always a hobby for me, not a life goal. I love my life. I’m in charge of the ranch, directing the menu, managing the help, keeping records of our stock. And I get to do all that with the man I love.”
Alex watched her mom’s expression soften as she spoke of her husband. “I always assumed you’d given up your dreams. That you’d put yourself aside to focus on Dad’s vision.”
Her mom snorted. “You think your dad came up with all those new ideas on how to promote the ranch? Or save money by contracting with local butchers? Your dad thinks like a scientist. He’s all about crop rotation and breeding charts. He couldn’t balance a budget if his life depended on it.” Debra pointed her fork at Alex. “You got your business sense from me, young lady. And your flair for color.” She waved the fork in a circle, indicating the living area.
Alex burst out laughing. She’d never thought of her mom as a businessperson. Debra smirked at her mirth. How was it that, with all her experience reading people, she’d completely misread her mom all these years?
“So, back to the movie star…?”
Alex cleared her throat. “Um, yeah. He wants a serious relationship.”
“And you don’t?”
“Well, I wasn’t expecting it right now. And, geez, I can’t see it working for so many reasons. First off, it’s terrible timing. I’m ridiculously busy at work right now trying to get this department off the ground. And I’m fixin’ to be traveling every month for the next year. I’ll have so many miles racked up, the airlines will give me a parade when I enter the airport. They’ll set up a room for me because I’ll live there.” Alex rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.
Her mom snorted as Alex intended with her overly dramatic delivery.
“Second, he’s a movie star. What the hell do I know about show business? It’s such a different world that I have nothing to relate it to. Mom, they follow him everywhere. Any privacy he has, he ferociously guards. So far, I’ve only encountered it a few times, but according to Fin, it’s been light. The whole thing is bizarre.”
