Page 4 of Love Letter Lost
“I know. But you’ve been single for so long, and he sounds nice. There’s no way the two of you didn’t hit it off.” Her voice grew louder with her excitement, and I was certain if my roommates were awake, they could hear every word from the other room.
“Here’s the thing—”
“Just wait until I tell Trudy Oscarson. She’ll be green with envy. It’s been years since she’s gotten to plan a wedding, what with all her kids married except for Debra. Anyway, once you’re married, it won’t be hard to convince Bruce to move up here. I’m sure we can find a place in the neighborhood. And—"
“Hold up, Mother.” I practically yelled into the phone. “It was one date.”
“It can’t hurt to be prepared, Mal-bear.” I cringed at her use of my childhood nickname. I hated it, but she kept using it despite my requests she stop. “What harm is there in a little daydreaming? I mean weddings are pure magic and I’ve dreamed of yours since I found out I was having a girl. Where I didn’t get to plan one last year, I was hoping this year would be the year. Not to mention, I’ve always dreamed of having you kids close.”
“There’s a bit of harm, especially when it leads to rumors and questions from extended family about my nonexistent fiancé.” Which would undoubtedly be followed by comments about my former fiancé.
“But honey, you’re dating someone now. Dating leads to engagement which, in most cases, leads to marriage and a forever home with kids. It’s really not that big of a leap.” Her thought processes left me dizzy and out of breath despite decades of experience. Not to mention we both knew that “forever homes” weren’t a guaranteed part of her formula.
“Enough.” I did shout this time, my face flushed and my hands shaking as I attempted to slow my bulldozer of a mother. “Bruce was not my type at all. There will be no second date or any of the other things you just listed.” I gritted my teeth, each word coming out like the clack of a nail gun.
“Oh.” She finally broke the silence with the quiet, hurt-filled word. “You didn’t have to shout.”
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose so hard it hurt. My mother’s ability to jump from one extreme emotion to another was legendary, and I was a professional at triggering it, especially since the accident over a decade ago that had transformed my mother’s hovering tendencies from bearable to suffocating.
“I’m sorry.” I stared up at the ceiling, noting that it could also use a fresh coat of paint. At least there was something in my life I could fix. “I’m just frustrated about a few things and took it out on you.” My biggest frustration was my mother’s efforts to micromanage my life, but I wasn’t about to explain that to her.
“I just want you to be happy.” She choked the words out, and I knew I’d be getting a text later from Dad wondering what I’d said to make Mother cry. Hopefully, he’d see the humor in the situation and help me see it as well.
“I know.” I decided we needed a change of topic. “Did Dad tell you the flooring guys are coming in two weeks?” While Dad owned the apartment building I lived in, he’d given me complete control over renovations in all of the units.
“Yes. I’m glad the two of you are making progress on your little home improvement project.”
My home renovations were more than a “little” project, something she should understand after helping Dad flip homes for years. They were my ticket into property management, though now wasn’t the time to remind her of my plans. It would just make us both angry, again. Instead, I spent the next few minutes trying to make her feel better with promises of future shopping trips and discussing details for Livvy’s wedding.
By the time I hung up, I was exhausted, but I needed to get moving if I was going to help Livvy.
I pushed out of bed and quickly dressed for a day of physical work, wearing a t-shirt from a school fundraiser and a pair of faded sweats.
My phone dinged as I headed to my car. I glanced at the screen to find a text from my brother. Chris was three years my junior and only texted me for favors or my birthday. Since my birthday was still six months away, I was curious to see what Chris would ask for today.
CHRIS: Hey, sis. Quick question.
ME: Hi, bro. What’s up?
CHRIS: You’re still single, right? Mom keeps saying you are, but I wanted to double check.
I rolled my eyes and considered how to respond. The fact Chris had to ask proved how little attention he paid to my life.
ME: Last time I checked…
CHRIS: Great. I have this friend Sheila wants to set you up with. Want to double with us?
What is it with my family?I wondered as I stared at the words filling my screen. My mother must have called Chris and his wife, Sheila, after we spoke. I stuffed my phone into my pocket. It was the third time in a month that someone from my family had tried to set me up. It would be humorous if I wasn’t so frustrated. Just because Chris had married and moved down the street from my parents, the perfect distance for my helicopter mom to check in daily, didn’t mean I would follow suit.
Why can’t they leave my romantic life alone?Between work, roommates, and managing the apartment complex, I didn’t have time for love, and my family needed to accept that. Maybe if I signed up for the property management course I’d been eyeing at the nearby university, they’d believe me the next time I said I was busy.
I was climbing into my car when my phone started ringing, and this time Livvy’s smiling face filled my screen.
“How’s the future Mrs. David Okada doing today?”
“In need of a huge favor. How are you?”
I paused. Livvy was never one to beat around the bush, but this was a whole new level of direct. “I’m fine.” I spoke the words slowly, afraid of what might come next. “Just about to drive over.”
