Page 110 of Beautifully Broken
Trevor closes the door once I’m inside. He offers me a chair and takes the one next to it, so we’re both on the same side of his desk.
Trevor stares at me, concern clear in his blue eyes. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. But I’m here to listen to whatever you want to say.”
I give him a small grin. “That means a lot.” I steel my spine before continuing. “Mom always finds something to nit pick on me about every aspect of my life, but it’s usually when it’s just the two of us. For her to be that way in front of the entire staff was embarrassing.”
Trevor moves his chair closer. “I’m sorry, Soph. It’s not okay that she did that. I know that everyone in the office feels that way, too.”
I nod, grateful for the support of my colleagues. “I know, but she’s my mom, and when I try to talk to her about the way she makes me feel, all she does is go on about wanting what is best for me.” I pause, fighting back tears as Trevor holds my gaze intently. “It hasn’t always been this way, if you can believe it. We used to go on shopping trips and vacations. Or spa days over at that fancy hotel over on Woodrow Ave all the time. I hold on to those memories, hoping that one day, we’ll get back there.”
Trevor reaches over, cradling my cheek, and swipes a soothing thumb across my cheekbone. “I believe you Soph. You know, I think you’re one of the most caring people I know. Beautiful inside and out. You go above and beyond for everyone in your life. You are so damn special and if your mom can’t see that, she’s a damn fool.”
Trevor’s words light a fire inside me. He’s special too and I’m so lucky to have him in my life. I want to tell him how I feel, but just as I go to, my cellphone rings, stealing the moment. Reaching into my bag as he pulls his hand back, I glance at the screen and see it’s my mom.
“Hi Mom.” I flash Trevor an apologetic look, holding up my finger.
“Where are you? I called your extension, but there was no answer,” she questions.
“I just ran down the hall, mom. Do you need me?”
She sighs. “Why else would I be calling? Can you come to my office?”
I roll my eyes. “Of course. I’ll be right there.”
She hangs up, and I look over at Trevor. “Thanks for listening. I’ll see you later.”
He pushes off his chair at the same time I do. “You know you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
With my bag and purse in hand, I give him a nod. “It’s not worth the headache if I don’t.”
I leave his office and make my way down the hall to Mom’s office.
What I didn’t tell Trevor is, it’s always just been mom and me. The two of us against the world is what she used to say. My dad left before I could remember anything about him and wanted nothing to do with us. She’s made sure I’ve always had anything I wanted, short of a pony. I don’t have any debt from going to college because she paid for it. There isn’t a need to pay rent or utility bills like most people my age because she lets me live rent-free. So yes, I need to go to her office.
I walk straight in and take the seat across from her with my bag and purse in my lap.
She furrows her eyebrows. “Why do you have your things with you?”
Taking a deep breath, I nervously bite the inside of my cheeks before responding. “I’m not feeling well. I was heading home.”
She gets up and comes over towards me, concern on her face. “What’s wrong?”
I place a hand over my stomach. “I ate something bad this morning.”
“Is that why you were snippy this morning at the meeting?”
I shake my head. “No, it was because the last remark you made could have been a conversation between the two of us after. That was embarrassing for you to insinuate I didn’t know something I should.”
She leans against the edge of her desk. “Sophia, I’m sorry you felt I called you out, but my expectations for you are higher than everyone else’s.”
What she doesn’t understand is those expectations are what’s killing me. The constant barrage of remarks, the never-ending pressure to please her and make her proud that I’m her daughter. It’s all too much for any one person to handle. I have no control over her constant scrutiny. I’m living my life under a Cheryl-sized microscope. And I can’t say or do anything right because she’s always expecting more from me.
My mom drones on in the background, but I stop listening and stare out of her office window.
“Sophia, are you even listening to me?” she asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“I can’t deal with this right now, Mom. I don’t feel good. I’m going home.” Slinging my purse over my shoulder, I turn and exit her office.
Chapter 5
