Page 59 of Hate You, Maybe
You say that now, but wait until you fall in love, baby. You’ll sing a different tune.
Me
I’m sure you’re right.
This is what I text. But in my head, I’m thinking the list of tunes from my mom’s love life would make the longest playlist in history.
Me
Anyway, I’ve gotta go now. Work stuff.
Mom
You and your work. I wish you’d try to have a little more fun in your life, baby. Stop taking everything so seriously. Open up. Go on a date, for heaven’s sake.
Me
Good talk, Mom.
Mom
We’re texting.
Me
I meant thanks for the advice.
Mom
Oh. That. Well, you’re welcome. I love you, baby.
Me
Love you too.
On the way to the mess hall, clipboard in tow, I erase Loren’s FaceTime from my mind and focus on the text thread with my mom. She wants a Christmas wedding because it’s economically frugal and the anniversary date will be memorable?
No wonder I have trouble believing in real romance. Still, I do believe in lists. And being on time. And breakfast. That’s all the faith I need right now.
Merry pancakes.
Ho, ho, ho.
Chapter Sixteen
Dex
“You’ve got this, Kroft!”
I shout this up to Sayla, even though I’m not sure she doesgot this. She’d been handling the ropes all right until she reached the most challenging section of the course. Now she’s frozen thirty feet off the ground. And since I finished a while ago, there’s not much I can do from below except be supportive with my words.
“I shouldn’t have eaten three whole pancakes and bacon!” she shouts back at me.
“Should I remind you of that at lunch?”
“Do it and die!” she screeches.
“Fair enough!”
