Page 14 of Scandalous Contract
We’d been apart for more than one week. But I didn’t point that out. I didn’t want to be one of those helicopter moms. I wanted her to have friends, to have fun. And I loved her independence. But I also needed her to be safe. Tears swam in her gaze.
I sighed. “Fine. I’ve raised you to be a smart and responsible young lady. Now, it’s time for me to trust you to be that way even when I’m not around.”
India blinked at me. “Wait, are you saying I can stay?”
“What do you think?”
“Really, ma?”
“Yes, really.”
She grinned, eyes widening. “Wow, I was expecting, like... a whole speech about responsibility and safety and...”
“Oh, don’t get it twisted, young lady. That’s coming.”
She giggled. “Hit me with it. I’m ready.”
“I’ll expect hourly check-in texts.”
“Mommm,” she groaned. “Hourly? That’s too much.”
“Every eight hours, India. If you miss a check in, I’m calling you. If you don’t answer, I’m coming for you.”
“Why do you sound like someone out of a mafia movie?” India laughed.
“Don’t turn me into the Godfather,” I warned. “And I want the address where you’ll be staying, every number of everyone staying there, and a full itinerary.”
“Yes, Mom. I’ll have all that ready for you in a few hours.”
“And if I suspect something is wrong, I’m coming to get you.”
“Yes, ma’am. I can’t believe you’re letting me stay. You’re the best mom ever!”
I didn’t feel like the best mom ever. I took another sip of tea, ignoring the tightness in my chest. Was I making a bad decision by letting her stay with friends for a week? I held in my sigh. My baby was growing up.
However, she was still only seventeen and wouldn’t be eighteen for a few more weeks. She graduated high school early with honors and had never gotten in trouble. Not once. She’d been such an easy baby and teen that I’d rarely had to discipline her.
She’d worked hard and had gotten a full ride to college. But she was still just a baby to me. However, I wanted her to enjoy this period of her life. Soon, she’d be out in the real world, and her career would become her priority.
Most of us worked our entire lives, then retired at an age when we were too old to truly enjoy the fruits of our labor. That was life. It was good for her to enjoy these carefree days before adulthood reared its head.
I smiled as I watched her eat. My India had her own life now. And I needed to figure out what the hell I was going to do with mine since she no longer needed me to hold her hand every step of the way.
I guess that was my problem to work through while I was on vacation. I stared down at my hands. India may not need anyone to hold her hand anymore, but I sure wished I had someone to hold mine.
