Page 93 of Making New Plans

“Yes!” I said too loudly, pointing at her. “Yes, that’s what I’m feeling. And I know what I want. Actually, I want a lot of things. So, I’m going to get those right now.”

“You…what?”

I whipped my phone out of my pocket and called Cheryl, the head of the Decorating Committee.

“Yes, hi, Cheryl? I’m calling to say that I quit the committee. I have too much on my plate, and frankly, I hate decorating.”

Sarah choked on her cereal then set her bowl down and thumped her chest.

I barely heard Cheryl’s confused acceptance before I said goodbye and called the next committee on my list while Sarah watched me, her face frozen in shock and awe.

I also quit the Landscaping, Historical Society, Craft, and Vendor committees. Bad snacks, gossiping locals, or just a distaste of the subject matter went into my decision-making. I stayed on the Small Business, Tourism, Emergency Preparation and Event Planning committees, however, because I actually enjoyed those.

“Damn, Chloe,” Sarah finally said. “I thought you were just going to kick your mom’s ass and be done with it. Not literally, of course. Although I wouldn’t mind de-feathering that hat of hers. I hate that thing.”

“She’s next on my list,” I said confidently. “But before I do that, I have one question.”

Sarah lifted an eyebrow.

“Would you and Carter let me practice drumming with you?”

Sarah’s face lit up in a rare show of excitement. “Really? Don’t mess with me, Higgins. You really mean that?”

I laughed. “If you’ll have me.”

“Oh, we’ll have you. Not only would it be so much fun, but it’d get Carter off my back about our drummer. He chews with his mouth open and reeks of stale sweat, but we couldn’t find anyone else. I’m gonna tell Carter right now.”

She slipped off her stool and ran into the living room with her phone.

I went upstairs to my room and called my mother.

She answered on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Hi, Mom.” I took one steadying breath and dove in. “Since I know you would never call and apologize for your behavior, I wanted to let you know just how much I didn’t care for what you did and how hurtful it was.”

She didn’t even have to clarify what I meant. “Wasn’t I right in the end?”

The smugness in her voice nearly made me crack the phone screen. “While Hunter did leave, you were still wrong. You’ve been wrong about a lot of things. And I made the mistake of not seeing it sooner.” I paced my room, my voice getting stronger. “You were wrong to leave my high school talent show the way you did. You were wrong to push me away from the things and people I love and toward the life you want for me without asking what I really want. You never cared about what I wanted.”

My mom’s voice was like ice leaking through the phone. “I did all of that so you would have the best life I could foresee. You’re simply too selfish to understand.”

“No, I understand perfectly now, Mom. And I’m done letting you use my life to fix your mistakes. If you’re unhappy with your life, then fix it yourself and leave mine alone. I’m done. Done with Sunday night dinners. Done with the committees you put me on. Done with dating men you picked. Done.”

Silence. My heart pounded so hard and loud I thought for sure she could hear it.

Finally, she responded, “So, you’re just going to leave, like your brother?”

My heart twisted. “No. I’m staying right here with the life I created for myself. And maybe one day when you can love me for who I am, we can spend time together again. But until then, I won’t let you drag me down anymore.”

More silence.

“Goodbye then, Chloe.” There was nothing in her voice. No malice, no rage, just conclusion.

“Goodbye, Mom.”

We ended the call. I took one breath. Then another. My lungs still worked. My mind still functioned. My heart still beat. Everything was fine.

Everything but those pieces of my heart that had fled to Boston.

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