a grateful look. I’m going to have to figure out this car situation soon. I can’t keep using Easton’s truck when I need to go somewhere. He says he doesn’t mind, but still.
After giving Wesley a kiss on his cheek, we head out. As we’re about to reach Easton’s truck, I hear my name being called over my shoulder. I tense up, the voice bringing back a slew of bad memories.
“Cara!”
I can feel dread slither down my spine like a snake and I can’t help the frown that pulls my lips down.
“Mom?” I turn around fully to address her.
Dressed in a short skirt and a purple tank—no bra—she looks like she should be on her way to the corner. But I guess galivanting down her old trailer park is also a likely scenario.
“What’re you doing here?” I ask her. The last time I saw her was when I told her that I was pregnant. Her response was that I’m useless, a whore, and should abort the baby or else my life will be over.
She cocks her head at me. “Is it a crime to want to come say hello to my only daughter?”
“Well, not a crime, but definitely out of the ordinary, since you haven’t come to just say hello in the entire nineteen years I’ve been alive.”
“Do you always have to be so dramatic?” She hikes her cheap knock off purse higher on her shoulder as she scoffs at me.
“It’s not being dramatic when it’s the truth.”
She rolls her eyes. “Whatever, so where you headed off to?” She glances behind me, eyeing Jackson curiously. “Who is this?”
I step aside, revealing Jackson. He gives her a deadpan look, obviously not amused nor in the mood to deal with her bullshit.
“This is Jackson, Mom. You’ve met him before.”
Her eyes widen, shock flitting across her face with a little bit of disgust. “What happened to you? You break both your legs or somethin’?” She laughs like her joke is even remotely funny.
“No.” He says, leaving it at that.
“What’re you doing here, Mom? I know this isn’t just a friendly hello, and we really have to get going.”
She sighs, dropping her fake file and leveling me a look. “I just wanted to let you know I’m thinkin’ about comin’ home.”
I shake my head before she can even finish her sentence. “No. No, you can’t.”
She scowls at me. “Why not? I don’t think I have to listen to you on whether or not I want to come back to my own house or not.”
“Because, you essentially moved out when you left with Jed. You’re not coming back. I’m not going to deal with your bullshit any longer. As far as I’m concerned, the last time I saw you what our final goodbye.”
Her gazes off into the distance, trying to remember our last conversation. For all I know, she could’ve been drunk when we were talking. Or she could’ve gotten so trashed after our discussion that the whole day is a blackout.
Her eyes widen as the memory comes back. Glancing down at my stomach, she says, “You must have followed my suggestion then and had that problem taken care of.”
Anger fills me and my eyes grow blurry with annoyance. This woman is really something else. The worst mother and grandmother in the history of parental figures. The fact that she tells me my own child is a mistake is enough to show me the piece of shit she really is.
“Actually, I didn’t.” I grit through my teeth.
“Oh, really?" Her eyes go wide, "I thought something looked a little different about you now that you say that. You’ve put on a few pounds.” Her hands widen around my stomach, and my ears flame in embarrassment.
“I think that’s enough.” Jackson growls from beside me, grabbing onto my hand.
I remember why we’re outside in the first place. “I’m sorry, but you can’t come back. Now, we really have to get going. It was nice seeing you.” I turn to leave, but she’s not done ruining my day yet, apparently.
“Where is the little kid? It isn’t with you. Did you give it up for adoption?”
“No.” I seethe. My hands fist at my side. She’s really going to act like she cares? Like she really wants to know? She wants the attention on her right now, and she’ll do anything to get it.
“Well, can I see the little fella? Or is it a girl? What’s its name? You know, I’m kind of actually excited. I’m a grandma now!” Her excitement