My Aussie Guy - Liz Lovelock Page 0,28
help you. Is there anything you don’t specifically understand about the assignment, or are you simply after a second set of eyes on your assignment when it’s finished?
Have a good day.
Elsie
I close down my email and grab the last of my books for class. I have to work tonight for Addison because she has a date with Parker. My phone rings, and for a moment, I stare at the name—Mom. I’m sure she’s going to ruin my mood, but I slide my finger to answer anyway.
“Hey, Mom.” I try to sound happy to hear from her, but it’s hard.
“Hey, Elsie. How are you? I haven’t heard from you in a little while, so I was checking in to see how things are going?” I hear something banging around in the background on her end.
“Nothing new to report here, Mom. I’ve been busy with classes and tutoring. You know me, nose in my books.” I pick up a pen and start scribbling on a notebook, but it’s simply doodles.
“I heard a rumor you are hanging around with an Australian boy. Is this true?” Damn Mom and her friends. I wonder who saw me this time.
“He’s a friend, Mom.” I sigh. Dropping my pen, I lift my hand to rub my forehead, trying to relieve some tension.
“He’s a distraction.” Her words sting.
I snap, “Why are you so against me having a life? Am I not allowed to have friends? To go experience the world?” My voice rises with each word. I pick the pen up again and toss it hard against the wall. It smashes and tinkles to the floor.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I love you, Mom, and I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but… I’m old enough to make my own decisions when it comes to what I want to study. I’m a good student and pass all my classes. I help other students pass their classes as a tutor. Can’t you be happy for me? Show some support instead of making me feel guilty over every little thing I do.” My lip comes between my teeth and I bite, stopping myself from continuing and sounding like an ungrateful daughter.
There’s silence on the end of the phone.
After a second, I hear a sniffle.
“Mom, are you okay? I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“No, no, you’re right. I simply want you to be the best you can be. Which is why I push like I d-do.” Her voice cracks, and I already know there are tears falling down her face.
“I know, Mom, but you make me feel like everything I’m doing is wrong. You’ve done it for years. I don’t say this to hurt you. I’ve not said anything to you before because you’re my mom, and I hate hurting your feelings.” Guilt builds in my chest. I feel like such a terrible daughter talking to her this way. I’m not even sure what’s gotten into me. Perhaps spending time with Aiden has given me some bravado to stand up for the things I’d like to do in my life. He’s doing things for his best friend, living the life they wanted to live together. I want a life like that.
“Thank you for telling me, Elsie. I’m sorry for being one of those parents who cares too much.” And there it is! I’m not even sure she realizes she’s doing it now.
“Mom, you’re doing it again,” I respond dryly.
I hear a shuffle on the end of the line. “Sorry, honey. I promise it’s something I’ll work on. You’re a great daughter. You’re so smart. I know you’ll make the right decisions for you, and I’ll be here to offer you the support and advice you need when you want it.”
Wow! Why didn’t I have this conversation with her when I first started college?
“Thank you, Mom. I love you, and you have no idea how much I appreciate all you’ve done and still do for me.” A lump catches in my throat.
“I love you, too, Elsie. I’ll let you get back to whatever it is you were doing.”
“I wasn’t doing much, just about to head out the door.”
“I’ll talk to you later, darling.”
“Sure thing, Mom.” I hang up and drop the phone on my desk then suck in a big breath and release it.
Did that conversation really happen?
There’s a noise outside my room, followed by my door swinging open—it’s Addison.
“Hey, where’s the fire?”
Addison’s face is flushed, and she’s out of breath. “Sorry, just been running with Parker, and I think I’m going