It's Sunday, so I have the day off before working tonight. Though my original choice was to spend it alone at the library, my mother had other plans. "Let's grab lunch, sweetie. I feel like I never get to see you," she said, as if she didn't live an hour away and own a car that could drive her happy ass here any time she goddamn wanted. Shit.

I'm not her biggest fan, obviously, but it was for good reason.

My mother and father were teenagers when they met, and very soon after that, they made me. They got married three months before I was born, and to no one's surprise, it didn't last. My parents divorced when I was nine, and my mom immediately went off and married a rich oil-tycoon. She thought he would make her rich when he passed away, but she could only manage to keep from driving him insane for five years before they divorced. But in the meantime, she moved with him to Ohio to start a new life, conveniently forgetting that I, a young girl, might actually need her mother. She abandoned me. Simple as that.

For years, I only heard from her on birthdays and Christmas. Honestly, it was fine. My dad was my favorite person, and he was always there for me. But when I didn't have him anymore, I had no other option but her. We've been trying to repair our relationship ever since then.

I make it to the restaurant a little early and pick a table on the patio. The early November air was unseasonably warm, and I felt like taking advantage. I get comfortable and order myself a glass of white wine to prepare for the chaotic conversation that was guaranteed to ensue.

I hate sitting alone with nothing to do, so I text the only person guaranteed to respond.

Me: What's up sex machine?

Mickey: Not much, gorgeous.

Just chillin' on the beach.

What are you doing?

Me: I should be lunching with

mommy dearest but she's late

Mickey: Late? You must be pissed.

Oh, he knows me so well.

Me: You have no idea...

She practically forced me to

come then she doesn't even

bother to fucking show 

up on time! Ugh!

Mickey: haha!

Me: I'd rather be sunbathing

Mom shows up half an hour late and rushes over. "Hi, baby girl!"

"Hi, mom!" I feign excitement as I pull her into a hug. She is the only person with which I actively suppress my personality. I had already given her enough reasons to hate me, calling her a tardy bitch to her face just wasn't in my best interests. I wanted to have a relationship with her again. I wasn't convinced that would actually happen, but I was still making an effort. "You look very pretty," I compliment her, just like she expects.

She honestly does look pretty, as always. Her long, platinum blond hair is perfectly styled into beachy waves. Her make up done to a professional level, accentuating her pale blue eyes and flawless, spray-tanned skin. Most people usually think we're sisters or friends rather than mother and daughter. It's frustrating, but only because it accentuates that she's never been my mother by any stretch of the word.

"You too, sweetie. Though I really wish you would do your hair every once in a while," she says, tugging at my loose bun. I get my bluntness from her. We sit. "Sorry I'm late. You know how busy wedding planning is!"

This was mom's fourth marriage. I had never met this fiancé because I didn't care to. All I know is that he is only 8 years older than me and that they would be divorced sooner rather than later. "I don't think I do."

"Well, when you get married, you'll understand!" That was never going to happen. Never. "How is school going? Are you keeping your grades up?"

"Yes, of course."

"Good girl! When is graduation again?"

"May."

"Perfect. I forgot if it was December or May." She thought it was next month and didn't think to clarify before now? I let an awkward silence fall between us rather than letting myself speak. "Oh! And how is your new apartment?"

"What new apartment? I've been in the same place for two years."

"Right. I meant do you like your place?" she tries to cover.

It was a shit hole near campus. Of course I didn't like it. Mom only ever asked questions that would lead into something she wanted to talk about. "Yes, it's fine."

"Thom and I move into the new house next week." His name is Thom? Good to know. "You should come see it when you get a break from school. It has four bedrooms!"

"Oh, great!" I look at my phone and see a message from Mickey. I smile as I unlock it, seeing the ironic selfie he took on the beach. He is still growing his hair out and he is letting himself keep a bit of a beard. It looks good on him. Really good. He always looks sexy as hell.

Man, I'm horny.

Me: Cuuuuuuute

Mickey: You jelly?

Me: Well I'm shaking too

much to be jam

Mickey: Hahahahahaha!

"Who are you texting?" my mom asks, bringing my attention back to her.

"A friend."

"Is it a boy?"

I force myself not to roll my eyes. "No." Mickey is 100% man. My phone chimes again. I know better than to pick it up while mom is accusing me, so I read the message preview on the screen.

Mickey: Hey, so...

That is how Mickey prefaces a paragraph of text. I feel a little nervous, wondering what he might be saying, but I know it will have to wait.

"Penny, sweetie." I look up at her. She brushes her hair behind both ears the way she does when she is going to lecture me. Holy fucking shit, here we go, I think. "I know we've talked about your life plan, how you'll turn things around for yourself, and I have been so proud of how far you've come, but..." There is always a "but". "I know that college has a way of...encouraging promiscuity."

"Mom, I really would rather not--"

"We are all human. Sometimes we have certain...desires. Sexual desires."

"Mom!" I try to stop her.

"I know that you know abstinence is the only true way to protect yourself, but sex can be a very pleasurable release. It's normal to -- to crave it on occasion, and you shouldn't be embarrassed by it. Thom makes me want sex all the time!"

"Oh my god," I groan, dropping my head into my hands.

"If you do choose to have sex with someone, you know how to protect yourself right?"

With a gun and a prayer, I resist the urge to say. "Yes, mom."

"You're an adult now, sweetie. You can do what you want, but please be careful."

"I know, mom. I will," I sigh. "So, what were you saying about the catering for the reception?" I ask her to send her off on another tangent.

"Do not get me started on that ridiculous caterer. The prices these places are trying to charge are pure theft! We know there has to be an open bar but ..." I stop listening when I'm confident my ploy has worked. I down my glass of wine and immediately order another.

♡♡♡

When I am finally able to leave my mother's presence, I check my phone.

Mickey: Shit is going down

with the toy manufacturers.

They found out the Cali factory

charges three times as much

so now they're trying to fuck

me over for an increase in

payment two months before

we're supposed to hit the

shelves. Long story short,

I'm flying to Ohio this

weekend.

My heart nearly jumps out of my chest with excitement. I feel awful for not being able to respond in over half an hour, so I call him. He picks up on the third ring.

"Hey."

"Hey! I'm so sorry I didn't text you back. My mom was giving me a lecture on abstinence."

"Oh, wow," he laughs. "Well, in that case, I forgive you."

"So ... you're coming to town?"

"Yeah, I have to go yell at the manufacturers until they decide to do what we paid them for."

"You're going to be mean to someone? Is that even possible?"

He chuckles. "Probably not, but I have to try. Looks like I'll be in Ohio for all of 18 hours."

My heart flutters nervously and my skin aches. I want to see him. I want to feel him. "Can you spend at least three of those hours in me?"

I can hear his smile. "Only three?"

_____

A/N: Don't forget to vote, comment, and add to your library if you want more!