The Struggles of Growing Up-Completed

Chapter 5

They say your body starts to raise your body temperature and heart beat in the morning to get you to wake up. Can't my body just take the day off? I don't want to wake up yet, because that would mean starting another day. Geez, my summer is supposed to be fun, carefree. But, my best friend has a family to take care of, my roommate is in Tennessee, Zach has work, Maia will be staying here...

Shoving the thought away, I sit up a little. I can't believe I fell asleep last night. It was only six when I went into my room after talking-arguing- fighting with my mom. I slump back into my pillow. I don't want to start another day, although I think I've endured it all yesterday, what more can you throw at me!

I check my phone. Geez! 10 missed calls from Zach, three texts from Lor, and one missed call from Will. I set my phone down.

"Emma! Get up, Your Aunt Marie wants to come over to help me with some paperwork and for you to watch Maia today!" She yells. How is it that the minute I get up, she's making me mad! I can't watch her today, I have too much to figure out! I thought that job started Friday! I still have two more days of freedom, sort of. I contemplate my options: I can pretend I didn't hear that and go back to sleep, argue with her, or sneak out. But where would I go? Zach is at work, and I'm not really ready to tell him everything. Besides, I left my keys on the coffee table. Stupid.

Annoyed, I get into the shower. I can almost see her triumphant smile. I roll my eyes. What's the point of having an office if you're going to work from home! I throw on a tank top, dark jeans and dark brown wedges.

When I step into the living room, she's reading the newspaper at the kitchen table and sipping what looks like coffee.

"I thought you were going to be working?" I mutter, standing in the doorway.

"I need to wait until Marie brings the manuscripts." she eyes me, no doubt surprised by my challenging lately. No mom, I'm just not the same girl from four years ago.

"I can't watch Maia mom. She's 13, can't she just hang out here?" I plead. Gah, I feel like a child asking if she can sleep over at her friend's house. It really is stupid though, she's not five! Can't Maia just watch TV or something...?

"Emma, you need to drop whatever it is you are not telling me and just do this. You said you would watch her-"

"Yeah, starting Friday. When you two leave to go to New York and have the time of your lives." I mutter. Ok, maybe that last part was unnecessary...

"Please, Emma, it's for work. Now calm down, they'll be here any minute". I scoff.

"Calm down? That's your solution? I won't open up to you so you give up and shrug it off?" She stands up abrubtly. For a second, I wish I hadn't escalated things because I still worry she could have another heart attack, but the anger inside me seems to conquer. Why can't I just keep my mouth shut! It's like my hormones are all out of whack.

"What do you want me to do!" She booms. I guess hers are too. I walk up to her, so I'm right in front of her. Is she finally asking me what she needs to do to become a better mom? So. Be. It.

"Not give up. Put yourself in my shoes for a change." Her anger seems to recede, but mine sure doesn't. I shake my head to emphasize my point, and walk into the kitchen for a glass of water. I feel her eyes on me, but after a while she just gathers her newspaper, phone, and coffee and retreats into her office. Taking this opportunity, I grab my keys and head out.

Don't get me wrong, I don't intend to pick fights with my mom she just doesn't... get it. Not like my dad did.

It's 9'o' clock, so I figure Zach will be at work. Just to be sure, I give him a call while I'm outside a Starbucks.