The Struggles of Growing Up-Completed

Chapter 9

"Hi, mom." I say through the phone while reading some project proposals. It's still early, the sun is just barely rising, but I couldn't sleep. Instead, I got up and made myself some tea.

"Hi sweetie, finally you answer my calls! How's it going over there?" I sigh, wow, a lot has happened since she left, heck, since I got back here.

"Well, it's rocky with Maia- er, Mave- but I think Its not that bad. I... I'm the CEO of Remlor now, if someone didn't already tell you." I murmur. I hear a faint gasp.

"Oh, Emma, really? Nobody told me." I blink. I wish I could see her reaction to see what she's feeling. It's hard to tell over the phone. I start to nod when I realize I'm talking on the phone with her, then mutter a "Yeah." Stupid, Emma.

"Oh, sweetie, oh I'm so proud of you. I- I was so wrong to think you needed to get married before. You've proven to mature into a young, confident career driven woman, and you have a serious boyfriend. I couldn't be happier than if you were married for real!" she sobs.

"Whoa whoa WHOA WHOA. That's not up for discussion. Not now, at least, I just started the job." I stammer. Me, married for real? Married to Zach? It's weird to think about. I mean, surely it's too soon, even if it's been five, four years. Oh no, I'm hyperventilating now. Oh geez.

"I know, I know. I'm just emotional. And proud." I purse my lips.

"Thanks. But, I have to go, I have some things I need to do before I actually go to work, so..." I trail off, anxious to end the call. It took a weird turn.

"Ok, that's fine. Bye honey."

"Bye." I end the call, then go to wake Mai... Mave. I have got to get that down, it shouldn't be so hard.

"Maia." I say while shaking her awake.

"It's Mave." She mumbles as she slaps me away. Shoot, I forgot again. How?!

"Ow!" I rub my hand. Geez, she's cranky. "Just get up Maia slash Mave, I have to drop you off at your art class camp thing before work." I mumble before I trudge out of the room.

"Just MAVE." I hear her grumble before I leave. I shake my head in annoyance.

It turns out that the art class is actually more of a day camp for 13-15 year olds. They spend the day in the woods, learning about nature and how it applies to art. How early artists were inspired by nature. It sounds cool, and thankfully I only have to drop her off at the main art institute. Then they drive her into the woods.

About half an hour later, Ma...ve emerges wearing her usual black clothing. None of this comes as a surprise anymore though. Well, the eyeliner still sort of scares me at times though. Doesn't it itch?

"I'm going to pick you up at three, ok? At this same spot. " I say as she starts to get out of the car. She closes the door and through the open window says, "Yeah. I got it, Mom." oh! I hate that.

She starts to walk towards the building but I don't leave until I see she's inside, for insurance purposes. A girl with similar black clothes and heavy makeup walks up to her. Who said opposites attract?

I can barely hear them as they walk farther away, but I faintly hear the girl say in astonishment, "that's your mom?"

Maia scoffs and says, "No, more like a temporary mom." Ugh! Now really annoyed, I drive away.

I park in my special spot, greet Margret at the entrance and head into the elevator to start another long day.

I hurry to another meeting with some other companies we're tied with on the oncology side, and meet with the head researchers again to discuss funding. I'm finally back in my office for lunch, and get a call from Zach. Oh geez, do I even want to take the call? Every Time we talk about personal deep things he shuts me out and leaves. Then next time we talk he just wants to dismiss it. I don't want to do that, I want us to get over this already. And I worry that we really are drifting apart.