Sleuth

Bother

"You really didn't need to fly up here, mom" Lauren Hale repeated for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"Of course I did! My baby got attacked by a wild animal! Don't you know that I just knew, deep in my heart, that something was wrong. I called you about three times before the hospital got a hold of me. I could feel your pain!" Mrs. Shue practically yelled. Lauren loved her mom but the eccentric Texan was almost more than she could bear. Catherine "Kitty" Shue was, for lack of a simpler definition, a more dramatic version of her daughter. Her accent was stronger, excitement more tumultuous, and her romantic life more... well it was just active in general. As indicated, Lauren was currently daughter to stepfather number four. Roger Shue, investment banker and wealthy man, who had placed her mother in a very nice house in Texas' capital city, Austin. Lauren thought he was nice, probably the best husband so far. Excluding her biological father, of course, whose name she still kept to this day.

"Mom, I don't think that's true. But I really hate to put you out" Lauren pouted. Her mother had come in a few hours after Kyrrian visited, and needless to say, it was a surprise.

"When did you start calling me 'mom'? I am your mama. And trust me, it's almost impossible to 'put out' Rog. But our 'president' sure is trying" her mother mumbled the last part, but Lauren shook her head, internally refusing to get into politics with her mom.

"You're right mama, I'm sorry. Thank you for coming" Lauren Hale had to admit it felt good to let her accent loose a little bit.

"Darn right I'm right. I wish you'd move back home. It's so much safer in Texas, well, from wild animals at least! And I'm sure the Rangers would still take you, they really expected you to take their offer-"

"Mama, I ain't... I'm not moving back to Texas" Lauren Hale reached up to pinch the bridge of her nose but flinched with the sudden movement.

"Oh, look at you! You can barely move. It's this place, the north ain't no good place for a sweet southern girl like yourself. What's so great about this place? It's not the weather, heaven forbid the sun come out once in a blue moon. It's not the job, because there's a better one back home. What else could possibly be holding you here? I can't even imagine-unless it's a man. Lauren Shirlene Hale, are you datin' a fine yankee boy?"

"Mama" Lauren Hale sighed with the disgust as she vehemently shook her head.

"What's he like? Probably one of those hippy-ster lookin' fellas. The men up here just ain't the same but a man is a man. I am so glad you're not single anymore! You have no idea how embarrassing it is explaining to people that your thirty year old daughter is single! And the people who know you say it's such a shame, but if you were back home-"

"Mama! I'm not seeing anyone" Lauren was so tired of having this conversation with her mother.

"Aw, really? Well..." after a long pause, her mother continued "I like you hair cut."

"Thanks. I wanted something different. When are you going back to the hotel?" Lauren was too desperate to be sensitive.

"Oh, I see, want your nosy, irritating mama to go a way. Well I'll head out now if that's what you really want?" her mother's feigned injury was fake and she knew it but that didn't mean that it didn't bother her on some level. Lauren sighed and called out to her mother before she went out the door.

"No, look. Stay, we can talk" Lauren Hale had waved the white flag.

"If you insist" her mother responded with a laugh.

"But there are rules! No nagging, critiquing, or belittling my career choice, living situation, or love life."

Mrs. Shue looked shocked, but added with a smile "I am your mother, what else are we supposed to talk about?"