TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

Chapter 4

The sun was setting when Joan decided to head home. Throughout the day, an idea had sprouted in her thoughts, and she needed to discuss it with her mother. Her mother was in the living room when she arrived home. She dropped her belongings at the entrance and joined her mother.

"How was your day, sweetheart?"

"I spent the day with Alex."

"I love that boy", her mother exclaimed. "He takes good care of you."

"Yes, that's true", Joan agreed thoughtfully.

"By the way, I really liked your friend Carmen. She's charming."

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about... We should help Carmen. She's only sixteen, and she's missing school because of her job. It's not fair."

"I need to think about it, dear."

"But mom... What if we helped those in need? You're always preaching kindness, but what do you do when it's time to act? Is it just a way to ease your conscience? She took a breath and continued. You and dad are always full of good intentions, but apparently, appearances are deceiving!"

"Watch your attitude, young lady! I won't tolerate any disrespect towards your father or myself!"

Joan stormed out of the room, angry, and stomped loudly up the stairs to her room, emphasizing each step. Her mother was fuming. She lifted her cup to her lips to take a sip of her tea and burnt her tongue. She cursed:

"Damn it."

Joan went up to her room, slammed the door behind her, shaking the walls, and threw herself onto her bed abruptly. Fuming under her blanket, there was a knock on her door.

"Can I come in?" her mother asked.

Joan nodded, and Shannon opened the door. She pulled the pink velvet upholstered armchair towards the dressing table and settled comfortably.

"I've been thinking about what you told me", her mother continued.

Joan emerged from her tangled hair and moved closer to the edge of the bed.

"Yes, about that... I'm sorry for yelling at you."

"It's okay, I understand how you feel. You're worried about her, but next time, try to keep your calm", Shannon explained.

"Sorry, Mom. I won't do it again."

Shannon approached the bed and sat down next to Joan. She wrapped her frail shoulders with her arm and proudly declared:

"I have a plan."

She laid out her plan in every detail, and Joan listened attentively, nodding at times. "What a wonderful idea!" she thought. Joan was excited, barely hiding her enthusiasm as she fidgeted in place. Shannon then asked:

"What do you think?"

"It sounds perfect to me. Thank you, Mom."

She looked at her mother with love, affectionately holding her hands in hers and exclaimed:

"I love you."

"I love you too, my dear."

Joan warmly embraced her mother, then leaned over to kiss her cheek. Her mother was just and empathetic, qualities that made Joan proud. She admired her mother's selflessness and generosity. Shannon had grown up in faith and strove to put her religious values into action whenever possible. Once her mother had left the room, Joan rushed to her phone to text Carmen. She arranged to meet her at the "Brew," the café on the corner between the florist and the park.