After losing her job and her girlfriend, it's time for Annie Abraham to admit defeat and move back in with her parents. She has hardly been back to her tiny Montana hometown since the unforgettable summer before her senior year of college, when she...
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On Tuesday morning, after I've completed three shifts in a row without any more workplace sex – although there have been several fights over the thermostat with Ruth – I'm having breakfast with my parents. Mom has now finished work until after the new year, to make the most of Dad being around, and I'm making the most of not being on my feet after three intense days. It's been a while since I spent so much time standing – actually, I don't think I ever have – and right now, I'm glued to my seat at the kitchen table, inhaling coffee to revive me enough to enjoy my day off.
The first half of it, at least, before I go get Otto and Hannah from school. It's kind of fun, playing mom.
"Did I mention," Mom says out of nowhere, interrupting herself with a sip of orange juice, "that Theo's coming up on Saturday?"
"No! Really?"
"Yup! He didn't want to miss out on family dinner, what with you and Nathan being here. He's just coming up for the night, but he'll be back after Christmas with Becca and Toby."
"Nice. So we'll get the whole family together for at least an evening," I say. It's been way too long since that happened. Theo's not so bad, only a couple hours away, but did Nathan really have to move all the way to Manhattan? "That'll be cool. We never see each other."
"You know, between your new job and your new girlfriend," Mom says, "we hardly see you anymore." She adds a thick layer of jam to a piece of toast and tops up her glass of orange juice. I cradle my mug of coffee to my chest.
"To be fair, you've hardly seen me for the last eleven years," I point out.
"The girl's got a point," Dad says.
"Yes, but now you're here. You're so busy. I wasn't expecting you to be so busy."
I glance at her, trying to read her tone. "Is it okay? I mean, do you mind that I'm living here?"
"Honey, of course not!" Mom cries out. "I love that you're back with us, however long it lasts, and I love seeing you so busy and happy. I just wasn't expecting it, but I'm very happy for you."
"I'm proud of you," Dad says. "It's not easy, losing a job or a relationship, and you've been through both this year and come out smiling."
"What can I say? I'm a ray of sunshine." I flick my hair over my shoulder and bat my lashes.
"Are you here tonight?" Mom asks as I bite into my toast, getting crumbs everywhere because it was too cold when I buttered it.
"No, I'm at Laurel's tonight." I hold my hand over my mouth as I chew. "It's her chaos day, 'cause the kids have extracurriculars and she has Ava so I'm gonna get Otto and Hannah for her. You know, take the pressure off a bit," I say. I love the thought that I can help in any way. "Then I'm staying the night and we'll go into work together."
Dad adds a sprinkle more sugar to his coffee when Mom's not looking and says, "I hope you're being careful, honey."
"Oh, don't worry, Laurel gave me a lesson in sex ed. Turns out she can't get me pregnant after all so no need to worry, we're all clear on that front," I say.
