The Summer of a Teenager

Chapter 14: Mom Moves Out

Once Alex got back from camp, a week after I came back, Mom was already finished packing her stuff. And I knew what time it was, The Sit-down Rule Chat. We'd already discussed that Mom and Dad were going to have different rules at each other's houses.

Alex and I sat down at the table, Mom and Dad came and sat down too. Oh geez, I thought nervously to myself.

"Okay, I'll start," Mom began, "there are no phones at my house."

"What?!" Alex yelled.

"You heard me. I think phones are a waste of time."

"Whatever, Mom." I said. She gave me a look and then I regretted saying 'whatever'.

"Dad?" Alex asked.

"I don't have any rules yet. I'll make 'em up as we go."

"Okay." I shrugged.

"I don't have any other rules yet." Mom said.

"Then we're done?" I asked.

"Guess so." Dad said.

We all sat up and went back into our room. Then, Mom called us down, I assumed she was leaving. It was only two o'clock, the day after my and Mom's fight.

Mom walked over to me, looking into my eyes. My heart dropped. Was she mad at me?

"Kate."

I didn't say anything. She looked at me; and then she hugged me.

"I'm so sorry. You're right. I don't understand. And I'm so sorry I didn't ask you how you felt about the divorce," she said.

I was in shock; Mom never admitted when she was wrong. Alex or I would always have to apologize. She never said sorry. Alex walked over to Mom, his look was identical to mine.

"Guys," she said as she took both of our hands. "I'm truly sorry. And you need to know, I still love you. And so does your dad."

Alex and I both nodded, still speechless.

"I love you too, Mom," Alex finally said.

"See you guys next week," she said, holding her purse.

"Wait, Mom," I said. I walked over to her, and hugged her gently. "I forgive you," I whispered in her ear. "And I'm so glad you picked the house we looked at. Even though I threw up all over the yard, haha." She laughed. and walked out of the house.

***

I was in my room after dinner and I was looking at Instagram. Olivia had just posted that she got home from camp. She took a selfie of herself, in her house, making a happy face. It looked like she had a filter on. What a fake, I said to myself.

My phone rang. At first I thought it was Mom. But it was Finn! I answered the phone.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hi Kate!" he said.

I smiled in response. "How are you?"

"Good. You?"

"Well, my mom just moved out of the house. Did I tell you my parents just went through a divorce?"

"No you didn't. I'm sorry to hear that." He said sincerely.

"Thanks," I said quietly.

"Um, I called you to ask a question," he said, but he sounded nervous.

"What's up?" I got excited. I thought he was going to ask if I wanted to go on another date.

"Well, I really like you. Do you like me?" he asked.

"Yeah, I do," I said, but tried to be flirtatious while saying it.

"Will you-Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked, with a nervous chuckle at the end.

I swallowed. I thought you were never going to like someone, Kate. You said love was stupid, said a voice in my head. I ignored that voice.

"Yes, Finn. I would love to be your girlfriend," I said calmly.

"Cool," he said.

"Talk to you later?" I asked.

"Sure. Bye!"

After I hung up, I squealed, and auto-called Olivia. But I hung up quickly, forgetting that we weren't "friends" anymore.

But she called back, not knowing that I had accidentally called her.

"Hello?" she said.

"I didn't mean to call you," I said quietly.

"Oh, okay," she sounded bummed.

"Hey Olivia," I said.

"Yeah?"

"I know this is really weird, but can you come over?" I asked.

"For what?"

"Just come over."

Ten minutes later, her pink bike was parked in our driveway.