When Jason Blossom is presumed dead, Riverdale shifts on its axis. Letting in the horror, and darkness that had been held at bay.
Archie, Veronica, Clary, Jughead, and Betty grapple with desires, love, drama, and murderers all while coping with the...
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Clarissa Cooper
AFTER PUTTING THE DECORATIONS FOR POLLY'S SHOWER IN MY CAR
I returned inside to find Betty making a final attempt to persuade Mom to attend, despite her earlier assurances to Mrs. Lodge.
Mom moved about the kitchen, tidying up and giving terse replies to Betty's attempts at conversation. Her responses were curt, ignoring or dismissing Betty with only two-syllable words.
Betty sighed in frustration, casting a glance at me as she grabbed the last box and stormed out of the house. Her determination to include Mom in the event was palpable, but Mom's aloofness seemed equally resolute.
"I can't believe you're doing the same thing to her that you always did to me," I sighed heavily, feeling the weight of frustration. "Trying to control her, and when that doesn't work, you just shut her out."
"I'm too tired for your accusations right now. Can we do this tomorrow?" Mom said, grabbing the plates from the table, and I followed her.
"Mom, this is not funny. Betty is crushed, and I have to deal with it! I've always been the one to deal with it. So can you grow up and be the mom for once?" I pleaded, my voice rising.
"What do you want me to say? Everything's fine, it's forgotten. There, I'll see you tomorrow. Have fun at the party," Mom replied dismissively, pushing my patience.
"So I guess the whole 'I'm gonna be more open-minded' thing was just a fluke, huh?" I asked, my disappointment evident. "Trying to butter us up, easing up on the rules, smudging that bottom line of yours—it was just some weird phase. What, you were on cold medicine two days ago or something?"
"So I'm a villain now, is that it?" Mom shot back defensively. "I spent 17 years raising Polly to be an example, making sure that every little detail of her was perfect, and I did it all for her. And I do it for you guys too. For all of you to throw it away for the first boy who bats their eyelashes at you."
"That's not what she needed, Mom! Neither of them! What Betty needs is for you to accept her apology and come to her party! That's what she needs, but you don't care what she needs," I argued, my voice trembling with emotion.
"How dare you!" Mom's voice rose sharply.
"You don't know what she needs because you've never tried to know her," I retorted, my frustration boiling over. "Just like you never knew me!"
"Oh, I know you!" Mom countered, her eyes flashing with anger.
"You don't know anything about me," I snapped, shaking my head in disbelief.
"Oh, you'd like to think that, wouldn't you? That you're just some huge mystery to me?" Mom asked, her tone cutting.
"Then what am I?" I slammed down my hand on the counter, unable to contain my emotions.
