The Senior

Chapter Five - The Jungle Line

Emily's POV

The day of my dinner with Zig's family arrived, and I stopped at Uskea after class to pick up a gift. I wandered the aisles, looking for anything that caught my eye. After a little while, I heard Becca's voice in the distance. "Mom, we've talked about this," Becca said.

I turned the corner and saw a striking blonde woman talking to Becca, frustration creasing her features. "All I'm saying is, I don't understand why you're still here. You've gotten into law school. You don't need this commonplace job anymore," Becca's mom said.

"Excuse you, Mom. I happen to be respected here. I'm in a position of power. What about that bothers you?"

"What? It's not like that at all."

"I just... it means a lot to me that I've had success here. I earned this. It's the first thing I've earned for myself in my life."

"Oh, honey, that's not true. You earned the presidency of the Kappas. You were class treasurer in high school, you -"

"Mom, as much as I love when you talk me up, I'm not into rehashing every petty success I've ever had. I just want you to care about the stuff that's meaningful to me now."

"And I do. My eldest daughter is succeeding on her own terms, and that's huge. Just imagine, once you pass the bar, you'll be making money hand over fist. You'll be even richer than your dad ever was. And that will be your accomplishment. Yours and yours alone."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Oh, come on, sweetheart. Why that petulant tone?"

"It's just, being a lawyer is more than a means to an end for me, Mom... it's not like I'm -" At that moment, Becca noticed me trying to sneak back around the corner to the adjacent aisle. "Emily! Hi!"

I tried to compose my face into a smile. "Oh! I hope I wasn't interrupting," I said.

"Oh... um, no. Everything's fine!"

"Er, yes. Nothing to interrupt here! We're just catching up," Becca's mom said. "So you're Emily. I've heard so much about you. I'm Rebecca's mother, Shannon."

"I've looked forward to meeting you for a long time, Ms. Davenport," I said. I shook Shannon's hand as she raised her eyebrow at me. "Uh, Shannon, that is."

"Much better. It makes me feel younger. And free of that godawful man-child of an ex-husband of mine."

"I was actually here looking for a parent gift. I'm having dinner with my boyfriend's family tonight!"

"Oh, good call. Becca, you should take notes. That's what a real partner does. How many of the people you've dated have brought me gifts?"

"Mom! Oh my God!" Becca exclaimed.

"I'm just saying, your friend here seems to understand the value of winning the parents' approval." A small grin crept across Shannon's face. "From what Rebecca's said of you, you've been more than thoughtful towards her as well. I'm glad you're looking out for my princess."

"I'm happy to do so," I said.

"Just don't hurt her. Or I'll destroy you."

"Uh..."

"I'm just kidding, sweetheart. Now I really must go pick up Alexis from her shift at McDermots. Charmed to meet you, Emily."

As Becca's mom sashayed out of Uskea, Becca and I looked at each other with wide eyes. Becca released a pent-up breath. "... Wow."