Ink and Heartstrings

33. Turbulent horizon

As the day wore on, the tension in the house grew. Richard, though quieter in his disapproval, was equally uneasy about Maria's decision. He spent most of the morning in the garage, avoiding direct conversation. Meanwhile, Elena hovered near Maria, finding subtle ways to express her discontent.

When Maria tried to step out to pick up a few essentials for her trip, Elena blocked her path.

Elena: "Where are you going?"

Maria: "Just to the store. I need a few things for the trip."

Elena: (crossing her arms) "You don't need anything. Stay here. You've already decided to leave us; the least you can do is spend your time at home."

Maria felt her frustration bubbling over but tried to keep her tone calm.

Maria: "Mom, I'm not leaving forever. It's just a trip for my favorite job. Please don't make this harder than it already is."

Elena's eyes brimmed with tears, and Maria felt her resolve waver.

Elena: "It's already hard. Do you think I can just watch you pack your bags and pretend I'm fine? I'm not fine, Maria. I don't know how to be fine with this."

Maria: (sighing, her voice breaking) "I know, Mom. But I can't give up on this because it's hard for both of us. I need you to trust that I'm doing what's right for me."

Maria stood rooted in the hallway, her mother's words weighing on her like an anchor. Elena's gaze, brimming with a mixture of sadness and frustration, felt unrelenting.

Maria: (trying to soften her voice) "Mom, I know this is hard. It's hard for me too. But you've always taught me to follow my dreams, even if it means stepping out of my comfort zone."

Elena: (her voice trembling) "I taught you to dream, yes. But I didn't teach you to leave behind the people who love you. This is your home, Maria. How do you expect us to manage without you?"

The sharpness in her mother's voice cut through Maria's defenses. She felt her own frustration boiling beneath the surface, but she fought to keep her tone measured.

Maria: (pleading) "I'm not abandoning you! I'll visit, I'll call-this isn't goodbye forever."

Elena: (shaking her head) "It might as well be. Do you think you'll have time to visit when you're building your new life? And what about us? Do we just wait around, hoping for scraps of your time?"

Maria took a deep breath, the tension in her chest tightening like a vice. She glanced down at her hands, which were clenched at her sides, and forced herself to relax them.

Maria: (firmly) "You're being unfair. I've always been here. I've supported you, helped when I could, and stayed longer than I planned because I love you both. But now I need to do something for myself. Can't you see that?"

Elena: (her voice rising) "And what about what we need? What your father and I want? Doesn't that matter?"

Maria: (exasperated) "Of course, it matters! But my entire life can't revolve around what makes you comfortable. I need to grow, Mom. I need to see what's out there for me."