Somewhere Only We Know

XLV - Little dreams

1:16 p.m., Lindey's

"You're one to judge, with your little culinary dreams," Mica argued back at Diane.

The moment we went into Jesse's car, they were already arguing. Well, who can blame Mica? Diane has had a lot to say over the past few hours, and not once has she made a decent point.

As the two continued bickering, Mom, Jeorg, and Leonardo walked into the restaurant. Mom already had her eyes on me, and the look on her face made me shiver. She was never one to back down, so I knew this would be a difficult conversation. But one I could not avoid.

"Hi, kids," she said as she sat down at the other end of the table with Jeorg and Leonardo. "I hope you don't mind Jeorg and Leo being here."

I watched as Jesse reached for a handshake with Jeorg. Maybe I did mind. I may have accepted Jeorg as my mother's husband, but being here to listen to a very important conversation really irked me. Leonardo, I don't mind.

"Have you kids ordered? I've heard they serve Greek cuisine here. Isn't that great, Leonardo?" Jeorg said, holding a menu.

I smiled, "Yes, they do. It's great; you should try the Gemista."

Jeorg looked up from the menu, his eyes twinkling for some reason as he smiled back at me. "I must say, New York is a beautiful place—"

"What could I have possibly done for you to do this to me, Maxine?" Mom snapped, cutting Jeorg off. "Am I a terrible mother? Are you doing this to spite me?"

I blinked, almost zoning out from the conversation. I felt my body temperature rise as she continued berating me. I felt like a child, and I hated it.

"You can't just say you'll get a job. Do you truly think there are real jobs out there that would accept you?"

Diane reached her hand out to Mom's, asking her to calm down.

"Look at your sister," she said, pointing her hand at Mica. "She did not go to college, and look at her! Covered in tattoos and unemployed! Do you really want that life for yourself?"

I turned to Micaela, who was staring at a table plant. I've seen this before, our mother scolding her for her life choices, and her accepting all the harsh words. I hated it. I was always the most vocal one when things like this went down.

"Look at your brother," she turned her gaze to Jesse. "His success simply came from luck. No one gets anywhere after rebelling."

I scoffed loudly, "You rebelled. What the fuck are you talking about? You were to be in an arranged marriage, and you ran away to Britain and met Ronald."

Her nostrils flared as she tilted her head. "This is not about me! This is about you and the bullshit I have to put up with. You're just a child! You're my child, and I am telling you, my answer is no! You will go to college, and you will listen to your mother."

I slammed my hand on the table, raising myself as the utensils and glass shook loudly, "You do not tell me what to do. How can you call yourself my mother? You're only ever nice to me when I achieve something you can boast about. You're never around! Just a month ago, you ran off to Greece and got married! What kind of mother lies about that?"

She laughed loudly, enlarging the scene we were causing, "I am a person too, Maxine. A grown woman at that! You are just a child! You will ruin your life if I don't put a stop to you."

Diane glanced around the restaurant, and other customers whispered as they looked at us, "Please, keep your voices down."

Jeorg held my mother's hand, giving her a look that could only be perceived as 'shut the fuck up before people start pulling out their cameras,' "Let's have a civilized conversation, please. Liane, give your daughter a chance. She's a person too, who can make her own decisions."