Serendipity

Chapter 11

I took a cab home.

I walk up to the apartment and check for the spare key.

It's here.

It's six at night now.

The apartment is open, so I let myself in.

The shock in my system is insane as I find, not only Shaun, but my Mom here, and my Dad, too.

They're both dressed reasonably well, telling me they came right from work to here.

"Mom." I say, my voice numb.

She studies my face for a while, and then she sighs.

"Carmen, we need to talk."

I was expecting myself to be calm, or to just sit down and let her yell at me.

I was expecting to act like a lady, or to not give a shit.

But no.

I start sobbing.

The alarm on her face is insane.

Dad looks shocked.

Shaun looks shocked.

Delaney looks shocked.

Ari looks shocked.

I bury my head in my hands.

"Carmen?" she asks, worried.

I turn around and rush out the front door.

Tyler is there, his hand raised to knock, and I see pure alarm on his face when I go shoving past him.

"Carmen!" Mom calls after me.

I hear her high heels clicking behind me, but I keep on running.

I rush out of the apartments, further onto campus.

I see people staring.

Finally, she catches my arm.

"You didn't even invite me to your birthday party!" I shout at her, whipping around.

I see Dad and Shaun, and Delaney with them, and next to her is Ari, and Ari's boyfriend, Zac.

"I didn't think you'd want to come." She whispers. "I'm sorry. I know, I should've been there for you, but you made it clear you didn't' want me there. I messed up, Car. I'll do anything to fix it. If you want, I'll pull your inheritance and all your stock funds, and you can get a job as a bookstore, or anywhere you want."

I realize then, that Tyler is right.

I look over my shoulder at him. He's watching me carefully.

He was right.

I'm a Schuler.

I want the money.

I have a great family. I have Delaney and Ari.

I have real friends.

My fake radar can be on, but this is me.

I look down at my expensive heeled boots, my denim jacket, and my curled hair.

I'm me.

"No." I shake my head, looking up from the ground. "No, this is me." I say. "I need to accept that not everyone that's going to come into my life is going to be genuine."

Mom smiles.

"Do you want me to get you a counselor, sweetheart? To help you with your marijuana addiction?"

"No, no, I'm not addicted." I say. "Really, I'm okay. Mom, please, please don't' shut me out."

"I never should have. I was wrong and I'm sorry. I love you."

"I love you too."

"How about you come and stay with me until the end of the semester? I'll pay somebody to go to your classes and stay there and get your work, and you can take your finals at the house."

Maybe going home is right for me.

I nod slowly.

"Okay."

<><>

So I packed my things, said goodbye to Del and Ari, and I left, letting Mom drive my car.

Mom is the owner of Warner Bros Studios, so she owns, not only a movie studio, but she owns a recording studio. She's partnered with multiple things. Dad owns Costco.

Luckily, because of Mom's profession, I get movies for free at home and anywhere else, so, I find myself sitting in the movie theatre room in a massage chair with the heat on, wearing fuzzy socks, sweatpants, and a white oversized sweater.

I'm clutching hot chocolate, a fuzzy blanket covering me.

I need to learn to embrace my life.