Because of You

Chapter 2

"Hi Wendy," my mom whispers into the phone. I haven't talked to her in forever. After I left the house to go to college I never came back. My parents didn't understand me and I was an only child. After they had me they probably decided they had made a mistake and didn't want anymore kids. They didn't want me to come back and they told me that. Why then was she calling me?

"Um... why are you calling me." That came out harsher than I meant it to. I hear her sigh on the other end of the phone.

"I want to know how you're doing Honey. Dad and I are worried about you." That did it. I was going to try and be polite during this phone call, but I couldn't. I had never spoken my mind to someone before, but maybe today was the day.

"Really? You didn't seem worried when you packed my bags and pushed me out the door, telling me to, 'have a nice time at college' and not to 'feel pressured to visit any time soon'. So, you know... I don't really feel obligated to talk to you right now, Mom." I spit the last word. I can't believe she had the nerve to call me and say she was worried about me when she had basically told me she didn't want to see me again.

"We didn't mean that. You can come back any time. We just miss our baby girl." It sounded like she was trying to bite back tears. I almost rethought what I had just said. Maybe it was too harsh. Maybe that's why they didn't want to see me again. Because I didn't know how to communicate properly. I'm messed up.

No. I won't let my anxiety get in the way. Not this time. "Whatever. You should have thought of that before you kicked me out." I hung up the phone and squeezed it in my hand, trying to breathe. It wasn't working very well. I closed my eyes and leaned back on my hands. I just needed to calm down. What I did was completely called for. My mom had it coming and I said what needed to be said; that was the end of it.

I slowed my breathing and my shoulders relaxed. Then my arms relaxed, and my hands, my legs, my stomach. I could finally breathe properly again. I still sat on the floor, thinking about what had just happened and soon enough I drifted to sleep...

I didn't dream. I didn't think. I just slept and after what seemed like minutes - but was really hours - I awoke to a quiet and short buzzing noise. I could feel it vibrating on my back. It must be my phone. But nothing ever happens in my life. No one calls me. No one texts me. Nothing happens. Slowly, I remember the phone call I had just a few hours ago and my stomach flips. Maybe something was happening.

I picked up my phone and looked at it. 7 voicemails from Mom. Maybe she really did want to talk to me. I put the phone to my ear to listen to the voicemails.

"Hey Wendy. I'm sorry. I just– please talk to me. We need to talk." My mom's voice.

Next one. "Wendy I'm really sorry for everything. Dad and I really miss you."

"Wendy Dear–"

"Honey please–"

"Just pick up Wen–"

I had stopped listening to the whole messages. They were all the same.

"I'm not quitting–"

"Pick up your pho–"

That's it. All seven. I shakily out my phone down. I wasn't ready to talk to them yet. I needed time to regroup and keep my head on straight. I needed time to plan. Unfortunately, I realized looking down at my watch, I didn't have that time at the moment. I was supposed to be at the studio in 2 minutes for a solo practice. Crap. I jumped off the floor and grabbed my dance bag, sprinting out the door... and all thoughts of my parents left my mind. It was dance now.