Same Kinda Different

Chapter 1

*Months later*
I walk into mom's office and see she's not in here. Her secretary steps in and smiles at me and says, "Do you have a meeting with Ms. Anastasia?"
I grin and say, "Well no but I'm hoping she could see me for a few minutes."
Her secretary shakes her head and say, "No ma'am she can't. She is in meetings all day today."
I laugh and says, "Not even for her daughter?"
The secretary looks at me and says, "Her daughter lives in Texas and is happily married with a child."
I laugh and stand up and pick up the picture on mom's desk and show the secretary.
She puts her hand over her mouth and says, "OMG! I'm so sorry Ms. Brown. I'll inform your mother your here."

Mom walks in a few minutes later and looks at me and says, "Laken Abilene, what did you do to Marlee?"
I look at her funny.
Mom says, "My secretary. After she came and told me you were here she kept apologizing."
I laugh and say, "She asked if I had a meeting and I told her no so she told me I couldn't see you. I asked so she can't even take time to see her daughter. She then tried to tell me I'm out in Texas and I'm still married. Mom, you need to inform Marlee I'm not happily married."
Mom looks at me and says, "She forgets certain things like you live here in Nashville now and you are divorced."
I nod and say, "I can tell."
Mom says, "Where is Kaitlyn?"
I shake my head and say, "Mom, you know we call her by her middle name. She's only called Kaitlyn when she's in trouble. She's with dad though at the house. Dad decided I needed a break and to come find you and see if you want to go grab some lunch." 
Mom says, "How is the new house going? I keep saying I'm going to stop by I just haven't made it that way yet."
I smile at her and say, "Mom you've always been on the go. I'll probably live in this house for 5 years before you finally make it over there. It's going well. We've lived there for a few months but it's all still new to the both of us. I swear Remi finds a new toy everyday to drag out."
Mom smiles and says, "You were the same way when we moved in with your dad. I promise I'll make it over there sooner or later."
I look at mom and say, "I was like 5! Remi is only 3!"
Mom starts laughing and says, "Just wait until you meet someone, Lake. Then you'll have to repack everything."
I shake my head and say, "Oh hell no! He's going to have to move in with us."
Mom starts laughing and shaking her head.
I look at her and say, "Do you have time to go grab lunch with me?"
She smiles and says, "Even if I don't, I can always make time to go grab lunch with my only child. Marlee?"
Marlee sticks her head in the office and says, "Yes ma'am?"
Mom says, "I'm going to lunch with my daughter. If you need anything let me know. I should be back in time for my 1 o'clock meeting. If not tell Scott who I'm with and that I'll be back as soon as possible."

*At the restaurant*
I look around and say, "I haven't been here since the night Whitt proposed to me."
Mom's eyes gets big and she says, "Lake, I'm sorry. I forgot all about him proposing here."
I smile and say, "Mom, it's fine. We use to eat here all the time when I was in college. It's not a big deal."
Mom says, "Are you sure?"
I nod my head and start playing with my napkin.
Mom says, "Has Remi asked about him?"
I look at her and mumble, "Kinda. When we first moved here she did but she's slowly stopped. I hate that she doesn't but then again I don't. I mean I have full custody of her and he's allowed supervised visits but he won't take them, Mom. He wants nothing to do with her. He wanted nothing to do with her when we were married, though."
Mom shrugs her shoulder and says, "That's his own fault. She's a smart, funny, and a very playful little girl that he's missing out on. I went through the same thing with your real dad."
I say, "Did he ever come see me? Or even ask about me?"
Mom puts her hand on top of mine, "Baby, you have a father who loves you. When Tony came into our life I was grateful. He still to this day loves you as his own. He'd do anything in this world for you and for Remi."
I say, "I take that as a no. Mom, I know dad loves me. I'm glad he does. I put y'all through a lot growing up."
Mom says, "You have to learn from your mistakes. That's why we let you make them even if it's marrying a guy at 18, not finishing college so y'all can move to Texas, having a baby at 20, then getting a divorce at 21 with it being finalized at a little after your 22."
I say, "Thank y'all, for loving me through all of that and being there for the good and bad days. Having Remi wasn't a mistake though."
Mom smiles and says, "No, she's not a mistake. I didn't mean for it to come across that way. She's one of god's greatest gifts to us."
I nod and say, "That she is."
The food is brought to our table and we start to eat and chat a little bit. When we finish we go back to her work.

Marlee sticks her head in mom's office and says, "Ms. Anastasia, your 1 o'clock is here."
I look at mom and say, "Well I better get going then."
As I say this Scott Borchetta steps into mom's office.
Scott sees me and says, "Well if it isn't Laken Brown."
I look at Scott and smile and say, "Hello, Mr. Borchetta."
Scott looks at mom and says, "Always the proper one isn't she?"
Mom laughs and says, "Oh I wish. It's just when business people are around she does this."
Scott states, "I am glad your here, Laken. Your part of what I want to have a conversation with your mother about." 
Mom says, "Scott, take a seat. Lake, go ahead and take a seat too."
Scott says, "Anastasia, I called Laken a few months ago and never heard back from her. The reason I was calling was to see if she was writing again."
Mom looks at me and I roll my eyes. I then look at Scott and say, "I'm sorry but as of right now I'm not. I'm back in school and I have a child to think about now."
Scott looks and says, "Still in school to be a recording industry manager?"
I nod my head and say, "Yes sir."
Scott says, "Lets make a deal. How about you start writing songs again and I'll have you an internship ready for your senior year?"
Mom looks at him and says, "Scott, this needs to be in writing and give her some time to think on it."
Scott nods and says, "It'll be drawn up when she's ready for it."
I look at my watch and say, "I'll think on it, Mr. Borchetta, but I need to be leaving. Mom, I'll see you later."
I stand up and leave the room to head back home.