Searching for Mr. Darcy

Scene Ninety

"You just left Mom!" Anabeth called that afternoon.

"She told me to.  We had one of the biggest fights we've ever had," Maisie said.

"You still shouldn't have left.  I'm on shift all day.  I can't be there, so you need to go back."

"She needs to learn to do things on her own.  She's capable, you saw that.  She just doesn't want to if we're going to do everything for her."

"Don't be so petty and selfish, Maze."

Maisie couldn't help herself, "I learned from the best."

"Yes, our mother can be both of those things, but we've known that pretty much our entire lives.  Someone has to be the adult in the room."

"It's her turn."

"Ugh. I give up," Anabeth said.

"Don't think I'm completely cruel.  I called a nursing agency.  They are going to send someone over a few times a day when one of us - AKA you, because I'm done - can't be there.  I'll email you their information and you can get them your schedule."

"Maisie, I have two small children.  I can't be there on my day off every time."

"I get that, but I'm starting a new job in a different state in less than a week and I have to prepare.  Just because I don't have kids doesn't mean I don't have obligations on my time."

"I never said it didn't."

"No, you and mom and society only imply it."  Maisie started feeling a headache coming on.  "Look, I don't want to argue with you.  I'm sorry - I know that you don't think that and I'm sorry about Mom, but I've done what I can.  I gotta go.  Talk to you later."  She hung up and closed her eyes.  She really did feel bad about leaving her mother's house that morning.  She could have gone to a different room, waited for her mother to calm down, been there if she needed anything.  But Momma Frampton was never going to change. She didn't view her daughters as people in their own rights - they were like accessories to her - she'd show them off when she had a chance, but otherwise they were useless to her.