The Peach Pits

Chapter 21

Had Mae known telling her mother the truth was what it would take to improve their relationship, she would have tried to tell her a long time ago. Even though her mother was tiptoeing around her, she was being much nicer, and actually tried to talk to her. Trina hung off in the fringes, and only ever talked to either of them when she needed something. They didn't walk to school together anymore. Ben picked her up and dropped her off. She started taking the bus to the hospital instead of asking to be driven. A few times, Mae had contemplated apologizing to Trina. But if anyone should have apologized, it was Trina.

Now that spring was among them, business at the diner was picking up, if only a tiny bit. It also seemed like the amount of customers whose sole life purpose was to piss her off were beginning to dwindle. She definitely wasn't bringing home as much money as she had when she was committing crimes with Jesse, but it wasn't too terrible either. Surprisingly, Mae wasn't dreading her evening shift for once. She glanced at the clock in the back of the kitchen. She had about a half hour before she had to get to work, which gave her just enough time to finish up her English homework.

When Jesse walked in, Mae's sense of calm drained from her body. It had been nearly two weeks since she'd seen him last. She focused on her homework and tried to ignore him.

"Got a minute?" he asked as he got closer to her.

"No."

Jesse sighed. "Come on, now. You don't work until five."

"Clearly, I'm busy." She looked up at Jesse with narrowed eyes. He was probably going to bug her until he gave in. "You got five minutes."

Mae bookmarked her textbook and followed Jesse out back. They stood in the parking lot. Mae crossed her arms and pressed her back against the building, waiting for Jesse to speak.

"I wanna apologize," Jesse said finally. His hands were stuffed in his jacket pockets. "I was a real jackass to you."

"You were. I wasn't joking about being done with you."

Jesse looked at Mae like he didn't believe her. Like he didn't believe she could have possibly gotten tired of everything he put her through. He lit a cigarette. "And why's that?"

Was this boy dropped on his head as a baby? "I've got what I need and it's not worth it anymore. Not that it ever was. But now I know that."

"Well, good for you."

Mae wasn't going to let him guilt her into changing her mind. She crossed her arms tighter. When one of her coworkers she actually liked passed by, Mae gave her a small nod. "It is. I'm fixing things with my mom and I'm getting ready for college. You don't need to be part of that picture. I don't want more on my chest than I already have."

Jesse nodded. "Well, we had fun, Mae," he said. "Good luck with everything." His tone sounded like he was implying she'd need luck to possibly be successful, but she wasn't going to give him any inclination she cared. Mae turned on her heel and walked back inside the restaurant.

***

"Dinner's on the stove," Mae's mother called as she came through the front door. That was new.

"Thanks," Mae said. Maybe coming home to dinner was a sign that her mother really was trying to turn over a new leaf.

"How was work?" her mother came into the kitchen. Immediately, Mae could tell something was bothering her. Her mother couldn't meet her eyes.

"It was fine," Mae said. "What's wrong?"

"Lynn needs surgery," her mother said without preamble. Mae's expression darkened before she could catch herself. "They're hoping it'll open up her throat so she can breathe."