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“Oh, Meems.” My heart hurts. I never want my daughter to be wise to the drama between me and my mom. I’ve got to do better. When I was her age, I knew way too much about fighting and family tension. So did Zane. We’ve vowed not to let Mia experience any of that shit, and yet …
She dashes up the stairs and looks back at me. “Don’t worry, Mommy. My work here is done. Peace out.”
I can’t help but gawk after her. My child. You’d think she was a teenager and she’s barely seven. Nevertheless, I’m going to handle this tomorrow. It would kill me if Mia felt about me the way I feel about my own mother most of the time.
Speaking of which. Just when my life is going well,sheshows up. I can’t afford to let her derail me. Not again. I also can’t let her take out her shit on Zane.
Fuck.
I scurry to where the voices are coming from.
”You’re a liar. You got what you wanted, my daughter doesn’t even speak to me,” Mom hisses at Zane, who stands across from her with his palms pressed to his thighs. “There’s no coincidence when that all started. Yourwedding.”
To his credit, Zane keeps calm. “Faye, I don’t interfere in your relationship with Fiona. That’s all on you.”
“How dare you.” She lunges toward him.
He retreats. “Don’t. Not in my home. With my daughter here.”
“She’s not your fucking daughter. It’s a goddamn blessing she’s not yours. It’s a goddamnblessingmy daughter is on birth control. God forbid you get herpregnant.” My mom’s so worked up spittle flies from her mouth.
“Stop.” I hold my hand out like a shield. “Enough.”
My mom and Zane spin around, stunned to see me.
“Fiona. Baby.” Mom’s crocodile tears appear. “I’ve missed you so badly, why haven’t you called? Or texted? I had to come check to see if you’re okay.”
“No. I’m not fucking okay.”
Mom whirls around to Zane. “Iknewit.”
”Can we please sit down?” I gesture to the sofas. “Mia is awake, and I would like to have a civilized conversation using indoor voices to stop this madness once and for all.”
Zane plops down. Leans back. Spreads his arms along the back of the couch, unbothered. “Yeah. I think it’s time to just get things on the table. Once and for all.”
Faye looks back and forth between us and sits, reluctantly, on the edge of a chair.
“I have tried to have this conversation with you so many times, Mom. I’d appreciate if you’d let me say my piece.” I take the seat next to Zane but lean forward and clasp my hands.
My mom points at me. “I will not be made out as the bad mom in this…”
“Youarea bad mom,” I state simply. “You have some motherly instincts, but mostly you are abusive, shaming, judgmental, and unkind.”
Her face reddens, her voice raises an octave. “Howdareyou. After all I sacrificed for you.”
“No. That doesnotfly with me. I’d sacrifice anything to protect my daughter.Anything. And I wouldn’tdreamof making her feel like shit about herself. You don’t get to talk to me about sacrifice.” I shake my head, careful to keep my voice calm.
“Without me, you’d be on the street.” Faye clenches her teeth. “You’d have seven kids out of wedlock. You’d be nothing.”
Zane can’t help himself. “Oh, hell no …”
“Babe, I’ve got this.” I grip his hand on the back of the sofa. He sighs, but nods.
Faye stands. Nearly bares her teeth. “I’m not going to listen to anything you have to say. Clearly, I’m not welcome. I should have taken the money Corey offered, at least then I could see Mia when I want to. Hell, I’d probably havecustodyof my grandchild. A mansion to raise her in. But no good deed goes unpunished.”
“Holy shit. Do you actually hear what you’re saying?” I’m stunned. Utterly stunned.. I had no idea Corey tried to buy her off. It’s hard to know if she’s lying. When she’s in a mood, my mom says horrible, shitty, untrue stuff. It’s been this way my entire life. Then she’ll be nice, helpful, agreeable, and pleasant for a while like she’s changed. Eventually the hurtful, abusive word vomit explodes again.
It fucks with you. It really does.
