Page 28 of Fake It For Glory

“It’s work,” I said, sighing.

“Your father?”

“Mom, I don’t want to burden you with this,” I said.

“It’s not a burden. I want to know what’s going on in your life. I’m here to listen.”

I took a deep breath. “Dad will never take me seriously! Ever.”

I rambled on, unleashing a verbal torrent of all my grievances regarding my father’s lack of faith in my abilities. It felt good to vent, to get it all off my chest, but as the words poured out, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt for dumping so much negativity about my father on my mother.

“He is never going to let me write anything that means anything,” I said. “I’m so sick of the fluff pieces. I feel like he only gave me the job because he had to. He could care less if I actually write anything with substance. I will always be the fluff reporter. I’m the one that fills in the blank spaces at the back of the paper or in this case, that website. I just want to write something that matters.”

My mother listened intently, her expression softening as I spoke. When I finished, she reached out and took my hand. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know how important your writing is to you.”

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. “I just don’t know what to do. I feel stuck.”

“Maybe it’s time to start thinking about other options,” she suggested. “Have you considered freelancing?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know anything about freelancing.”

“Well, it’s worth looking into. There are plenty of opportunities out there. You could write for different publications, find your own projects, and really explore what you want to say with your writing.”

I furrowed my brow, considering her words. “I don’t know, Mom. It sounds like a lot of work, and I don’t even know where to start.”

“You won’t know until you try,” she said with a smile. “And besides, you’re a talented writer. I have no doubt that you’ll succeed if you put your mind to it.”

I couldn’t help but smile back at her. “Thanks, Mom. You always know how to make me feel better.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” she said.

A sheepish expression crossed my face. “Sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to go on like that. I know you still care for him, and you wish things had gone differently. I don’t mean to unload on you about him. I know how hard it is to hear about him.”

My mother smiled warmly, her eyes filled with understanding. “There’s nothing to be sorry for, Merida. It was a long time ago. I want to hear about your life. What are you going to do about the article he won’t let you write?”

I hesitated for a moment, contemplating my response. Finally, I mustered up the resolve to speak the truth. “I’ve decided that I’m going to write it anyway.”

Mom’s eyes twinkled with a mixture of pride and support as she lifted her glass of wine. “That’s my girl.”

In that moment, I felt a rush of determination. “Thanks, Mom. But what do I do when I finish the article?” I asked.

She shrugged. “You shop it around.”

“Do you think Dad would blacklist me?” I asked.

“Oh, I doubt that,” she said, smiling. “He wants you to be successful.”

“I’m not sure about that. If he did, wouldn’t he let me stretch my wings and fly? He is keeping his thumb on me. He’s clipped my wings.”

My mother reached out to take my hand, her expression serious. “Merida, you can’t let your father hold you back. You’re a grown woman, and you have the right to pursue your dreams. If writing this article is what you want to do, then do it. If your father tries to stop you, you’ll find a way around him.”

I nodded, grateful for her words of encouragement. “You’re right, Mom. I can do this. And if Dad tries to stop me, I’ll just have to be more cunning.”

A wicked smile crossed my mother’s face. “That’s the spirit! You come from a long line of strong and cunning women. We don’t let anyone hold us back.”

I laughed, feeling empowered by her words. “I won’t let anyone hold me back, Mom. Not even Dad.”

We finished our glasses of wine in comfortable silence, both lost in our own thoughts. As the evening wore on, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for my mother’s support. She had always been my rock, and I knew that without her, I would never have had the courage to pursue my dreams.