Page 45 of Last First Date

"Mom," I sighed.

"Ricky's working now. He'll pay you back as soon as he gets paid." She had that whining tone she adopted whenever she wanted something.

"I'm giving money to Rick?" I asked.

"No, you're giving money to me. Rick and I have to share a car. His motorcycle needs some work. I've been walking to work but it gets old."

I bit down on my lower lip, trying not to say what was on my mind. My mother's new boyfriend was just like every other boyfriend. They always fell on hard times for one reason or another. "Mom, where is your car?"

"Rick has it. Like I said, he's got to fix a fuel pump or something on that bike of his. We can't afford to fix it right now."

"But you've got money for cigarettes and beer?" I asked.

"You always think you're too good for me," she accused, her voice laced with bitterness. "Yeah, we've got money for beer and cigarettes. I don't need you to tell me how to spend my money."

I fought the rising frustration, attempting to tread lightly, but dammit, it was so frustrating. "It's not about being better, Mom. It's about growing up, taking responsibility for ourselves. I want you to have a good life. These guys are just bringing you down. You manage to hook up with one loser after another."

Her face turned red, a sure sign that the argument was heating up. Just like so many other arguments.

"Not all of them are bad," she defended, her voice tense. "Rick's not like the others."

"Mom, you say that every time," I retorted, trying to keep my voice level but the frustration seeping through.

"They're not all the same. You don't know Rick. You don't know any of them," she shot back, standing up abruptly. "Rick has a good job. He's a foreman at a farm. He makes decent money. You've never even met him."

"Maybe that's because they never stick around long enough for me to meet. You go through men faster than most people go through shoes."

"That's not fair," she snapped, her bony fingers gripping the edge of the countertop until her knuckles grew white. "I'm not perfect, but at least I'm trying."

"Trying to do what exactly, Mom? Add more names to your list? These guys don't love you, Mom. They are using you. I want you to be happy. I want you to get out of this dump and find a man that will treat you right."

Her face twisted into a tight scowl. "I don't need your judgment, Miss High-and-Mighty. You act like you've got it all figured out. But let me tell you something, sweetheart. Life ain't no fairy tale."

"I know that, Mom," I replied, my voice softening. "I just want you to have more than this."

"More than what?" she asked, her voice now dangerously low.

"More than old, broken-down cars and guys who can't keep their jobs. More than struggling to make ends meet. More than living from paycheck to paycheck. I got a good job. You can too."

There was a long silence, interrupted only by the sound of the refrigerator humming in the background. "You should probably go before Rick gets home. He's not going to care for your attitude."

I shook my head. "Mom, please. I drove out here to spend the weekend with you."

"I'm busy. Rick and I are going out tonight. And I'm going to pick up a shift tomorrow."

It hurt. I wasn't going to lie. It hurt to have my mom kicking me out. She was choosing her newest boy toy over me. Again. When would I ever learn?

"Fine," I sighed. "I love you, Mom. I hope you know that."

"Thanks for the groceries," she muttered.

I pulled out my wallet and pulled out all thirty-six dollars I had and gave them to her. I walked out of the trailer and made the drive back to town feeling abandoned. I wished she could see the light. I wanted her to see she was worth so much more than what she thought.

When I got back to town, instead of going straight home, I went to the office to grab a few things. When I walked in, I was surprised to see Knox in his office.

He looked startled when I walked in. "Waverly."

"I'm just picking up my tablet," I said.