Page 61 of Takedown

“Anyway,” she says as if she didn’t hear a word I just said, “I wish I could have been there with you last Saturday just like I was when you went prom dress shopping.”

“Yeah, I remember that. I was so excited about junior prom, but you hated the dress I wanted. So much so that you walked out of the store and refused to pay for it. I think you said that I had already wasted your time, but I was not going to waste your money. Rememberthat? Once was enough for me. I learned a lesson that day, so I should thank you.”

“What? That you can go around me to your father to get what you want.” She stands too, all attempts of making nice gone.

“He told me he loved the dress, but that’s not the lesson I’m talking about. But it did help because he kind of resented you, even then. No, I learned that I’d have to make my own money and make my own decisions. I had a job and bought my own dress for senior prom.”

When I see the hurt look in her eyes, I regret my words about Dad resenting her. I meant what I said. It’s not my intention to hurt her, but every time she pulls at an old scab, my instinct is to strike back.

“Yes, I’m the terrible mother who ruined all your moments and doomed to pay for it for all eternity.”

I throw my hands up in defeat. “This is why I leave when you’re around. You push all my buttons. You want me to take half the blame because you were a shitty mother to me, and I refuse to do that. You’re doing it again. You’re pitting me against Jason, but I won’t let you do it this time.”

“I’m his mother, just like I’m yours. Manicures, shopping, and wedding planning with Molly won’t change that.”

“This is absurd, even for you, Mother.” I walk around her and stand on the opposite side of the room. I visibly exhale in relief when Alex returns. “I’m going upstairs, Alex. Do you need anything before I go?”

“Already? Is Adam back?” I shake my head and remind her that Adam is helping Uncle Finn with something. “Well, then.” A smile lights up her face, and she hooks an arm through mine. “We’re going to eat strawberry ice cream and watch reruns of The Golden Girls. Please.” She bats her eyelashes, and I relent.

“Go sit down. I’ll get the ice cream.” She waddles away, grabs the TV remote, and sits on the couch.

“Are you going to have some, Diane?” Alex asks my mother. “We have vanilla almond Swiss and butter pecan if you prefer.”

I grab bowls and pull out the unopen pint of strawberry and silently pray that Mother will decide to go to her room early, but once again, I’m forsaken.

“Strawberry for me, Melanie.” Our love for strawberry flavored desserts is the one thing that we all have in common. We always had strawberry ice cream at home growing up. After bringing three bowls, topped with whipped cream, Alex turns on our favorite old sitcom. She had never watched the show before she met me. In fact, my mother would watch reruns of it when I was a child and I’d watch too. Most of the jokes went over my head, but now it’s one of my favorite shows.

Two episodes later, Adam knocks on the door, and Alex asks him to come in. He pulls me on his lap and kisses me senseless in front of everybody. He finally pulls away when my mother loudly clears her throat. It turns out, Molly loves this show too, and Adam has seen every episode. So, for the next hour, the three of us sit together and laugh. He even shares my second bowl of ice cream with me.

“Everything okay?” he asks me when we get upstairs to our apartment. “Did she do something to upset you?” I get on my toes and wrap my arms around his neck.

“Aaaadam,” I say, doing my best Uncle Finn impersonation, “I missed you. Is Uncle Finn okay?”

“He’s fine. I’m the one who’s meshugana for dealing with his ass all night. He tricked me. He said he had some paperwork he wanted me to look at, but he really asked me over there to help look through a bunch of dating profiles. He’s been swiping right all night.”

32

February brought crazy weather that included two blizzards and an ice storm, but the crazier the weather got, the calmer the drama became. There was no more bickering between Mel and her mom and zero confrontations between me and Jason.

Even the phone calls have waned. I wish they would stop completely, but at least they are limited to only the mornings now. According to Mel and my mom, they’ve taken care of all the big items for the wedding. Mel’s got her dress, we have a church, food, and flowers. The only big detail left is the cake, but since Mel knows the owner of the bakery and the type of cake she wants, she’s not stressing about it. In fact, she has an appointment to go cake tasting next month.

We even got the joint bank accounts so Mel can track every penny we spend. Unfortunately for Mel, she has no idea about my other accounts, but that’s okay for now. I’ll just need to find the right time to tell her. Maybe when we get back from our honeymoon.

February not only brought crazy weather but fun times too. Alex’s baby shower is being hosted by Jason’s best friend and his wife. Melanie and Ananda helped Sandy plan, and on the morning of the shower, we were met with dry but bitter cold temperatures and biting winds. It reminded me that my wife will need a new car before next winter.

It is also the first time, other than when her mother blew into town, that she’s needed me.

“Hey, wife,” I say a couple of hours after she left to go set up. “Don’t worry, I won’t forget to bring your clothes.” She was in such a hurry, she forgot to bring her change of clothes. “Or the gift you left here,” I snicker.

“Thanks, stud.” I smile at my nickname. “What are you doing?”

“Laying in the middle of our bed. All alone, I might add.”

“You’d better be alone.” I can hear a hard edge to her voice, and I smile at her sudden bout of jealousy.

“Yes, dear. Put those claws away.”

“Can you come now, Adam? We need help.” Alex is one of my best friends, so I only complained a little about going to a baby shower. Going there hours early doesn’t exactly sound great, but Mel does sound a little stressed. “We just need help with setting up the decorations and stuff. Please.”

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