Page 11 of Eye of the Hurricane
I take my overfilled wine glass and head straight for the hot bath I ran for myself. I set the glass on the edge of the tub and sink into the water. It’s just hot enough to sting a little. I let out a sigh, feeling the tension of the day fall away.
I’m all for a fancy bathtub soak. I go all out. Essential oils, bubble bath, candles, a show or movie on my phone, and most importantly, the wine.
Just as I’m pulling up my favorite garbage reality TV show, my phone vibrates in my hand. It’s my mother. Just like that, the tension is back tenfold. I drag in a deep breath before pressing that godforsaken green button.
“Hi, Momma.” I muster up all of the energy and kindness I can, which is probably far less than you’d imagine.
“Hello, Katherine. I haven’t heard from you in a couple of weeks.” Her voice and the thick drawl of her accent leaves me both glad I left Louisiana and somehow miserably homesick. It’s nothing against the state, I love it there almost as much as I love South Carolina. But, the more distance between me and my mother, the better.
“Sorry, I’ve just been busy.” I know it isn’t what she wants to hear but it’s the truth. A dry laugh echos in my ear.Here we go.
“Don’t tell me this is about sports. I thought we were over that.”
As if it’s something I could just get over. It’s my career, it’s my dream. That’s never mattered to her, though. My education and my career have always just been the things standing in the way of me being the daughter she thinks I should be.
“Yeah, Momma. It’s about the hockey team. I’m going for my dream job in a couple of months. It’s going to take a lot of prep work.” I don’t know why I let myself play into the delusion that she might say she’s proud of me. Hope hurts and I don’t know why I still let myself have it when it comes to her.
“And what exactlyisthis dream job of yours?” There isn’t an ounce of sincerity in her voice when she asks. It’s sarcastic and mean.
“PR manager for the South Carolina Sea Dragons. The state’s NHL team,” I explain.
Her laugh rings out and it’s a slap in the face. I knew it was coming, but it doesn’t hurt any less.
“You don’t really think that you’ll get a position in management with an NHL team as a woman, do you?” My mother laughs as if it’s the most unbelievable thing she’s ever heard. I’ve always known her stance on women in the athletics space. In her eyes, it’s not a place for women.
“I really think I have a chance,” I mutter meekly.
Her laughter stops and with it, a serious air settles over the call. “That’s just silly, Katherine. You have had your fun, but it’s time you give this whole thing up and come home. You’re twenty-four years old, Katherine. You need to stop worrying about this ‘sports’ dream of yours. It’s time to settle down and find a husband.”
In a perfect world, I would cut my parents off, never speak to them. But it’s not a perfect world. Reality is that until I’m making enough money to stand on my own two feet, I’m stuck with Mommy and Daddy footing the bill.
I know, I know. Poor rich girl and her rich girl problems. I get it. I feel like I get a pass to let them foot the bill on my dreams, though. I call it payment for the emotional damage.
“I can have a careeranda husband, Momma. Women all over the world do it.” Instead of crying like my body begs to, I do the dumbest thing I’ve possibly ever done.
“I have a boyfriend actually,” I lie. “It’s uh… getting pretty serious,” I double down.
“Oh my goodness! Katherine, this is the best news! I’m thrilled for you. I’m so proud of you for finally settling down.” Thinking all the way back, this is the first time I can ever remember my mother being proud of me. I especially don’t remember her saying it out loud. “Why did you wait so long to tell us?” she asks as her initial excitement fades.
“You know me, I’m just a private person,” I say with a nervous laugh.
“This is perfect! Josie and Colin are getting married this fall, you can bring him. That’s why I called, to let you know about the wedding.”
Fuck. Okay, didn’t anticipate that.
“I don’t think he’ll be able to travel home with me during the school year. I’ll try to be home for the wedding, though.”
“The wedding is out there, actually. Charleston is pretty close to where you’re going to school, right?” Of course, it is. Because I’m justthatlucky.This is why we don’t lie, kids.
“Yep, Charleston is pretty close. I guess we should have no problem making it there.” No sooner are the words out of my mouth, I start planning a fake breakup with my fake boyfriend in my head.
“Oh, I just can’t wait to meet him!” she gushes.
“Me either,” I lie.
“Your father and I will just stay with you for the weekendsince you live so close.” There’s thatgleamingluck of mine again.
“What about Bub?” I ask. Bub is my big brother, Noah. He’s three years older than me. He’s a lot more supportive than my parents, but he lacks the spine to actually stand up for me. When it’s just me and him, he’s all ‘chase your dreams’ and ‘so proud of you’. When my parents are around, he sides with them.
