Page 41 of Campfires & Canines
I don't want to go back and face my uncle yet, so I grab a cheeseburger from the singular drive-thru and browse the tiny clothing boutique in town. They share the space with an outdoor supply store, and I toy with the idea of getting some hiking boots. It's an enjoyable distraction. That is, until my mother calls.
My phone vibrates in my back pocket and the screen says Mom. With a deep breath, I accept the call.
“Mijita!” she warbles.
“Hi, Mama,” I answer, forcing a smile and praying for patience.
“I heard you took a little trip! Why didn’t you tell me?” she sweetly accuses.
“Mama,” I start.
“Did you bring Jeremy with you?” she interrupts. “Are you eloping and not telling me?” Her voice rises hysterically. Is she serious?
“Mom.”
“I can’t believe you’d do that!”
“Jeremy and I broke up!” I bellow.
“What?”
“Yeah, he was a selfish jerk,” I say lamely.
“Oh, it’s okay to have some little fights,” she says.
“It wasn’t a fight. He cheated on me.” My fire goes out, my words full and heavy.
The line is quiet. I think it’s the first time in my life she’s been speechless.
“So yes, we broke up.” A bitter little laugh slips out.
“Oh, Mija, how could you let this happen?” I choke. There it is.
“I’m not sure,” I mumble, “how could…” I can’t bring myself to endure her special type of torture today. “Look, Mom, I can’t talk.”
“You need to come home, baby.”
“I said, I can’t talk right now.” This call just needs to end.
“Come home tomorrow,” she demands.
Time for some boundaries. “That’s not going to happen.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry,” I spew, an automatic reaction, “but I don’t want to.”
She cuts my off again. “How could you speak to your mother like this?”
“I need to go.”
“How could my daughter be such a disrespectful little-”
“I love you,” I say, right before ending the call.
Within seconds, my phone pings with incoming texts. Exhaling slowly, I mute my messaging app.
My therapist would be so proud.
