Page 42 of Imperfections Seduced
“Like a cocker spaniel?” I put my hand across my waist and cover my mouth with the other to stop myself from laughing, she sounds ridiculous. I can see Ava’s lips twitching, she wants to laugh so badly. “Mom, this is not the 1800s. At this point I’ll settle for a man whose status is uncomplicated. If I get the cocker spaniel you’re talking about, I’m sure he’s going to come with complications and high demands. I think I’ll settle for a poodle; they’re showy but I believe they’re more loyal than the spaniel.”
“Don’t mock me, young lady.”
The look she’s giving me could melt ice on a zero degree day in the middle of January. My mother doesn’t do well with sarcasm or mockery when it’s directed at her—something else Kate and her have in common.
“I’m going to ignore your last remark. You are still young; you will learn I am right when it comes to relationships between men and women. That brings me back to the reason I came down here.”
She’s upset with me, but she won’t say anything in frontof Ava. She doesn’t believe in airing her dirty laundry in front of other people.
“I have the perfect man for you; he’s tall, great bone structure and a nice physique, he’s very fit, he works out daily.”
“What, is he a personal trainer?”
“No!”
“All right, calm down, don’t get your feathers in a bunch.” She can be so serious at times.
“He’s a successful investment banker, graduated top of his class from an Ivy League college. This means he will be able to take care of you and any children you may have—if you are wise enough to choose to go out with him and pursue a relationship using the lessons I have mentioned to you today.”
Pursue is an interesting choice of words. Why does she keep bringing up children? Isn’t that putting the cart before the horse? Is there a sign on me saying I had sex with Nick, might be knocked up, but can pass it off as someone else’s? If she knew, all hell would break loose; she would absolutely jump across this table and bitch slap me for ruining the appearance of our perfect family. She’s never wanted people to see the cracks in our family’s foundation.
“Um, thanks, Mom, but I can take care of myself. I don’t need a man to do that.”
She pats me on the leg and lowers her voice as if I’m a little girl that doesn’t fully understand what she’s saying. “I’m thrilled that you can take care of yourself, that’s why we put you through college and gave you an education. But it’s so much better when the person you’re with can do that for you. It’s called options, sweetie; options, don’t you agree, Ava?”
“Yes, I do, Mrs. Reed, if Cat doesn’t want him send him over here. I like to go to the bank especially when I’mmaking a withdrawal of someone else’s money. It’s the American way.”
“This is a girl after my own heart.”
“Too bad she isn’t your daughter, the two of you sound like the perfect pair.” Of gold diggers.
“Cat, please think about setting up a date with this guy. I have to go make a few phone calls.” With a heavy sigh, she rises from the couch like the queen she believes she is, straightens her A-line navy blue Calvin Klein dress, and leaves the room.
When she’s out of sight I turn to Ava. “Can you believe her?”
“She wants to set you up with a rich, eligible bachelor—isn’t that what every mother wants for their daughter?”
“No, most mothers want their daughter to be happy with whomever they’re with. Mine is more concerned about how much money he has in the bank.”
“She wants the best for you, what mother doesn’t? It wouldn’t hurt to take some of her advice; some of what she said is true.”
“Please, you don’t believe that nonsense she was spouting. You’ve dated lots of men that weren’t rich and didn’t come from a family with good pedigree. What the hell does that mean, anyway? She’s using show dog terms now to describe people.”
She smiles. “True, I have dated a lot of guys who weren’t rich. I’ve learned that men are the same whether they’re rich or poor. If you’re a jerk, you’re a jerk, no matter how much money you have. She was right about one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“It is nice to have a man take care of you, even if you can do it yourself. If he starts acting up, you have theoption of telling him to beat it, because you have your own money to take care of yourself.”
“I don’t want or need any lessons when it comes to relationships from my mother. She’s the last person I need relationship advice from. If you knew what I knew, you wouldn’t either.”
“What do you know?”
“Forget it. Let’s go upstairs.” I don’t want to talk about my mother’s dirty little secrets. I have my own to worry about. And I don’t want to air mine where others can hear. She follows behind me as I clomp upstairs to my room. Once she shuts the door behind her, the interrogation starts.
“So, best friend of mine, why have you been avoiding me?”
“I wasn’t avoiding you, I’ve been busy,” I say, pinning my hair up in a ponytail avoiding eye contact.
