April 23, 2018

Chloe’s day passed by just like the others had in the last two weeks. She went to school, did her homework, started seeing David regularly, and kept her ring in the box for safe keeping. Sometimes, when she knew her mother wasn’t around, she would put it back on and lay on her bed feeling as giddy as any newly engaged woman would be.

And that’s exactly what Chloe was doing when a knock came to the door. But not one of those nice knocks that Nathaniel always used. One of those hard booming knocks from her mother when things were about to hit the fan. Chloe barely had time to put the ring in the box and slide it under her pillow when her mother barged in.

Anita crossed her arms across her chest, looking around the room. Chloe recovered enough from the commotion to not look guilty. And Nathaniel was stomping down the hall from their room to her own to stand in the doorway.

“What’s going on?” Chloe finally asked once her mother did one full turn and faced her again.

“Oh, nothing really,” Anita said. “Is there anything you want to tell me?” Eyes narrowed and nostrils flared in the silence.

“No.”

“Really? You don’t want to tell me you’re getting married? Because I would have thought that the woman who gave birth to you would be one of the first ones to know!”

“Mom, I—”

“But you told Nathaniel before you told me! And not only that, but he’s known for two weeks! What the hell, Chloe? Don’t I deserve to be told by you to my face? Or were you just gonna tell me after the wedding happened?”

“No! I wasn’t! I didn’t know how to tell you because you don’t like David! I was worried—”

“That I’d ruin it for you? That I wouldn’t be happy for you?”

“That you would freak out!”

Anita took half a step back, sizing Chloe up as if she was just now really looking at her daughter. “You didn’t tell me because you didn’t want me to freak out?” She chuckled dryly. “Oh, okay. I get it. If I’m not happy about something, I’m freaking out. But when I’m happy about something, I’m manic.”

“Anita, that’s not what she meant and you know it!” Nathaniel said behind her. “Your dislike of David has always been obvious. But he makes her happy. So how is she supposed to tell her mother she wants to be with someone you don’t like? Someone you disapprove of?”

“It doesn’t matter, Nathan!” Anita turned to see him, pointing a finger. “I’m her mother! She’s supposed to find a way to tell me!”

“Did Grandma approve of my dad?” Chloe’s question was quiet, yet so deafening loud.

“What did you say?” Anita’s full attention came back to Chloe.

“When you had to tell Grandma you got knocked up in high school, did Grandma like my dad? Or did she hate him?”

Chloe knew bits and pieces of the story about her parents. Her grandmother did, in fact, hate her father because if he could keep his hands to himself things would have been different. She was afraid once Chloe was born he would leave. He did. And when her mother ran back home to Grandma and Grandpa, things were better. Loud and scary at times, but better.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Anita’s voice was low; warning.

“I know Grandma didn’t think he was a good person. I know she was glad when he left. How did you tell her you were pregnant?”

“I made him own up to it."

“How is that any different than me asking Nathaniel to tell you first?” Before Anita could answer, Chloe pressed on. “I was worried about how you would react. So I asked for help. And you’re mad at me anyway! I wanted you to be happy for me and to support me, but that’s always too much to ask for!”

Anita snapped. “I have always supported you, no matter what! I have given you everything! You should be grateful; I didn’t even want to keep you!”