14
“Charlene, it’s not an easy decision.”
“It sounds like it to me. But then again, you always like to micro-analyze everything,” Charlene replied. “Can you just admit that you’re happy with how things are?”
“But what about my dreams? I’ve wanted this for so long.”
“Yeah. So?”
Charlene didn’t get it. For years, all she’d wanted was to score a good role. Now that the opportunity had presented itself, she wasn’t sure she wanted it. “Do you know you’re absolutely no help at all?”
“You could call your mother. But I’m sure you’re going to hear the same thing.”
She was right. Mama was going to tell her a career wasn’t as important as a husband. But she wasn’t married. Actually, they hadn’t even spoken of marriage. They’d been living together for four months and things were going so smoothly that she couldn’t be happier. Well, there was one thing that she’d change, and that was how many hours they spent apart. It was one drawback to being part of a production. With the hours involved, it was like working another full-time job.
“Mama just wants grandchildren. She’d say anything to get them. Why don’t you marry Sal and give her some, so she’ll leave me alone?” Sofia teased.
“Gross. Sal is so…by the book.”
“He’s a police officer. What do you want?” Sofia asked.
“Adventure. You know, someone who doesn’t mind living on the edge once in a while. Someone who can skinny dip on a whim.”
Sofia rolled her eyes. If Sal did skinny dip, she didn’t want to know about it. “Charlene, I was joking. I love you as my best friend, but you could never survive having Mama as your mother-in-law.”
“Oh God no. I forgot all about that. Sal is off the list.” Charlene laughed. “So, I guess that means you’ll just have to give her a son-in-law.”
“Since when did you start siding with her?” Sofia asked.
“Well, with you in the city, I have to go in and get my own meals. That means your mother spends her time asking me all these questions, instead of you. The only thing that’s going to make her stop is you getting married.”
So you think.“I guess you have two choices.”
“What are they?” Charlene asked.
“Either make your answers shorter so she stops or find another place to eat.”
“Wait, I was getting excited. I already picked out my maid-of-honor dress too.”
“You’ll be in a wedding dress before you’re my maid of honor. Dylan and I are happy just the way we are. Why screw with it? Do you know how many relationships work until they get married?” Sofia really didn’t have any numbers on it, but she remembered hearing it somewhere.
“Wow. You’re really scared,” Charlene said. “I thought it was the acting thing that was holding you back, but it’s not. It’s…you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Sofia, besties know this shit. This has nothing to do with a career, your mother or even Dylan. You’re questioning yourself.”
“Really? Did you get a degree in psychology that I’m unaware of?”
“And your reluctance to talk about it only proves how right I am. So, do I need to come up there and give you a lecture in person, or can I do it over the phone? Because you’re getting one whether you like it or not.”
She questioned why she’d even bothered calling Charlene. It definitely wasn’t to hear this crap. Sofia wasn’t afraid of being with Dylan. Actually, she looked forward to going home each night to his waiting arms.
“What can I say to make you stop?”
Charlene said, “Three words.”
“Which are?”