“Now I’m worried,” her mother said.
“Why?”
“Charlene, you’re not saying anything. Fine. Great. Those are not your normal responses. I’m usually waiting to get a word in. Tell me Charlene, what’s the matter? Home sick?”
That was definitely the easiest answer to give. But she prided herself on always telling the truth. “I do like it here. But it’s not really what I expected.”
“The job or New York City?”
“Mom, I’ve been to the city before. But I guess it will take some time to get used to working for a huge corporation.” Charlene wasn’t sure she ever would get used to it. Everyone there seemed to look the same, either a black, brown, navy or grey suit. She was the only one who stood out, wearing dresses with more than just a pop of color.
“All jobs come with a learning curve. One thing I know about you Charlene, is you don’t give up. If you want something, you’re going to do whatever you need to in order to get it.”
Does that include my wanting Seth to get back here safe and sound?She wished it was that easy. “Thanks Mom. I needed to hear that.”
“You know your father and I are always here for you.”
“I know Mom.” But her mother knew that for the most part, Charlene liked to be independent. And when she needed someone to talk to, it was Sofia that she turned to.
“Have you seen Sofia?”
“Of course. Had dinner there a few days ago.”
“That’s good. And are you making any friends? Or maybe meeting any eligible bachelors?” her mother asked.
“Mom, I’ve been here just over a week. I’m here to work, not to meet someone.” Of course, it just so happened that she did, and if things worked out, she wasn’t opposed to it.
“A mother can always hope. I thought when Sofia got married and settled down, that you might follow suit.”
“Mom, you’re not going to start on the grandmother thing again are you?”
“Well I did see Mrs. Marciano this week and she was showing me pictures of her granddaughter. Liliana is adorable. I want to brag about my grandchild someday too.”
“And you will. Just not anytime soon. I’m not looking to start a family right now. I’ve barely gotten my feet wet with starting a career.”
“Charlene, are you telling me you’d rather have a career over love?” her mother asked.
She had been hoping for a distraction, but this was more like an added frustration. Any other day and she’d let her mother go on, because Charlene had inherited her gift for gab from her mother. But right now, it wasn’t doing anything to help her headache.
“Mom, I don’t mean to cut this conversation short, but I was just about to lie down for a bit.”
“Nap? You? Now I know something is wrong,” her mother said, her tone said she was concerned.
“I have a headache. Not enough sleep lately. And tomorrow is Monday. I want to be fresh and ready for another week.” Once again, all true.
“Okay. I hope that’s all it is. Because I worry about you.”
Charlene knew all about worrying. But at least her mother didn’t have a reason to. “I’m okay Mom. I’ll call you during the week.”
“Okay, but if you don’t call me, “I’m calling Sofia,” she threatened.
Charlene laughed. “Okay Mom, I promise, you’ll hear from me by Thursday.”
“Better. I love you.”
“I love you too Mom,” Charlene said and ended the call.
Even though part of it was a conversation she didn’t want to have, Charlene actually did feel a bit better. She stripped off her clothes and decided a hot shower might actually take the last remnants of the headache away. Sure enough, once inside, the tension diminished. “Why didn’t I think of this earlier?” She let the hot water beat down on her back and shoulders until she was totally relaxed. Only then did she step out of the shower and wrap herself in a large white bath sheet.