“He’s taking everything?”
“Every cent. Plus, he called me a few weeks ago after you got in a fight and said he forbids you to go to school for acting. So I’ve been trying to save up to help pay for your schooling.”
“You’ve been doing that for me?”
“I know how much you don’t want to go into law, but your father is determined that you do for his own selfish reasons. I’ve lived under your father’s shadow for so long, I don’t want that for you. I want to be able to provide for you and give you the income to help with you going into the major of your choice. That’s why when these jobs came up, I had to take them. I knew I couldn’t lose out on such a big sum of money that could’ve been used to help you, and the deal I had around your birthday was for a big studio. I have enough for us to begin again.”
She was thinking of me. After all these weeks I’d spent being upset with her, it turned out she was thinking of me the whole time. She wasn’t abandoning me—she was fightingfor me. She wasn’t going on these luxury trips around the world—she was hustling hard to provide for me.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.
“The lawyer said it would be best to get all my ducks in a row before bringing you into it. They didn’t want your involvement pushing your father to be more vicious than he already plans to be. I wanted to tell you sooner, Landon. I hated keeping this from you. I hated holding this all in for so long, but...” Her body began shaking in the chilled air, and I took off my coat and wrapped it around her.
I didn’t know what to say, so I said the only thing that really came to mind. “I’m sorry Dad’s a dick.”
She laughed and started crying. “It’s OK. But getting a divorce from the best divorce lawyer in all of Chicago has had me on edge.”
Without any more thought, I hugged her, and like always, I melted into her arms. “I’m sorry,” I said again, this time for her hurting. She cried into my shoulder, and I held her even tighter.
She pulled back a little, nervously laughing as she wiped away her tears. “I didn’t plan on crying.”
“You always cry.”
“Not always,” she snickered. “I got you flowers,” she said, handing me the bouquet, which was now smooshed from our hug. “They looked better before, I swear. I’m not sure if you’re supposed to give male actors flowers, but I’m your mother, so you’re getting flowers.”
I smirked. “Thanks.”
“Do you want to go home and watch some bad movies and stuff our faces?” she asked.
“One hundred percent.”
We got home, ordered in some food, and trashed the livingroom. We didn’t even turn on the television. We just talked for hours.
“So, this acting thing,” Mom said, smiling from ear to ear. “You’re into it?”
“I told Dad I was thinking of picking up a theater major next fall, but he shut down that idea.”
“Your father doesn’t get to control your choices. That’s why I’ve been working so hard—to give you that freedom.”
“I don’t want to put all that stress on you. That’s too much for you to do for me.”
“Landon.” She shook her head and placed her hands on my shoulders. “Everything I do is for you. If you want to go into the acting program at your college, then we are going to get you into the acting program at your college. If you want to move to Los Angeles and dive right into Hollywood, I know people out there, too. It’s your choice. No ifs, ands, or buts.”
I nodded once. “I don’t even know if I’m good enough—”
“You’re good enough,” she cut in. “You’ve always been good enough to do anything.” She tossed a french fry into her mouth. “On another topic... is there anything there between Miss Juliet, or is that all acting?”
I laughed. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to a mother’s eyes. The way you look at her... What’s the story there?”
Oh, if only she knew. “It’s a long one.”
“That’s OK.” She smiled. “We have time tonight.”
I told her everything about Shay, and she listened to every word eagerly. When it was time for bed, I gave her a hug and thanked her for coming home to make my show. I knew she’d be flying out come morning, but having her for parents’ night? That mattered more than she knew.
“Always. I love you, I love you,” she said, still holding me in her embrace.