As if Alec had just toilet papered my house or played a prank on me.
“Mama. Alec fucked another girl while he was dating me. Is that not registering with you?” My body startled as the words left my mouth. I’d never cursed in front of my mother, and I was certain I would pay a hefty price for doing so, but damn if it didn’t feel good.
“Yes,” Clem shouted. “This is the year of the woman. Amen, sister. He doesn’t get to get away with this. It is time for men to sit back and listen to our voices. No means no. Enough means enough. Suck it, Alec Taulson.”
My sister sat back in her seat and took an oversized bite of cornbread as the table sat in complete shock over both of our outbursts.
“Everyone needs to settle down,” Daddy said, looking between Clem and me.
“Settle down? I will not allow that language at my table. Adelaide, clear your place and excuse yourself. You may spend the rest of the night in your room.” Mama’s hard stare landed on me. Normally I’d be in tears to see her this disappointed in me. But I wasn’t. I was still trying to tamper down my anger that she was siding with Alec after what he’d done.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Mama. I’m done here.” I carried my plate to the sink and stormed out of the room.
I heard Clementine chanting in the background. “It is time. You go, girl. We are done being silenced.”
I tried not to laugh. Such a strange mix of emotion. I was so angry I could spit nails, and I fought back the desire to break out in a fit of giggles at the same time.
I heard my mother scold Clementine and send her to her room as well, and I slammed my door before dropping down on my bed.
The door flew open. “Proud of you, sister. I always wondered what you were doing with that tool. I know he’s Mama T’s son, but I was sick of everything always having to be his way. It’s your time to shine now. And your light is so bright, Addy.”
“I love you, Clem,” I said, swiping at the tear that ran down my cheek.
“Love you more. I better go before the warden comes up and finds us conspiring.” She closed my door and I laughed.
I thought about her words. Did everything always have to be Alec’s way? Maybe. But I was at fault too, if that were true. I had a voice. And it was damn well time I started using it.
I moved to my desk and opened my computer. I searched for information about the journalism program at Texas University. It was only a few hours away from Willow Springs, and it was one of the most prestigious colleges in the country. I probably wouldn’t get in, but there was no harm in trying.
I was done being told what I should do.
It was time to start doing what I wanted.
And I wanted to be a journalist. I wanted to write. I wanted to learn.
I wanted to attend a university that would challenge me.
I pulled up the application and got to work.
The next morning was very chilly in our house. Not because the heat wasn’t on or because it was a crisp fall morning in Texas. The iciness came from Mama, who barely acknowledged mine or Clem’s presence. Daddy rubbed her back when he entered the kitchen. He gave us each a half-smile.
The poor man was between a rock and a hard place. He adored my mother, and he loved his daughters. So, keeping the peace was his only hope of survival.
“Are you not speaking to us, Mama?” Clem asked. I had to give it to her. The girl had balls larger than life.
Mama dropped to sit at the table as we each took a slice of French toast off the platter and started eating. “I’m just trying to cool down, Clem.”
“I don’t understand why you’re angry. I get it, Addy dropped the infamous F-bomb, but you were angry before that. If Daddy cheated on you, would you be okay with it?” she asked.
My father coughed and spewed his orange juice across the table, and I covered my smile with my hand. Mama reached over and rubbed his back before facing my sister again, while Daddy used his napkin to clean up his mess.
“Don’t be silly. We’re married. Addy and Alec are kids. Kids do dumb things sometimes. It doesn’t make Alec a bad person.”
“No. But it does make him a bad boyfriend. I’m sorry that you and Mama T are so determined for us to be together that you’re overlooking my happiness. It’s sad, really.” I pushed my food around my plate as I had no appetite.
My mother’s face paled and she glanced at my father, who looked away. He knew it was true. This obsession they had with us being together. I understood my mother’s loyalty to Mama T. They’d been best friends since they were in preschool. More like sisters, really. Mama’s parents struggled financially, they worked a lot and were never around. She was an only child and she’d spent a lot of time over at Mama T’s house when they were growing up. Mama T’s family lived on the posh side of town, whereas my mom’s family had a small house on the other side of the lake. She’d told me many times that Mama T’s family had stepped up when no one else did, even helping her apply to college where she’d met my father. She said she’d still be living in a shack on the wrong side of town if it weren’t for Mama T and her family. And they’d decided a long time ago that their kids would get married someday and make them a family for real. It had started out as more of besties dreaming of their future, but somewhere along the way, it had become serious. My mom always did whatever Mama T asked of her, and I think she honestly believed the friendship would be over if she didn’t.
And stepping back and looking at the situation, I realize that what Alec and I shared was just a comfort level. A history. The thought of him and Karina being together didn’t make me sick to my stomach the way it should. It made me sad that he’d lied to me and didn’t have the respect to tell me that maybe we’d outgrown one another. We didn’t have the passion that a young couple should have for one another. And it hurt. I’d lost my best friend. But I knew in my gut that I hadn’t lost the love of my life—because I hadn’t found him yet. And shame on my mother for not expecting me to be treated with more respect and love.
“Adelaide Charlotte,” Mama said, pushing to her feet and coming over to reach for my hand. “Your happiness means everything to me. I thought Alec made you happy.”
“Maybe he did for a while. But clearly, we had issues, or this wouldn’t have happened. And I’m not devastated or broken. I’m—”
“Angry? Appalled? Disgusted?” Clem asked from across the table and my father covered his mouth with his hand to keep his laughter at bay.
“Sure. But mostly, I’m hopeful. Maybe even a little relieved. That’s not how I should feel after my boyfriend of over three years cheated on me, right?”