Page 28 of Daddy to Go
“So, Melody mentioned you’re going out of town this weekend,” she said nonchalantly.
That bitch.I threw on the best irritated impression I could give.
“Oh yeah. I was going to tell you about that.”
Belinda shrugged.
“No biggie. She didn’t say where or why, just that you had mentioned it in passing.”
Ok, only half a bitch.
“Yeah,” I replied uncaringly. “The call center has organized some sort of group training. They thought it would be best if we started working better as a team or some crap like that. And there’s some job training we have to do too.”
Belinda nodded, with not a hint of suspicion in her tired eyes.
“Ok. I’ve been to several team-building off-sites too. Actually, if you force yourself to interact, you can have a pretty good time. Where will you be staying?”
I clicked my tongue. “Some corporate hotel. I don’t remember the name of it. It was one of the usual big ones.”
My mother squinted, and I could tell I needed to give her a bit better detail then what I was. I wasn’t usually vague with her. She leaned back crossing her arms. “And what city did you say this training is taking place?”
“I didn’t,” I chirped. “But it’s in downtown Philly.”
She huffed slightly. “I don’t know if your car will get you there. The thing is coughing and hacking on the edge of life. You’ve taken care of her, but we all have our limitations.”
I chuckled. “I won’t be driving. The center organized big tour buses to take us all there. I’ll have a nice relaxing ride in a comfy bus seat with air-conditioning. They took care of everything, actually. I don’t even have to worry about food.”
I was relieved to see my mother’s shoulders lower and relax a bit. She was starting to let the suspicion fade but I had to watch what I said. I rarely ever lied to my mother, but this was one of those things that could easily start a battle. While Melody discouraged me from seeing from Ryder due to her own need to bring everyone down, my mother’s dismay would be based in fear. Fear for my heart and my reputation. Belinda didn’t know him, but I knew from the outside it seemed like a bad situation.
That very familiar worry look started to creep onto her face. I had to act fast.
“It’s going to be really boring, nothing to worry about at all. It’s just a bunch of training sessions, and then dinners with my co-workers. Most of the dinners are right there in the hotel too. I won’t even have to brave downtown Philadelphia. But yes, I will take my mace just in case.”
There was a small sigh of relief.
“Right. Good. I was going to suggest that. Cities can be dangerous. I do have to warn you though, usually these dinners offer alcohol. And when the dinner is over people always like to go out and see wherever they are staying. I don’t mind if you have a drink, but don’t go wild. Getting drunk like that can be a recipe for disaster. You work with these people, but you don’t know them, not really. People worked with Ted Bundy before he was found out.”
I raised an eyebrow and my mother shook her finger at me. “Don’t give me that look Abby, bad things happen to girls who get drunk at corporate events.”
Without thinking I laughed and then straightened my face.
“Mom, you know I don’t drink, unless its wine with you on your birthday. Besides, I’m only twenty, so I can’t even get into a bar.”
Belinda nodded and patted my leg.
“I know you’re a good girl, Abby. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t bad people out there. And no matter what a company says about your free time, you are still under scrutiny. More than one woman has lost her job at a corporate training session because things got out of hand. I just don’t want to see you suffer the same fate. You know they are harder on women than men. A little youthful excitement could ruin everything you’ve been working so hard for, and you don’t deserve that. You deserve a good life.”
I took a deep breath, thankful that I had a mother that loved me that much. She truly cared about my wellbeing. It actually kind of made me feel guilty for lying to her, but the conversation would have been totally different if she knew I was going away with a man. Any man, much less Dr. Ryder Rivington, who was only in town temporarily. That alone would cause her to stroke out, so keeping things to myself was the best option.
“Don’t worry, Mom,” I said. “Everything is going to turn out great, and I’ll be home and safe before you know it. Please tell me that you have tomorrow off from work.”
The change of subject was perfect timing. “I signed up for overtime. But only for four hours Sunday morning. Then I have the rest of the day off to catch up on laundry and cleaning.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Sounds exhilarating.”
She stood up, letting out a deep breath. “It is. It’s a nice break from the hustle of putting food on the table.” She looked down for a minute, and I saw how old she was. But then Belinda looked up again. “Well, I need to get something to eat and make sure your sister isn’t up to no good. You know teenagers.”
Standing I embraced my mother and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled and walked out, leaving me with my guilt and a cookie. I was pretty sure, though, that things would be good with Ryder. I had something that could be really amazing, and I wasn’t going to let anything come in the way of my happiness. I’ve always prioritized everyone else, and it was time I started looking out for myself.