Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

"I really am proud of you, Kay. You're such a talented young woman. I wish you could be here," she says.

"I could be there."

"I know, baby. But then you wouldn't be at school. And I didn't want that weight on your conscious. Grandma either. We don't want you to feel guilty for choosing school over family. We don't want you to give up your life."

Something flutters in my chest. Not quite warmth or forgiveness but something close to it.

Mom didn't want guilt on my shoulders.

That's why she didn't give me a choice.

It doesn't excuse everyone treating me like a child.

It doesn't do shit about the realities of the situation.

But it does lessen the sting.

Just enough to make it bearable.

"I love you," she says.

"I love you too."

"I'll grab Nana."

"Okay." I press my fingers into the back of my cell. The anger in my gut fades to a dull ache. This is a shitty situation and Mom is making the best of it. Or trying to.

"Kay-bear." Grandma's voice fills the speakers. "Tell me the truth about your classes. One of them was boring." Her voice is rich. Light. Full of life. Like she has decades.

"No. Latin was tough. I'm rusty."

Grandma scoffs. "It's a dead language."

"I know."

"Pointless."

"Like life?"

Grandma laughs. "You know me to well, Kay-Bear." Her voice drops to something sincere. "You doing okay staying with that hot friend of yours?"

"Brendon?"

"Hmm."

"Huh?"

"Your voice changed. Something's wrong. Don't tell me it's school."

"No. It's good. Really."

"Work?"

"No. Jake gave me the schedule I requested. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night. Closing shifts."

"No wonder you're cranky. Who wants to work all weekend?"

"People who want money."