No, not something. Their mother. She Uses one to control the other. I guess I found my first question. "Why do you let your mother control your life so much?"Lee's response was simple. "She's my mother.""But you're a grown adult.""You've met my mother. There's not much you can say against her. She's cruel, but she is caring. Even if she doesn't show it.""Is she the one who sent you away?"He nodded."Where did you go?" I asked slowly, unsure if my question crossed the line or not."An inpatient rehabilitation center in California. I've been there ever since the accident."I tried my best to swallow inaudibly."Your accident?"He tilted his head to the side and grimaced. "Well, I'm sure you know. An intended accident. I barely remember it, to be honest. I know I purposely wrecked the car, but after that, I don't know. I had a pretty bad concussion so they said there would be some memory loss. I was in the hospital and then shipped across the country to recuperate. And I haven't bee
Georgia's Pov"Be there at six o' clock sharp, no later. I've already ordered the flowers, as you apparently couldn't handle that task last time, so you simply have to pick them up. Be polite and courteous. Next week I want to set up dinner with Cecil and his wife, so you better leave a good impression. Carlo picked the restaurant so let him suggest what the best meal is and take his advice."It was hard to focus on my mother's words as I stood in front of my bathroom sink, trying to keep my stomach from twisting and crling and its contents from coming out. My mouth was dry and tasted like old leather, no matter how much water I sucked down. And then there was the headache. I didn't know how I was handling her shrill voice when it felt like Muhammad Ali was having a boxing match with my brain. I couldn't remember the last time I had a hangover this bad.I never wanted to drink again."Are you listening?""Yes.""Why do you sound like that? Did you go drinking?"How did she know these
Georgia"Georgia, it's time for you to settle down with someone."I glanced up from where I was resting on my VIG Chesterfield sofa, mid-shift to keep from indenting the material, as I'd trained myself to do. At the foot of it stood my mother, who was giving me such a deep disapproving look that I almost, almost made a move to sit up properly. Her expression was the definition of disappointment. Slim nose upturned, devil red lips twitching. I already knew where this conversation was heading and I let my cheek fall onto the cool leather with a sigh."This again?" I said."You're almost thirty, Georgia," she said, folding her arms across her chest, the many bracelets lined with diamonds on her arms jingling as she moved.Her dark hair was tied in a tight bun on the top of her head, giving her an all-around stern aura.I raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm only twenty-five. I don't really think that's close to thirty.""Your father and I married when we were twenty-two," she said matter-of-fa
Wilson"Willy, table four has been waiting over two minutes for someone to come and take their drink order," Collin, the manager on shift, said as he walked by me, heading toward thehostess stand.I blinked at him, trying to ignore the fact he got my name wrong for the thousandth time while wondering if he noticed my arms filled with plates of food for a different table. When he glanced over his shoulder and frowned at me, I gave him the fakest smile Icould produce. "I'll be right over.""Good."Rolling my eyes, I hurried back to table number seven. I hated table number seven. I didn't know if I was just my luck, or maybe the table was cursed, but whoever sat there ended up always being the rudest and crudest and most condescending people on the Earth.This time around it was a bunch of businesswoman in sleek suits that tried to leer down my shirt every time I leaned over to clear a plate or glass."Chicken Cordon Bleu," I announced as I set down one of the plates in front of a bunc
Wilson"Maybe I'll forgive you if you give me a kiss," she joked, causing all of her douchey colleagues to laugh along with her.For the tips, for the tips, for the tips, I chanted in my head. "Maybe when I get out," I flirted.Her eyes flicked up and down my body and I felt my skin crawl. Ew, just ew. "Anyone else need anything?" I inquired.One of the other ladies muttered something I probably didn't want to hear under her breath. I decided to take their silence as a no, so I flashed them a quick smile and hurried away. Tables two and eight needed to be wiped down still and I didn't see either oneof the two busboys on shift around to clean it.Just as I turned to head into the back Collin appeared in front of me, scaring me a bit."Geez, warn a man when you're approaching like a ninja.""Please wipe down tables two and eight" he requested, pulling at his necktie. "They've been dirty for the past fifteen minutes.""I'm way ahead of you," I said, letting a little irritation bleed int
On my way back to the table a hand shot out and grabbed my arm. I jumped a little bit, relaxing when I realized it was just Georgia."Gotta pee," she stated.I pointed to the far left corner of the restaurant. "Over there."Using me as a support and almost taking me down, she pulled herself up and then stumbled to the bathrooms, muttering something about marriages. I glanced at Solene, who shrugged at me.I returned the card to Star Spangled Lady and she filled in the tip and signed the receipt, handing the notebook back to me. It was hard to resist the urge to see how much she tipped, but I managed to slide it into my back pocket. "Thank you very much, have a good night you guys. Get home safe."As I turned to walk away, I felt a heavy arm across my shoulders. "You said yer comin' home with me."I saw the spangled ribbon and felt my stomach churn. "Please don't touch me.""I know you like me. You were eyeing me all night. Lucky you, little blonde guys like you are my favorite."I tri
Georgia"The plans for the hotel in Wailea, Hawaii have gone accordingly. Both our construction team and the town mayor have approved the blueprints. I have the estimated budget here and if you approve, you may sign and we could start the construction by next week."I looked up from my phone to see a few nervous pairs of eyes blinking at me. I turned to my wild-haired assistant, Henry, who had the same apprehensive expression on his face.I'd forgotten I was in the middle of a meeting. I had no idea what we weretalking about. I cleared my throat. "If my mother agrees to it, let's go along with it.""Uh, Georgia, your mother said for you to oversee this," Henry whispered to me. "If we go to her she will scold us.."I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Were they still talking about the building of the hotel resort in Wailea? Or had we moved on to something else? I couldn't concentrate today.It was all that guy Wilson's fault. It'd been one week and he had yet to call me. Every few secon
Wilson"Hey, does the last name Calloway ring any bells for you?" I asked Arian, exactly one week after the whole restaurant fiasco. We were currently at my other part-time job, a coffee shopbaptly named Coffee House. Arian was, decidedly, my best friend. He may have filled that role solely because I didn't have any other friends and we worked together a good portion of the week, but I was more than content with him. He was cute and friendly and an all-around good guy. The type of person everyone needed in his or her life."If I answer that will you fishtail my hair for me?" he responded, pointing at his dark hair tied up in a messy bun on the top of her head. "I was already late for work and couldn't really do anything with it.""Fine, fine, sit down."Arian cheerfully took a seat on one of the stools lining the countertop. Fortunately, the coffee shop was pretty dead, as it usually was in the afternoon, so I had plenty of time to fix her hair up. "I'm actually worried that you don