FORTY

"I can't believe you're going out with that lad again," Mom said as I arranged my artwork in a way that would allow me to transport it easily.

"I'm not going out with him," I said flatly. "He said I could sell my art at the tattoo shop where he works, so I'm going to do that."

"He's just simply attempting to get a hold of you."

"Well, if he sells all of this art, I think it's a pretty good ploy."

"Honey, he works in a tattoo parlor. He's not much of a catch."

I rolled my eyes and decided not to respond to her any longer. Dad sat on the couch, staring at us as we argued.

"Why don't you start leaving her alone, Maureen?" "Dad explained. "She's an adult now, and she's free to do whatever she wants."

Mom turned to make an argument with him, and I took advantage of the distraction to sneak out of the house unnoticed. Dad nodded as he began to argue more vehemently to keep Mom interested in nag