Chapter 2 #3
Kara wondered if she realized that she had failed as a mother.
She supposed not. Being an only child, she had to endure the frequent criticisms and pressures to be the best at everything she did.
The only time she had gone against her mother’s wishes was when she signed up with the DA’s office.
A decision that was still a source of contention between them.
“I spoke to William recently.” They were dining on the terrace of the elegant townhouse—one that her mother had bought some years ago when she decided to sell the home Kara had lived in since she was a child.
Cutting into her veal, she aimed her cool stare at her daughter, before delicately tasting the meat.
With a nod of approval, she continued. “What are the plans for the wedding?”
“You mean he didn’t tell you?” The sarcasm was well aimed and noticed.
“I don’t appreciate your tone.” Kara was surprised she didn’t add ‘young lady’ to the cool statement.
“It seems to me that you’ve been stringing this out long enough.
I’ve told you time and again that you cannot hope to do better than William.
He’s a very nice young man, with an excellent career.
He’s been patient with you, which is more than you deserve. ”
“Why, Mother, I’m beginning to think that you’re more on his side than on mine.” This time the sarcasm was heavy in her tone. Kara wished she had the nerve to just up and leave, but she knew she was going to stay.
Firming her lips, Katherine picked up her wineglass and took an appreciative sip. “Your father spoiled you.”
That surprising statement was so far from the truth that for a moment, all Kara could do was stare. “I’m sorry, what?”
“He was too easy on you.”
Kara blinked at her mother and burst out laughing.
“There’s no need for such raucous behavior at the dinner table,” she was told stiffly.
Making an effort to rein in the mirth, Kara pressed a hand to her stomach.
“I think we’re remembering things differently.
Dad was very hard on me, harder than you ever were.
” Picking up her own glass, she took a sip.
“I wasn’t allowed to do anything. I never had sleepovers, for fear of being corrupted by my friends, which by the way were chosen for me.
I wasn’t allowed to have boyfriends, because I was too young to know what to do with them.
I was lonely, Mother. I spent my time inside my room, reading and studying because I was supposed to be better than all of my peers.
” She shook her head. “So no, I wasn’t ‘spoiled’ as you put it.
I was sheltered and because of that, I’m painfully awkward when it comes to socializing. ”
“We did the best we could for you,” Katherine told her coolly. “You had an excellent childhood and never lacked for anything. While most girls your age were working during the summer holidays, you were on holidays in exotic places.”
“Because of Dad’s deployments,” Kara pointed out. “I would have preferred a normal childhood, but that never happened.”
“Be careful, Kara, you’re starting to sound ungrateful.”
“Am I?” She mused—a smile playing around her lips.
“We wouldn’t want that, would we?” She finished the wine and pushed away the plate, her appetite, not very good to begin with, disappearing altogether.
“I told William that we need to think things through. I have to think things through and decide if I want a life with him. He wants me to stop working as soon as he puts a ring on my finger.” Kara saw the start of surprise on her mother’s face.
“I suppose it’s natural for him to want the complete attention of his wife.”
Kara laughed softly. “You don’t agree but you will not say so. I love what I do and have no intention of giving it up for anyone. You continued working even when you had me. I recall nights when you would come home late. I would be waiting up for you, and you weren’t there.”
Katherine’s face went stiff. “Are you implying that I haven’t been a good mother?”
“No. I’m simply pointing out that it’s hypocritical for you to agree to William’s archaic views of marriage and the home when you think differently.”
“He’s a good man,” she insisted. “How many of them are out there? Especially black men. As a mother, I want what’s best for you.
I know you might not think I have your best interest at heart, but I do.
You’re my only child and I want to see you settle down and start a family.
” She flicked a glance at her daughter. “You’re not getting any younger. ”
“I’m not over the hill yet and I’ve been thinking that I don’t need to settle.” Picking up the snowy white napkin, she dabbed at her lips carefully.
“The meal is not ended.”
“It is for me. I’ll see myself out.”
Even though her heart was racing, Kara made it to the door without her knees buckling. When she got out to her car, she considered it a very big deal that she was shaking and not breaking out in a cold sweat! She had walked out on her mother for the first time in her life.