Page 4 of The Holiday Exchange
“Hi Mom, it’s me.”
“Kayla, I was just telling your father this morning that I hadn’t heard from you in a long time.”
I grimace, biting my tongue against the retort that her phone is capable of outgoing calls, not just incoming. “Sorry, I’ve been pretty busy with work and everything. How are you? How’s Dad?”
“We’re both fine. Dad’s not here right now, he’s out golfing again.”
I register the note of resentment in her voice as I shift my car into drive. She’s been after my dad to spend more time with her for almost as long as I can remember. I think she believed retirement would force him to be home more, but it turns out he’s something of a social butterfly now.
“Why don’t you go with him sometime? I know he’s offered to teach you to golf.”
“Pssh. I don’t want to go walk all over creation following a little white ball.”
I don’t know what to say to this, so I grasp around for a new subject as I merge into traffic. “How are Renee and Brent?”
“They’re great. Renee calls me every day with updates on the baby. She says everything still looks really good and healthy.”
My older sister is eight months pregnant and Mom is very much looking forward to her first grandchild. I decide not to question the dubious assertion that Renee is providing daily updates. Poking holes into this guilt trip will only make it worse.
“That’s great. Are they sticking to their guns about not finding out the gender?”
“Yes.” Mom heaves a longsuffering sigh. “You’d think people would take advantage of the miracles of technology available to them.”
I should have known better than to broach the subject. She desperately wants to know so that she can buy pink or bluemonogrammed hats and bibs well in advance. And she hasn’t exactly been quiet about her opinion.
“Well, you don’t have much longer to wait now.”
“Thank goodness. How’s work going?”
“Good. I volunteered to direct the school Christmas program.”
“Oh Kayla, that’s wonderful. It will be a great opportunity for you to show the administration what a valuable asset you are.”
“Mmhmm. I’m a little nervous, though. I’ve never done something like this before.”
“Oh, you’ll do fine,” she responds dismissively. “It will be the perfect thing to include on your resume when you apply for your next job.”
“I’m sure you’re right.”
“You’ll be principal in no time.”
“Thanks, Mom. Listen, I need to go.” I pull into an open parking spot. “I just got to the grocery store and I need to get a few things.”
“Alright, hon, I’ll talk to you later.”
We disconnect and I sit for a minute, taking a few deep breaths before I grab a cart and plunge into the horde of weekend shoppers.
I don’t know why that conversation irked me. It’s no secret that no one has higher ambitions for me than my mother. She was disappointed when I told her I planned to get a teaching degree and teach elementary school rather than becoming a doctor, lawyer, or CEO. Eventually, she grudgingly accepted my choice, but she’s insistent that I climb the education ladder as high as it will go. I’m surprised she didn’t bring up her desire for me to go on to graduate school and get my master’s in education.
The thing is, I like teaching. I might want to be a principal one day, but I don’t think I’ll be ready for that for a long time. Inthe meantime, I’d like to gain experience while enjoying my students.
I shake my head. I won’t let one conversation derail my attitude today. I smile at myself in the rearview mirror and open the door. I have lots to do today before book club at six o’clock.
4
TREVOR
My phone buzzes where it sits on my kitchen counter and I snatch it up expectantly, disappointed to see it’s just my gym buddy Grant. I sent Kayla a text to check her availability to meet when I got off work at six o’clock as I said I would. Despite diligent checking over the last two hours, I still have not received a response.