Page 109 of January
Kyle grew angry and said, “You leave Jolie alone.”
“She’s my daughter, and at leastsheloves me.”
“You don’t know what love is,” Kyle stated. “How you treat us isn’t love. And Jolie has a good life. Stop playing your mind games, and let us both be.”
“I want something, Kyle. Call it pain and suffering, but I need something for my troubles. Just give me something here.”
“If you want to sue me, go for it, Mom. You won’t win, and I’m not giving you money that you’ll just throw away. Grandma could’ve left you something, but she didn’t. I’m respecting her wishes.”
“Fine. Fuck you,” her mother snapped. “I’ll get my own attorney.”
“You do that,” Kyle replied.
Then, she heard a voice she recognized, so she looked over her mom’s shoulder. Melinda was leading a tour of the district, and Kyle didn’t know what to do. She hoped Melinda would stay in tour-guide mode and would walk right by them, pretending that she didn’t know Kyle at all because she didn’t want Melinda to ever meet her mother, but especially not right now.
“Hey,” Melinda said as she smiled wide at Kyle.
“Hi,” she replied and gave her a short wave as she’d do to a stranger who was being polite and saying hello as they passed by.
Melinda looked at her, confused, and then glanced at Kyle’s mother before she asked her group, “Can you all just give me one minute?”
‘Fuck,’Kyle thought to herself.
“Is this Myra?” Melinda asked.
“What?” Kyle said.
“The contractor. Hi. I’m Melinda,” Melinda introduced herself and held out her hand for Kyle’s mother to shake.
“I don’t care,” the woman replied. “I’m getting a lawyer, Kyle.”
“Oh, shit,” Melinda realized then and leaned in a bit as if scrutinizing Kyle’s mother. “Youdolook alike a little, but it took me a minute. You’re Kyle’s mom.”
“Who the hell areyou?”
“I’m her girlfriend,” Melinda replied.
“Mel, just…”
“Girlfriend? Since when doyouhave a girlfriend?” her mother asked.
“Mom, just go.”
“I’m on a public sidewalk. I can stay here as long as I want.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “And you can do better,” she added to Melinda. “Kyle is selfish.”
“Kyle is the least selfish person I’ve ever met, and no, I can’t do better. You could start trying to act like an actual mother and stop being such a bitch.”
“Excuse me?” Kyle’s mother returned.
“Okay. Mel, your tour.” Kyle pointed to the group of ten people standing only a few feet behind them. “And, Mom, here.” Kyle pulled Mr. Beaufort’s business card out of her pocket. “Have your attorney call mine, if you want, but just go.”
“Fuck both of you, then!” Her mother stated, snatched the card from her hand, and walked in the other direction.
“I’m sorry,” Melinda whispered. “I shouldn’t have.”
“It’s okay. But you’re working.”
“Ky, I’m sorry.”