Page 14 of Not So Fast
“Fine. Good,” Mia said, feeling anything but either of those things. She opened the menu and perused it. As soon as the server arrived, she and her mom ordered the exact same thing—Cobb salad, no egg, extra blue cheese—then they were once again plunged into silence.
“Mom. Can we clear the air about the podcast? I hate this tension between us.”
“Until you use your gifts for something meaningful, I’m going to have a hard time with it. It’s as simple as that.”
“Isn’t creating something on my own a meaningful pursuit? Something that requires me to have a multitude of skills? Because that’s what this is.”
Her mom straightened her knife and fork on the table, avoiding eye contact. “I think what’s bothering me most is that you’re so wrapped up in this sport.”
“But I’ve always loved Formula One. That’s nothing new.”
“I never should’ve let my sister expose you to it.”
Mia now saw the current conflict with her mom in a whole new light. “Is this about me or is this about your beef with Aunt Judy?”
“Beef? You make it sound like we’re mobsters. My sister and I are estranged and have been for years. That’s nothing new. It’s just that your podcast doesn’t help. Let’s put it that way.”
“What happened between you two? Because you weren’t always like this. When I was little, you were close. I don’t get why it changed. She only lives about an hour away. You two should be spending time together.”
Their lunch arrived, which put a momentary pause on the conversation.
“That’s your opinion,” her mom said. “My sister and I have gone separate ways in our lives. You don’t have to be close to every person you’re related to.”
“Why won’t you tell me what happened?”
“She wasn’t there for me when I needed her. That’s all you need to know.”
“Can you elaborate?”
“No. It’s too painful.” She stabbed her salad.
Mia sighed, willing herself not to explode with frustration. “Well, the Formula One genie is out of the bottle. There’s no shoving that back inside.”
“Honey, you’re so intelligent. You were always the smartest kid in school. You breezed through tests like it was nothing, graduated two years early. You could be doing so much more than following a sport that is just a bunch of men driving cars in circles.”
Mia took several deep breaths to remain calm. Digging her nails into her palms helped a little. “It’s so much more than that. Do you honestly think I would devote this much time and effort to something so simple?”
“I also think you’re getting swept up in things like being flown to Miami. Nothing is free in this life. People will want something from you in exchange for things like a trip. Trust me.”
Mia cleared her throat. Was that true of Xander? Would he expect something out of her? “Well, that might be true, but I have to accept the invitations while they’re coming. They could go away at any time.”
“Invitations? Plural?”
“Yes. I’m going to another race. This one is in Italy.”
“You’re going to Italy?” her mom screeched, loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear.
“Mom. Please. You make it sound like I just told you I murdered someone.”
“Well, I, I… I don’t know what to say. This is all very sudden. Jet-setting. That just doesn’t sound like you.”
“I’m notjet-setting. You make it sound like I’m a Kardashian. And I just got the invitation yesterday. After the race in Miami. I’ve accepted. I would hope you would be happy for me. It’s exciting.”
“People get murdered in Italy. And abducted.”
“They also eat pasta, are surrounded by some of the world’s most important art and make a hell of a pizza. Or so I’m told.”
“Is your passport still current?”
