Page 79 of Real Forever
“What was so important you had to take an entire morning off work? Especially when we are at such a critical juncture.”
Jake sighed and pressed his middle fingertip to the center of his forehead. “Mom, do you care if I’m happy?”
“Pardon me?”
“Do you care if I’m happy?”
“What kind of question is that, Jake? What is going on there today?”
“Why don’t you care if I’m happy?”
“Oh, stop it. You’re being dramatic and absurd. Of course I care if you are happy.”
“Really? I find that difficult to believe because you never ask if I’m happy. You never ask about the things you know make me happy.”
Adeline let out an exaggerated scoff. “You expect me to call and ask a grown man if he had fun riding his bike today?”
“See? Like that. You belittle me. You make me feel small and stupid.”
“All right, I do not know what has gotten into you today, but I’ve had quite enough. Your father and I have made sacrifice after sacrifice for you. How dare you sit there and pout like a sullen little child?”
How did I not hear this before? She’s been talking to me like this my whole life. How did I not realize this sooner?
Jake smiled and replied with calm and confidence. “You know what Mom? Fuck you.”
“Pardon me?”
“You heard me. Fuck you. I am done listening to your narcissistic bullshit. You’ve got Dad beaten down into a silent slump and I won’t let you do the same to me anymore. I am the one who studied my ass off to get through school—not you. I am the one who works day in and day out to make my business a success—not you. And I’m the one losing the love of my life for an expansion I don’t even want. I’m done. I will no longer be discussing my business or my love life with you. At all.”
“Well. Someone seems to think highly of himself all of a sudden,” Adeline seethed.
“Yeah, I do, Mom. And I think I’ve deserved it. Most parents would be happy to see their child confident and successful. You should do some thinking about why it makes you so upset. If you decide you want a son instead of a puppet, please call me. I love you and I love Dad, and I’d love to come out and see you guys if you can respect those boundaries.”
Jake waited for a reply, but Adeline was silent. “Okay. Well, I have to go, Mom. I have things to do. Send Dad my love.”
Jake hung up the phone and set it down on his desk. He leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. Then he pumped both fists in the air.
“Goddamn that felt good.” Jake paced his office floor, laughing to himself. He couldn’t believe how easy it had been and how much lighter he felt now that the words were out.
He sat down at his desk, opened a new email, and typed furiously for a couple of moments before hitting send and smiling. Almost immediately, his phone buzzed.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Jake?”
“Hi Frank, how are you?”
“I got your email here on my phone. Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I’m very serious. Do you think you can get it done?”
“I can get it done. This kind of turn around though. You know you’re going to take a loss on this, right? Even considering the good price you got it for.”
“I know.” Jake was unbothered. “Just get me the best price you can.”
“Okay, Jake. You got it. It’ll be quick to list because I still have all the info and photos on hand. You should see it up online tomorrow.”
“Awesome. I appreciate it.”
