She sounds upset, really upset. And based on the way Stella is screaming back at her, I’d venture to say she’s not very happy either. Then again, when has Stella Harris ever really been happy?
Throwing my legs over the side of the lounge chair, I push myself upright, wobbling slightly before finding my balance. Fuck, I might be drunker than I had realized.
Making my way to the privacy fence that separates my backyard from Poppy’s, I peer through the wood planks, not able to see a damn thing from where I’m standing. I’m about to go back to my chair when the porch light flips on and Poppy comes storming out onto the back deck, entering my line of sight.
Even from here I can tell she’s been crying, and for some reason the thought is like a punch to the gut. We may not be friends anymore, but that doesn’t change the fact that she was my closest friend through most of my childhood.
I still don’t really remember what happened between us. One day we were friends, and the next it felt like she was avoiding me. I lashed out, said some pretty fucked up shit to her one day in the hallway. I guess you could say that kind of solidified the end of our friendship.
I watch as she leans forward, pressing her palms just above her knees as she works to calm herself. I’m tempted to say something, to let her know I’m here, but when Stella steps outside behind her daughter, I lock my jaw shut.
“You know, it wouldn’t hurt you to show me a little respect. I am your mother.” She crosses her arms in front of herself.
I watch Poppy straighten and slowly turn toward Stella.
“You sure as hell don’t act like a mother so why should I respect you like one?”
“You best watch your tone, young lady.”
“Or what? You’ll disappear every night? Leave me here by myself day in and day out? Show me what life would be like without you?” Sarcasm drips from every word.
“I gave up my entire life for you.” Stella jabs a finger toward Poppy.
“Yes, I know. Because you tell me so every single day.”
“You act like your life is so bad.”
“I never said my life was bad. But what do you want from me, Stella?” I don’t miss the way her mom flinches. “Do you expect me to be grateful that I’ve pretty much had to raise myself?”
“Now you’re being dramatic.”
“Am I?” Poppy throws her hands up. “You’re never here. You’ve never been here. And then you want to come at me and question my life choices.”
“I’m just saying, a weeklong trip with no parental supervision...”
“Will be like every other day of my normal life,” Poppy interrupts. “Don’t act like you care all of a sudden. We both know you don’t. You’re just worried about money. Well, don’t be. Dad already paid for my part of the trip. He did so weeks ago.”
“You went to your father?” Stella’s lips purse like she ate something sour.
“Well, you weren’t around for me to ask. Besides, when I told him about it, he offered.”
“This isn’t about the money. When I was your age...”
“Yes I know, Mom.” Poppy groans in frustration. “You got pregnant. I’ve heard the story a million times. But newsflash... I’m not you. Or have you not figured that out yet?”
“You don’t have to be like me to get pregnant.”
“No, but you do have to have sex.”
I stumble back a step, wondering if I heard that right.
“Oh don’t act all innocent with me. I’m not stupid.”
“Well apparently you are, because I have never had sex, Mom. Truthfully, I’ve been too afraid to. Too afraid to repeat your bad choices. Too afraid that history was meant to repeat itself and then I’d never escape you. So, if you’ve done one thing right, you’ve taught me not to turn myself into another cliché.”
Poppy Harris is a... virgin?
I’m so taken aback by this news that I miss the next thing she says.
I knew she didn’t date a lot and that she’s pretty selective about who she lets take her out, but I never realized she was still a virgin. In fact, I can’t wrap my head around it even after hearing her say it out loud. A girl who looks like that, having never been touched...
My groin instantly stiffens.
Fuck...
“Even still, I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I refocus just in time to hear Stella say.
“Well, I’m eighteen and the trip has already been paid for, so I’d like to see you try to stop me.”
“I’ll take your car,” Stella threatens.
“You can’t. It’s my car, in my name, that my father bought me.”
“You live under my roof. You live by my rules.”
“What rules? You realize the only time you swoop in and try to act like a mother is when there’s something coming up that I really want to do. It’s like you can sense my excitement and you can’t wait to squash it. Do you hate me that much? That you have to punish me for getting to do things that you never did?”
“I don’t hate you.”
“No, you just resent me.”
“Poppy.”
“You know what, just go. I’m sure Dan or Joe or whatever the hell his name is tonight is growing impatient out front.” Her hands go to her hips. “Oh, did you think I missed the dress or the way you smell like you bathed in perfume?” She chokes out a laugh.
“Keep it up and you’ll find yourself in need of somewhere to live.” Stella waves a finger in Poppy’s face.
“Yeah, like you would kick me out. If you did, who would clean or do the laundry or I don’t know, go to the grocery store every once in a damn while?”
“I work. I pay for all of this.” Stella gestures around herself.
“Correction, Dad pays for all of this. But good job trying to take the credit for how we live. Maybe it’s you that might need to find somewhere else to live. I am eighteen after all. My child support is gone when I graduate. Then Dad will finally be free of you. I can’t wait to see what happens when that day comes.”
At that moment, someone lays on a car horn, the sound causing me to jump slightly.
“He’s growing impatient,” Poppy taunts.
I watch Stella, indecision on her face.
“When you get pregnant and ruin your life, don’t come crying to me.”
“Pretty sure I’m not as stupid as you are, but thanks for trying to group us in the same category.”
With that, Stella spins on her high heels and stomps back inside, slamming the door behind her.
Poppy turns out toward the backyard, her fists balled at her sides. Just a few moments ago she seemed so strong, so sure of herself. But now? Now she looks more like a terrified little girl. I watch her sink to her knees, dropping her face into her hands. Moments later, her soft sobs fill my ears.
I slowly start to back away, feeling like I’m intruding on something a lot more personal now. Unfortunately, my inebriation has me misjudging my steps and before I realize what’s happened, my foot catches on the side of one of the lounge chairs, and I go tumbling backward, hitting the water with a loud splash.
CHAPTER FOUR