Mom
Is everything okay, honey?
Mom
Why haven’t you called me back?
Mom
It’s been two days since I left you that voicemail.
Cindy
Sorry, I don’t really listen to my voicemail. Is everything ok?
Mom
I mean, everything’s fine — but I thought you’d be concerned about your mother.
Mom
It’s bad enough you never visit me or make plans with me…
Cindy
Mom! We had lunch on Monday!
Mom
Yeah, but I’m not getting any younger…
Cindy
OMG — please don’t guilt trip me right now, okay?
Cindy
I’m way too swamped at work to deal with this.
Mom
Cindy, you shouldn’t be rude to your mother.
Mom
And please don’t take the lord’s name in vain.
Cindy
Yeah sorry. Look, I’ll see you soon — I really have to go.
Mom
Fine. I’ll just hang out with Alicia then.
Mom
The new neighbor. She’s a really nice lady.
Cindy
That’s nice — I’m glad you have a new friend. Have a good day.
Mom
You know…Alicia’s son visits her every day. And he’s also 30.
Cindy
Well good for Alicia’s son. Does she do his laundry too?
Mom
You know I would do yours!
Cindy
Mommm…it was a joke — I don’t WANT you to do my laundry.
Cindy
And I’m not sure why you’d want to clean my clothes anyway…
Mom
And I like doing things for you.
Cindy
Like letting me work so I can have free time to see you?
Mom
So you’re planning to visit me then? When?
Cindy
It was a hypothetical situation, Mom. I told you I’m really busy at work.
Mom
Well I told you that you work too much. What about building a family?
Cindy
OMG, can we not have this conversation right now?!
Mom
Do not use the lord’s name in vain like that!
Mom
I’m just saying that your ovaries are losing fertility every day.
Cindy
Geez Mom — then I’ll freeze my eggs! Will that give you peace of mind?
Mom
Freeze your eggs? Cindy, that doesn’t seem safe.
Cindy
It’s a medical procedure, Mom, and another joke too.
Mom
Sometimes I feel like you say these things just to get me angry.
Mom
Speaking of anger…have you seen your dad lately?
Cindy
Oh no…what’d he do this time?
Mom
Well apparently he has a new girlfriend. Ellen.
Cindy
Yeah, I heard that too. I haven’t met her though.
Mom
Really? I hear she’s your age.
Mom
Same thing. It’s so embarrassing — the whole neighborhood is gossiping about it.
Mom
Listen to what Alicia told me…
Cindy
Mom, I really have to get back to work…
Mom
Of course. It’s nice to talk to you. I don’t want to take any more of your time.
Mom
I really understand that you have to work.
Mom
As long as you’re not too stressed.
Mom
Are you? Too stressed? Because that causes wrinkles.
Cindy
Thank you for your concern. Bye now!
Mom
Alicia said you looked worried.
Cindy
Okay…once again, what’s up with this Alicia woman?
Cindy
Why does she keep talking to you about me?
Mom
I told you she’s my neighbor. She’s very nice.
Mom
She said you looked worried in your Facebook pictures.
Cindy
Wow, Alicia must be really lonely if she’s checking in on your kids.
Cindy
When did she move into the neighborhood again?
Cindy
That’s a long time! Mom, she’s definitely not new.
Cindy
Is she a good friend?
Mom
Yes, well…we’ve grown close.
Cindy
Anything you want to tell me?
Cindy
Like I said, it’s good you have a close friend.
Cindy
Of course. If you’re happy, then I’m happy.
Mom
Oh, okay. That’s a lovely thing to say, dear.
Mom
Well maybe I’ll introduce her to you next time then.
Mom
And you could meet her son too!
Cindy
Ok, we’ll see about that. This is getting weird.
Mom
Why? Oh, he’s a lovely man!
Cindy
Mom, I’ll say this once — if he’s coming, I’m not coming.
Cindy
Can’t it just be a normal visit?
Mom
Fine! He won’t come this weekend. But you still will, right?
Mom
We’ll be waiting for you.
Cindy
Yeah ok, mom…I have to go, but it was fun chatting with you.
That Saturday, Cindy decides to surprise her mom.
She shows up at her doorstep with a bouquet of flowers in hand…
But when she rings the doorbell, no one answers.
She doesn’t usually leave the house on Saturday.
Cindy rings the doorbell again.
From inside the house, she can hear the sound of rushing footsteps.
When her mom throws open the door, she’s wearing a silk robe. Her hair is a mess.
Mom
Honey! You never confirmed our visit today!
Cindy
Mom, are you wearing…lipstick?
Mom
Oh, yes — the nice woman at Mac said this shade would look good on me.
Cindy
Since when do you shop at Mac?
Cindy
Um, no…I don’t. And maybe next time, that nice woman can help you apply it on your actual lips.
Mom
Cindy! Don’t be rude.
Cindy steps across the threshold.
She keeps her body between Cindy and the rest of the house.
A voice echoes through the house.
Voice
Susan? Who’s there?
Cindy
Mom? You have company over?
A woman appears in the foyer.
She’s also wearing a robe, but her hair has been tidied up.
Mom
Honey, there’s someone you should meet.
Mom
This is…this is Alicia. And she…
Cindy’s mom takes a couple steps toward her daughter.
Her hands are in front of her, as if they’ll cushion the blow she’s about to deliver.
Mom
Well, we’ve been seeing each other — romantically.
Mom
I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while now…
Mom
But I’ve been a little scared.
Mom
This is all so new to me, and I…
Mom
I didn’t know if our little family would accept this—
Cindy
Mom, of course I do — I stand by what I said yesterday.
Cindy
If you’re happy, I’m happy.
Cindy’s mom peers at her daughter.
Mom
Oh, Cindy — thank goodness! I was so worried…
Mom
Because sometimes…well, sometimes you tease me.
Mom
And I didn’t want you to tease me about this. It’s too important.
Cindy clasps her mom’s hand in hers.
Cindy
I shouldn’t tease you like that—
Cindy
I never meant to make you feel like you couldn’t talk to me.
Mom
Shh, honey. I know. It’s okay.
The two embrace. When they pull back, Alicia is beaming at them.
Alicia
See? I told you that you could tell Cindy.
Mom
You were right. But don’t get too used to me saying that!
Alicia
No, no, of course not — everyone here knows how important that is to you.
Alicia gives Cindy a wink and the three women collapse in laughter.
Cindy watches her Mom, bathed in love…
And then she feels her heart rise in her chest. It warms.
