1
Hope
New York City. Feels strange to be back again. I’ve missed the big city, but I love my home in Arizona more, even if I did grow up in a luxury condo in Soho. The view is amazing from my old bedroom. The walls are nothing but windows, and I can see the Hudson River, dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. One thing I always loved about New York were the parades. I gave it all up to move out west to work for the University of Arizona, much to the dismay of my parents. No more posh lifestyles for me. I adore my apartment and the private cactus garden and fountain in the middle of the courtyard. It’s like my own personal heaven. Quiet. Peaceful. Not the hustle and bustle of New York.
“Hope, you okay in there?” my mom shouts. “Haven’t seen you all morning.”
Rolling my eyes, I type away on my laptop. “I’m fine, Mom. Just trying to get some work done before this afternoon.”
Of all the times for my cousin to get married, she had to pick the busiest time of the year for me. Then again, it’s not her fault I’m so crammed with work. It wouldn’t be so bad if I wasn’t one of her bridesmaids. I’m happy for her though. I just have to suck it up for a couple of days and then I can get back to Arizona.
My bedroom door opens and my mother walks in, already dressed in her black Gucci pantsuit for tonight. Her platinum blonde hair is pulled high in an updo and her makeup is perfect like always. With all the family in town for my cousin Hallie’s wedding, all of my aunts and uncles are going out on the town while all the kids go out for the bachelor and bachelorette parties. She always feels the need to make sure she looks extra good when family is in town. They all like to impress each other with everything they’ve accomplished in life. I love my mother to death, but all she managed to do in life was snag a wealthy husband. My father is a well sought-after lawyer, but he worked his ass off for the money he earned. Hence, why he is still at the firm. I got my work ethic from him.
My mother comes over to my desk and picks up the framed picture I have of me and Hallie. We grew up together and are the same age. There was a time when she was my best friend, but when I moved away, things changed. She met her fiancé here in New York and I had my life in Arizona. We kept in touch every now and again until life got in the way.
“I remember this picture. It was right before graduation.” She sets the photo down and I glance over at it. Hallie and I look so much alike it’s crazy. Most people thought we were twins. We both have long, blonde hair, green eyes, and stand at five feet seven inches. The only difference is she has perfectly straight hair and mine has a natural wave.
“So much has changed since then,” I say, my voice low. I didn’t realize I said it out loud until I hear my mother snort.
“It has. All of your friends are married or engaged right now.”
Here we go. I’ve only been home for one day and she’s already started on the “when are you going to get married and have kids” rant. I focus back on my laptop. “Why are you so adamant that I get married? All that should matter is that I’m happy, right?” Sighing, she sits down on my bed and I swivel around in my desk chair to face her. “I chose a career, Mom. Most parents would be thrilled about that.”
“I am,” she says, patting my hands. “It’s just all of my friends are having grandbabies and I really want to be a grandmother before I get old and gray.”
Pursing my lips, I stare at her as if she’s lost her mind. “You look like you’re thirty, Mom. You’ll be ninety years old before you actually look old and gray. I have plenty of time.”
She shrugs and looks over at the outfit I’m supposed to wear tonight for the bachelorette party. It consists of a white bridesmaid T-shirt, green beads to wear around my neck, a green tutu to wear over my green and white shamrock tights, green tennis shoes, and a green glitter purse. Hallie definitely went all out. The tutu is kind of cute.
“Hallie dropped all of that off last night,” my mom says, looking at the clothes with disgust. “A little tacky if you ask me.”
That makes me smile. “It’s Hallie, Mom. She’s always been quirky and fun. I wouldn’t expect anything less from her.”