Shattered Ice

Telling mom

*Virginia*

The evening air feels electric as I step outside on my small porch, watching the Sun dissapear into the ocean.

The sounds of laughter and celebration from the charity tournament are still swirling in my mind. It was a huge success, and I should be riding high on that wave of excitement. Instead, I’m plagued with anxiety. I pull my phone from my pocket, my heart racing as I dial my mom’s number.

“Virginia, darling!” she answers, her voice dripping with that familiar Southern charm, yet I hear the underlying expectation. “I did not expect to hear from you this soon.”

“Hi, Mom,” I say, trying to sound cheerful despite the knot in my stomach. “I wanted to talk to you about my plus-one for Caylee’s wedding. I am gonna need it.”

She sighs. “Sweetheart, you do not need to drag along some friend just to feel important, it is okay to come alone.”

“He is not a friend,” to be honest my plan had been to introduce Caleb as my friend, but mom just ruined that by rubbing me the wrong way. “He is my boyfriend, I just… I had to make sure he was ready to meet my family.”

“Oh, splendid! I do hope he is someone respectable. You know how important this is for our family,” she says, her tone a mix of excitement and condescension that my mom is a master of.

“Well, he is dating me, not my family,” I say, steeling myself. “His name is Caleb Mackinnon.”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line. “Mackinnon? I am not familiar with the Mackinnons.”

“He’s canadian mom,” I reply, my heart racing. “He plays for the team.”

Her disbelief is palpable. “A hockey player? Virginia, are you serious? You can’t be thinking of bringing him to a family wedding!”

“Why not?” I counter, feeling frustration bubbling within me. “He’s great, and I want him there.”

“Sweetheart, I just think you should reconsider. I was hoping you’d bring someone from your circle, perhaps someone I could introduce to the family,” she insists, her tone shifting to that all-too-familiar note of persuasion.

“Mom, I don’t want to bring anyone else. I like Caleb. He makes me happy,” I say, my voice rising. “I’m tired of pretending to fit into your mold.”

“Virginia, you must understand how these events work. Image is everything,” she replies, her voice now laced with concern. “I don’t want people to think you’re settling.”

“Settling? You don’t even know him!” I snap, my cheeks flushing with anger. “He’s not some random guy; he’s someone I care about. I won’t bring someone just to meet your expectations.”

“Dear, I just want what’s best for you,” she says, her tone softening slightly. “People might think you do not have a choice, that he got you in trouble… he did not, did he, because...”

“No mom, I am not pregnant,” I reply, rolling my eyes. “You want me to wear a badge at the wedding saying ‘No, he did not knock me up’?”

“Virginia…” she starts, but I cut her off, my heart racing.

“I have to go, Mom. I’ll see you at the wedding.” I hang up before she can respond, my chest tight with a mix of anger and relief… at leastnit is over and done.

I take a moment to breathe, staring at the sky now painted with hues of pink and orange as the sun sets. It feels freeing to stand my ground, even if it means facing her judgment. Caleb’s words echo in my mind… about being included, about wanting to matter.

I pull out my phone again, fingers trembling with excitement. ‘Hey, I told my mom I’m bringing you to Caylee’s wedding. No backing out! Also sorry but my family might believe we are dating… sorry.’

Almost instantly, my phone buzzes with his reply. ‘Are you serious? Can’t wait to meet the family. I can be the perfect pretend boyfriend. Just tell me if I need to wear a tux or if a suit will do.’

I laugh, shaking my head at his playful confidence. ‘Definitely a suit. A nice one, you have to charm my mother, after all.’

‘Challenge accepted. Just a heads up, I might need a few pointers on how not to embarrass you.’

I smile, warmth blooming in my chest. This could either be an epic disaster or the most fun I’ve had in ages. But for the first time in what feels like forever, I’m taking control of my own narrative. The thought of showing up with Caleb, of facing my family while standing firmly in my own choices, sends a thrill through me.

I take a deep breath, feeling lighter as I head back inside my cosy little house. For once I am happy about my family being conservative, no one will expect me to share a room with Caleb, or to show public affection, so I am sure we can pull it off.