Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
I made a mental note to finally get a video doorbell monitor. It had to be a neighbor because no one was allowed in the building without a key code. The only other person it could be is Zora. I left my information and how to get into the budling after I left her but I didn’t expect to hear from her so soon.
Knowing her how stubborn she is, I’m certain it will take her a few days to face the inevitable.
Whoever it is, I have no desire for company and maybe they will get tired and go away. But my mysterious visitor continued to ring the bell.
With a frustrated grunt, I stalk toward the door and open it.
I freeze when I see my visitor. I knew our paths would eventually cross when I came back to Champion, but I didn’t want that time to be now.
“Are you going to invite me in or are you going to allow your own mother to stand in the hallway like an unwanted solicitor.”
My mother is only five feet tall but in the six-inch heels she wears with inexplicable ease makes her seem larger than life. As usual there is not a hair out of place on that head that casually cascades to her shoulder. Her make up is flawless and her green silk dress I assume isn’t from off the rack, screams casual luxury.
There has never been a time when I’ve seen her as anything other than immaculate. And she happens to be the most terrifying person I know.
“You’re an uninvited guest. Why should I let you in?”
She narrows her eyes. “Do you think you’re some big shot because of that little startup you run?”
My company is on the verge of going public and it’s on course to make billions but my mother always has a way of diminishing my accomplishments. For as long as I can remember, I have done everything I could to be a good son and live up to her impossible standards, but nothing is ever good enough for this woman.
It's only when I stopped trying did, she pretends to care and even then It was her way of manipulating me to get what she wanted.
“Mother, is there a point to your surprise visit?”
“Jackson, I raised you better than this but seeing as you’re being a jackass, I’ll just invite myself in.” She pushes past me with little resistance from me because I released she wouldn’t go away otherwise.
She wanted something from me and she is like a dog with its favorite chew toy when she sets her mind on getting something she wants.
She walks into my condo with an exaggerated sneer as if she smells something particularly awful.
“I opposed these condos being built in Champion because I thought they’d be an eye sore but I suppose they suit their purpose. I didn’t think I’d ever have to step foot in one of them. They’re much smaller on the inside than I expected. I could never live here.” She shudders as if this was a fate worse than death.
“Lucky for you there’s Champion Manor for you to play Queen on the Hill.”
“Champion Manor is your birthright, not this, hole in the wall.”
“If you came here to argue about my living conditions, you can leave.”
“I don’t know what I ever did to make you so hostile toward me.”
“Even if I did have the time to rattle all the reasons off, you wouldn’t listen so I’ll spare us both.”
“I’m hosting an event next month and I’d like for you to attend. Perhaps your little company could be one of my sponsors.”
Of course, she came to visit because she wanted something and not out of concern for her only child.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be busy then. As for getting my company to sponsor anything you’re involved in, forget it.”
“It’s for charity and I’m sure it would be a tax write off. Besides, that little friend of yours from high school will be there. She’s been asking about you. Taylor or was it Tina?”
“You mean Teagan?” Another person I had no desire to see again.
“Yes, she’s a lovely girl, it’s too bad she’s gained so much weight but I’m sure if she pushed away from the table more often she could lose it. Anyway, I expect you to be there, Jackson, this isn’t up for debate.”
And just like that I’m transported back to a time when I lived under her thumb. My mother wasn’t simply a helicopter parent she was the helicopter parent. She told me to dress, who I could be friends with, which activities I could participate in. She even instructed me how to comb my hair.
Whenever I would step out of line she found a way to make me cave in by whatever means necessary. When I was a child, she bought me a puppy. Most people would see it as a generous offer but she used that door to torture me. If I didn’t eat my vegetables, she’d threaten to put it down. If I didn’t act in a way she thought was appropriate at one of her many events she’d threaten to put it down.