by Ally Sky
“Aren’t you working tomorrow?” I turn to him, appalled by his suggestion.
“No, since Mom is here, I assume I can take a day off.” He looks at me, trying to gauge my reaction. I look at him unhappily.
“That sounds like a great plan!” My mother sounds enthusiastic about Danny’s terrible idea. “Now I’m going to leave you and go to sleep.” She gets up from the table and Danny goes to give her a big hug.
“Good night, see you in the morning.” He smiles warmly at her. He’s happy she’s here. I just hope we’ll manage to get through the weekend without exchanging blows.
My mother comes closer to me and I can feel my body tensing up. She’s planning on hugging me.
“Good night, sweetheart.” She wraps her arms around me—the final act of her amazing show for the evening.
“Good night.” I don’t hug her back and she pulls away from me. She goes down the hallway to my bedroom, which is now the stage for the drama queen. I breathe in relief. Curtain call. Applause.
“What were you thinking?” I hiss at Danny. “Do you think I want to hang out with her all day?”
“Come on, don’t be like that. She’s only here until Sunday, and the evening wasn’t so bad,” he answers quietly.
“We managed to get along for a couple of hours. Big deal,” I answer sarcastically. “And anyway, I’m working tomorrow.”
“I’m sure you can call Sarah tomorrow and explain to her. And if there’s a problem, I’ll talk to Ben.” Danny isn’t pleased with my attempt to get out of his plan.
“Don’t talk to anyone. I’ll go to work and meet you in the evening,” I answer hurriedly.
“You’re impossible,” he grunts, which reminds me once again of my man who thinks the same thing about me.
“I’m going to sleep,” I answer coldly. I turn around to open the door to the basement, not giving him a chance to stop me.
The sofa opens to a double bed, and I don’t care if it’s comfortable or not—it answers my need to be far away from my mother. Therefore, it becomes the best place in the world to be, not including the inviting bed that is only two blocks away.
But I can’t go to him, not tonight. I don’t want to give my mother any opportunity to ask questions.
I open my mobile and go into Facebook, wondering if he’s around. I type a quick message.
Talia Blum: As you’ve probably heard from Danny, Mrs. Nira Blum landed this evening in London, and I can tell you we’ve survived the first evening with no casualties. Danny brought up the horrific idea that we spend the day together tomorrow, but I’m a dedicated employee and I wouldn’t dream of missing one day of visiting lovely galleries. I hope you’re not at the office and I’m sorry I can’t knock on your door, wearing seductive clothes and a naughty smile
I get up from the sofa and brush my teeth in the small bathroom in the basement. I hear the familiar beep of an incoming message and finish quickly so that I can open up my phone. He’s on Facebook.
Ben Storm: Do you want a day off?
What?
Talia Blum: Although it’s very nice of you to offer, my answer is…hell no! I’m more than happy to go to work tomorrow and avoid my brother’s destructive plan.
Ben Storm: Are you sure you’re not overreacting? Talia, she’s your mother, it can’t be that bad.
Talia Blum: You haven’t met her, therefore, I will allow you to live in with the illusion It’s much worse than you think. Nira Blum is something special, and if you think I’m dramatic...Anyway, thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass.
Ben Storm: Your mother is dramatic? That I must see. It’ll explain a thing or two about her daughter So you’re not coming tonight? Maybe I should pop over tomorrow, for supper or something…
Talia Blum: Don’t you dare! My mom isn’t blind like Danny. She’ll catch onto us in three seconds. If you know what’s good for you, stay at home like a good boy. Dream about me at night doing obscene things to you and maintain your strength until the witch flies away.
Ben Storm: Obscene things? Now I am restraining myself from coming to visit you. Where are you sleeping anyway?
Talia Blum: I’m afraid to tell you, in case you get any ideas.
Ben Storm: You’re in the basement…
Talia Blum: You know me so well.
Ben Storm: It’s true. I know you well and in truly wonderful ways Obscene ways…
Talia Blum: Keep your ideas to yourself! We both know being quiet isn’t my thing. Danny’s house may be big, but it’s not big enough…
Ben Storm: You are definitely not quiet. And that’s one of the great things about you. I can think of a few more, but…
Talia Blum: But
Ben Storm: If I tell you, you’ll kill me.
Talia Blum: Spit it out, Storm!
Ben Storm: I’m in the office.
Talia Blum: No way! You’re hopeless!
Ben Storm: Lots of work, you know.
Talia Blum: That excuse is starting to wear thin. G-o h-o-m-e!
Ben Storm: If you insist. So no grey tracksuit and wonderful moans tonight?
Talia Blum: Not tonight. Sweet dreams…
Ben Storm: I’ll try. Don’t get too upset by your mother, beautiful. You know how mothers can be. When is she leaving?
Talia Blum: On Sunday. It feels like a year away.
Ben Storm: I’m sure you’ll survive. Go to sleep. We don’t want you to be too tired tomorrow when you run around the city in your high heels, leaving a good impression.
Talia Blum: I always leave a good impression. That’s what you pay me for Now stop wasting time and go home.
Ben Storm: I’m out of here. Good night, beautiful.
Talia Blum: Good night, crazy workaholic.
I log out of Facebook and fall asleep on the open sofa in the basement, praying Sunday will arrive soon.
19
Danny is furious when he realizes I really am going to work instead of spending the day with him and the honorable Nira Blum. I drink my coffee and smoke my cigarette on the patio, ignoring them as they leave the house without me. Then, I spend the day visiting some new galleries and updating Sarah about one of the exhibitions, which I think she should see.
Danny sends me a furious text in which he warns me that I’d better show up at the restaurant he chose for supper. I take a leisurely shower, go down to the basement to get dressed, and wait for him to call me when everyone is ready. Maybe it’s not such a bad idea, going to a restaurant. My mother knows how to perform in public, and I prefer her acting to the terrible conversations she has with me.
I’m not wrong. My mother giggles the entire evening, and I wonder if John is buying the impressive show she’s putting on in his honor. My smiles are phony as I’m forced to listen to her endless chatter about her work, her friends, and their daughters.
I know she’s trying to make a point when she tells me about those girls who study and are successful. But I don’t fall for it. I continue smiling and don’t say too much. I promised to make an effort, so I’m sticking to my word heroically.
Back in the basement, I collapse from exhaustion on the open sofa and fall asleep surprisingly quickly.
I slip out of the house at nine o’clock on Saturday morning before anyone else wakes up. I’ve decided to go shopping and to cook lunch for all of us. I wander down the aisles at Tesco, taking my time as I fill the trolley with groceries. I’m not in any hurry to get home.
I’m very well aware that my mother hasn’t had her say yet. And, knowing her as I do, she won’t miss the opportunity to tell me exactly what she thinks. The truth is she’s put on an amazing show since the moment she got off the plane. So now I’m not too sure what’s going to happen.
Maybe I’m just being defensive. Maybe the distance between us has paid off and I don’t have to be so nervous about her visit. But I’m afraid. Past experience won’t let me lay down my defenses. That woman has the ability to hurt me and open old wounds, which have taken ages to heal.
> My phone beeps. It’s an incoming message from Danny, who’s looking for me.
10:17
Where are you?
I hope you aren’t planning on spending the day out.
I type quickly.
10:18
Calm down, I’m just shopping for lunch.
I thought I’d cook something nice for all of us.
I’ll be back in half an hour.
He replies immediately.
10:20
Sorry. You can’t blame me
See you at home.
My mother opens the bottle of wine I bought and pours four big glasses. I smile at her and realize it’s less strained than yesterday.
Maybe she really has missed me. Maybe she’s also trying to make an effort to rebuild the cracks in our troubled relationship. I put the food I’ve been preparing for the past couple of hours in the oven—mushroom-filled blintzes with béchamel sauce and lasagna—and go out to the patio, delighted with the weather.
John is lying on the sofa and I grin at him, proud of myself for having managed to avoid unnecessary dramas.
Maybe I’m not doing it just for Danny. Maybe, also, I’m doing it for myself.
“How are you surviving so far?” John smiles at me. I sit down on the sofa and light a cigarette.
“So far, so good,” I reply. “Are you enjoying the show?”
“I’m prepared to watch it for as long as necessary if it means you’re getting along and Danny is calm and cheerful,” he answers happily. “She’s something special, your mother.”
“Yes, she’s definitely something special. Nira Blum, diva extraordinaire.” I chuckle, fully aware my mother and Danny are close by.
“So, do you think maybe you were worried for nothing?” he questions me, and I frown.
“She hasn’t gone yet,” I state the obvious, not yet willing to let my defenses down.
“Give her the benefit of the doubt.”
“She hasn’t earned it,” I reply. “So, Danny’s happy, huh?”
“Yeah. I was worried about this week, with it being the anniversary of your dad’s death. Your mum’s visit gave him something else to think about.” John is serious as he inhales his cigarette.
“He misses him a lot,” I almost whisper.
“Yes.” John looks at me with quiet eyes.
“Okay, should we set the table and buy tickets for the matinee?” I smile, feeling more relaxed. I put out my cigarette and get up.
“After you, young lady.” John extinguishes his cigarette in the ashtray and comes in after me. He takes out plates and sets the table.
“Oh, Talia.” I hear my mother’s familiar sigh and my body flinches immediately. I know that voice. It doesn’t bode well. “You’re still smoking.”
And so it begins.
“Yes, mother, I’m still smoking,” I answer sarcastically. John gives me a quick look.
Okay… I won’t make the situation any worse…
“I was so hoping you’d stopped with that filthy habit.” She sighs quietly as she sits on the high bar stool in front of me and gives me a look full of disappointment.
“I’m sure you did,” I murmur. I’m not going to get drawn into this. I move my glass of wine nearer and take a small sip.
“I thought that with Dad’s death, you’d realize what a terrible habit it is.” She closes her eyes and shakes her head impressively.
I was waiting to see when she’d bring it up—Dad’s death. She hasn’t said a word on the matter since she arrived, but there wasn’t a chance she wouldn’t bring it up eventually. Certainly not this week.
“I don’t understand what it has to do with him. He never smoked,” I point out.
“Well, you know that smoking and heart disease…come on, I don’t have to tell you.”
“No, you don’t.”
“If your father were alive…” The words I’d been expecting have arrived, and I roll my eyes.
Come on. If my father were alive. He isn’t, and we all know that, so she can just drop it.
“The food is ready,” I announce, changing the subject so that she will cease her sighing. John smiles at me, grateful that I wasn’t tempted to fight with her.
My mother rises slowly and settles in her chair, as though she’s carrying the weight of the entire world on her shoulders. I roll my eyes again.
Seriously, she’s such a drama queen.
I bring the food to the table, take my wine, and sit down next to John, leaving the chair next to my mother for Danny.
“The food smells wonderful.” John smiles pleasantly at me. At least he’s on my side.
“Talia always knew how to cook.” My mom smiles at John, then turns to me and I force a smile. She hasn’t finished. “It’s a pity you never did anything with it.”
I take a deep breath. Here we go. Tomorrow morning she’ll be boarding a plane and getting the hell out of here, so she doesn’t have a lot of time left to say everything she wants to.
“What exactly am I supposed to do with it, Mother?” I ask sarcastically, knowing very well John and Danny would prefer I shut up.
“You know, learn to cook professionally. I don’t know, it’s just an idea,” she answers with a sigh.
It’s not just an idea. With Nira Blum every word is calculated.
“Okay, I’ll think about it.” I try to end the discussion.
“You don’t really mean that,” she murmurs and takes a sip of her wine.
Danny stares at me, begging me to let it go, and I glare at him, making it clear I’m not happy. He puts a large piece of lasagna on his plate and passes me the dish. I put a piece of lasagna on my plate and take a sip of wine.
“Is that all you’re taking?” My mother checks out my plate.
“Yes,” I reply without looking at her. “John, would you like some more wine?”
“I’d love some.” John gives me an I-think-I’m-going-to-need-a-lot-of-wine-to-get-through-this-evening smile. I fill up his glass and mine.
“Are you going to drink all of that?” My mother’s tone doesn’t leave room for any discussion.
“Yes, Mother. This is all I’m going to eat and I’m going to drink all of that,” I reply firmly.
“You don’t have to get mad at me. I’m only worried about you.”
“You can stop with your act. If you have something to say to me, say it and let’s get it over with already!” I glare at her with fiery eyes.
“Talia…” John lays a soothing hand on mine and squeezes it warmly. I’m still glaring at my mother.
“I’m just trying to understand what’s going on with you. You know, with your painting in the basement and that thing you’re doing in Danny’s company,” she answers in a completely fake apologetic tone.
“That thing I’m doing? It’s called a job, Mom!”
“Come on, Talia, what kind of a job is that? Getting dressed up and running around the city. Why can’t you study something serious, get a real job?”
“A real job?” I raise my voice. “And what is my job, a game?”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t know what you mean. And I’m not interested in your opinion.”
“I was so hoping you’d settle here, in London, maybe meet a nice guy.” She closes her eyes and shakes her head.
Seriously? She’s taking out the heavy ammunition?
“Talia has a boyfriend, Mom.” Danny is staring at our mother, shocked by her behavior.
“Really?” She opens her eyes, clearly unprepared for this piece of news.
Not really, Mom. Talia doesn’t have a boyfriend. She’s head over heels in love with Danny’s boss, who is now her boss, and she does things with him that would make Danny go ballistic if he ever found out.
“Yes. Tom,” I answer with a forced smile.
“Tom? Danny never told me.” She’s trying to absorb this new bit of information.
“I haven’t met him yet.” Danny sounds disgruntled.
; “I told you, he’s very busy. I’m sure you can understand.” I shoot Danny a penetrating look.
“What does he do?” My mother collects her thoughts.
“He’s an investment advisor at a bank.” I’m starting to enjoy myself. What have you got to say about that, Mother?
“Wow.” I can practically see the dollar signs in her eyes.
Relax, he doesn’t actually exist. And yet, I’m enjoying the moment.
“Yes. Wow. Actually, you saw him that time at the pub, remember, Danny?”
“Yes, an impressive guy,” Danny replies and steals a glance at John.
“Definitely impressive,” John agrees.
Okay, we get that Tom is good-looking. Now calm down, both of you.
“Maybe invite him over for supper? I’m sure he can find the time for your mother, who has come all the way from Israel.” My mother is trying to integrate herself into my life.
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t know what you’re capable of saying to him,” I blurt out.
“Talia! What an awful thing to say.”
“Sorry, but it’s the truth,” I grumble.
“Why? Because I don’t make things easy for you? Because I want to see you making something of your life?”
“I don’t know what you want,” I answer, worriedly. I don’t know what else she’s planning on saying.