Chapter 2

Violet sat in the lounge chair near the pool, enjoying the quiet early morning. She texted Liliane, telling her Violet’s parents wouldn’t let her go to Europe.

~Lame! ~ Liliane replied. ~But hey, look on the bright side. A month from now you’re going to turn eighteen, then you can join us. They can’t stop you!

~True, true! ~ Violet texted back, though her stomach twisted at the thought. She really wanted to go. She did. Yet, she knew it would piss her parents off if she did that. It felt pathetic, but Violet didn’t want to anger her parents. They could cut her off, though she didn’t think they would, but who knew exactly how parents would react. Still feeling nervous about the idea, Violet sent her friend one last text. ~See you in a month then.~

Violet got up from the chair and walked back inside. Her mom greeted her brightly, “Hey hun. Getting a little sun?”

“Something like that,” Violet said flatly, heading into the kitchen and grabbing a small bottle of juice.

“So we’re still upset about last night?”

Violet shrugged in reply, not bothering to hide that she was upset, but not openly admitting it either as she took a drink of the juice.

“Uh-huh,” her mom said, leaning and resting her shoulder on the white-tiled wall. “You know what I think you need?”

To be allowed to go where I want? Violet thought but instead said, “What?”

“Retail therapy. How about we go to the mall for some new summer clothes? We can go all out!”

A sliver of excitement slid into Violet. “All out? Your version or mine?”

Her mom cringed. “I am going to regret this…but yours.”

Grinning, now really excited, Violet finished off her juice. “Then what are we waiting for? I’m ready.”

Still slightly cringing, her mother laughed. “Okay, let me tell your father and get the keys.”

“Sure thing,” Violet said, rushing upstairs. She had said she was ready, but she also remembered she wasn’t exactly presentable. Violet wasn’t wearing any makeup at all. No way could she be seen in such a public place without her makeup!

When she finished, her mother gave her a questioning look. “You were ready, huh?”

“I can’t leave without my make up. You know that,” Violet said, and hurried outside to the Mercedes. Her mother shook her head and followed Violet out, taking the driver’s seat. No one was allowed to drive her mother’s Mercedes. No one!

Violet spent the thirty-minute drive listening to her music while she texted Liliane, telling her about the trip to the mall. ~Yes, guilt trip shopping spree! Good going, Girl! Get that $$!~ Liliane replied.

Although school was out, the mall wasn’t that busy. Violet guessed even in summer people suffered from Monday blues. “Where are we going first?” her mom asked, adjusting the strap of her purse and looking around at the stores.

Violet checked out their selection and pointed to one about four stores down. “There,” she said, pointing and started in that direction. Knowing exactly where she wanted to go, Violet weaved through the racks inside the store. She came to a sudden stop when a t-shirt caught her eye. It was black with a vintage looking logo on it. “Oh my God! This is too cute,” she said.

Her mother laughed. “Okay, if you say so. Put it in the cart.”

Violet placed it inside the cart and continued on her hunt. She found several more t-shirts she liked and added them to the first. Some had cute sayings, while others were more sarcastic. She felt they were all very aesthetic, and would totally complete her summer looks. Shorts and skirts soon joined the shirts. She had vintage looking cut-offs, a few khakis, and shorts that had a lacy design over them. To mix things up a bit, Violet also added some boho styled patterns as well. Of course, skirts she grabbed anything from plaid to flowers, stripes to solid colors. She swore a few times she heard her mother make pained groans. However, Violet decided to take Liliane’s advice and get everything she could out of her mother’s guilt.

They had several bags full of clothing by the time lunch came around. They stopped in the food court. Her mother went for the classic pizza while Violet decided to go Vietnamese. She hadn’t tried that one yet, but she had heard some amazing things about their food. Violet was about halfway through her Thit-Kho when she heard her mother sigh. Looking up, she noticed her mom looking like she’s about to cry. “Something wrong?”

“Yes,” she said with a determined tone. “You’re growing up too fast.”

Violet laughed as she rolled her eyes. “Mom, really?”

Her mother smiled, resting her chin on the back of her hand as she looked at Violet. “I can’t believe it. In a month, eighteen years old. A full fledged young woman.” Her mother’s smile fell and a look of sadness washed over her face. “You’re an incredible person, Violet, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. From here on out, things aren’t going to be easy. Life is going to put every obstacle in your way that it can think of, but you stay strong and forge ahead. Do you hear me?”

Violet stared at her for a moment. Something about her mother seemed off. She couldn’t place what exactly, but there was a nagging sensation in the back of her neck telling her there was something more than Violet’s fast approaching breach into adulthood that caused this conversation. “Mom, what’s going on?”

For a moment, it looked like her mom was going to say something, but instead, she laughed and smiled. “I guess I am being a bit over sentimental, aren’t I?” She laughed again, but Violet swore it sounded strained. “Don’t worry, honey, I’m fine. Just know there is nothing worse than a life with regret. Okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” Violet said, unable to shake that nagging feeling. A sudden idea popped into her head. “But now that we’re talking about this. You know, it would suck getting started in the whole adult thing by already having regrets.”

Her mother’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Europe, the trip to Europe. The one where I am not going to be alone in, but with a bunch of my friends.”

The laugh that came from her mother this time was a lot easier. “Ah, of course.” She shook her head. “Violet, I know you really want to go. I get it, but it’s too dangerous. You’re too young for such a trip by yourself.”

“Again, I won’t be alone, Mom. I’m going to be with several of my friends.”

“I’m sorry, but no. It’s not going to be possible this year,” her mother replied. “I know you don’t get it now, but you’ll understand soon enough.”

Violet dropped her plastic fork down on to her plate. “Of course, right? Later. You know what I think now, Mom? You’re being hypocritical.”

“Violet.”

“No, really! All this talk about living life to its fullest and without regret, and yet, you keep blocking me from doing just that.”

“Violet,” her mother said with a hint of exasperation. “Trust me on this. There is a difference between living life to thrive and living recklessly. Until you can see the difference, I’m going to have to put my foot down. Sorry.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you are,” Violet complained, picking up her fork and moving the food around. She was no longer hungry. In fact, she wasn’t even in the mood to be here anymore. “You know, I think I’ve done enough shopping for one day.”

“Aw, come on, Violet. Don’t let this one thing ruin our day.”

This one thing? How could her mom not get it? Yet again, Violet didn’t see the point in arguing. “It’s not. It’s just I’m tired is all.”

“Violet,” her mother said again.

She didn’t say anything or look at her mother. Violet kept moving the food around her plate.

Her mother sighed. “Alright, if you want to go, we’ll go.”

“I do,” Violet said, picking up the paper plate and cup. She tossed them in the trash and went back for the bags of clothes they’d bought. The elation she had when she bought them was now soured into bitterness. Part of her wanted to just throw them in the trash, along with the leftover food.

Back in the car, her mother started the car and began to back out of the parking space. “Violet, I know you don’t believe me, but I really am sorry. I promise I will find a way that I can to make it up to you. Okay?”

“Yeah, sure, Mom. Don’t worry about it,” Violet said as she put in her earbuds, turning up the volume. She had no desire to keep talking to her mom when all her mom was doing was saying the same bull shit over and over again.