I've Never Told A Lie

Another morning. The early morning is clear and the bright sign above Denny’s blinks and dies out. My breath makes little puffs and I shiver in my running shorts. Heading downstairs, water bottle in hand, I’m startled by mom’s voice coming from the kitchen.
“Taylor? Come here, honey,” my mom calls from the other room. My mom’s usually sleeps until 10 then heads to work, comes home late. I can’t remember the last time I actually talked to my mom, communicating through notes stuck to the fridge. Fearing the worst, I turn the corner to find my mom sitting at the breakfast bar, a silly grin on her face.
“Good morning,” she beams at me.
“What’s going on?” I am suspicious.
“Now, sweetheart, I have some very important news,” she continues smiling at me.
I sit down across from her, wincing as my bare thigh touches the cold metal of the stool.
“ I know this seems sudden,” she starts.
I suddenly know something bad is coming.
“ I’ve been promoted!” she says, “ I start next week, we’re moving on Saturday.”
“WHAT!?” I screech, taking a moment to process what she just told me. Normally, I would be mortified by my behavior but this can’t be happening.
“ We are NOT moving. I’m not leaving all my friends and my life here, Mom. I’ve lived in Baltimore my whole life,” I am throwing a tantrum a two-year old would be proud of.
“Taylor!” my mom suddenly snaps, “We are moving in four days. I am not changing my mind. You can start packing tonight.”
She goes into her room, closing the door with a quiet click. I slump against the marble countertop, feeling goosebumps where my skin makes contact. I squeeze my eyes tight but the tears still fall.