Ch. 26

The whole rest of the day at work, I couldn't help but to have the biggest smile on my face. I was excited, but nervous, to be going on a date tonight with Danny. I barely knew him, yet it felt like I knew him forever. I needed to know more, and I needed to know why I couldn't shake the feeling of knowing him from somewhere else.

I finally got off work around 4 pm. I was anxious to get home so I could get ready for my date. I was so lost in thought, with a huge smile on my face, that I barely noticed that I made it home.

When I walked through the door, I headed straight to my room. I needed to decide what I was going to wear. Luckily, the rain had let up, and I didn't really want to go see a movie. We couldn't really talk during a movie.

I was rummaging through my closet when my bedroom door opened. I barely heard the person enter. I was too busy with my mind being elsewhere. I needed to find something to wear. I didn't even realize I was being watched.

"Alyssa, dear."

It was the soft spoken voice of my mother. I was so startled, that I jumped right up, and turned to look at her. My hand was clutching my chest.

"Geeze, mom. You scared me half to death."

I was panting. I had a feeling I knew what she wanted, but I wanted to find something to wear before it was too late. I didn't want to be bothered right now.

Mom chuckled a little, and let out a small sigh. She saw the pile of clothes I had thrown out of my closet in my pursuit of the perfect outfit.

"Well, I came to see what's gotten into you. You didn't even say hi when you walked through the door. Is something wrong?"

She knew what was going on. Why did she always have to patronize me? Why was I so angry at her? I couldn't figure it out. I just wanted her to really be there for me just this once. I wanted to be the favorite for a change. I wanted to be the one whom she fawned over.

"Nothing's wrong, mom. I'm going out tonight, and I need something to wear."

She smiled knowingly at me. Of course she knew. After all, she was the one who pretty much set it up.

"Well, I always liked that light blue dress of yours. It's in the back of your closet. I'm sure Daniel will love it. I can help you with your hair, too, if you would like?"

My jaw dropped. Did she really just help me? And, she mentioned his name. She knew I knew. I grabbed the light blue, tank top dress from the back of the closet. It was plain, but it flowed to my knees. She was right, I had also always loved this dress.

She was watching my every move. I had turned to the mirror to admire my choice before I decided to put it on. I had a small smile on my face, and I looked up to see her smiling back at me. She moved to go sit on the bed. I turned toward her, and smiled. She patted the spot beside her. I made to sit beside her.

"What is it, mom?"

I was nervous. She normally had the heart to hearts with Emily. This was different, though. I couldn't tell if it was in a good way, or a bad way.

"I know you know I told him where you work. He's such a nice young man. I was surprised when he came in today asking about you. I haven't seen him in years. That's not what I want to talk to you about, though."

I was confused. What did she really want to talk to me about? I looked at the clock anxiously before she continued. It was 5 o'clock. I needed to start getting ready now. I gave her a look of permission and she nodded.

"I know you think Emily has always been my favorite, and that I haven't paid as much attention to you as I have her."

I was just pulling the dress up over my shoulders when I stopped in shock. I couldn't believe she was finally admitting it after all these years. She was admitting what I always knew.

"She's not as independent as you. Well, she is, just in her own way. She's always needed guidance. You haven't. You have always known exactly what to do. I didn't want to stand in the way of your independence, and I admire you for that. I know you may feel like I over stepped my boundaries some by telling him where you work, but, I just know he's the right one for you. I know you two are perfect for each other. Please trust me on this. Don't be mad. This is me guiding you to the right place to be."

I started crying a little. She was right. After all these years, she was being a good mom to me. She was letting me do my own thing, whereas Emily, couldn't ever figure things out for herself. I turned to her with tears in my eyes and hugged her. She zipped up my dress in the middle of our hug, and she was sniffling, too.

"It's okay, mom. I understand now. I always thought I was the black sheep of the family, but now I know the truth. You have been there for me in your own way. I understand, and I'm not mad at you. If anything, I'm grateful. I'm grateful for how you raised me, I'm grateful for you letting me be me, and most of all, I'm grateful for you sending Danny my way."

I couldn't help but to smile at this. It was all true, and in my moment of revelation, all of my resentment lifted. I no longer felt hatred to my sister, and I no longer felt that my mother hated me. After all this time, she was looking out for our best interests. I never loved her more for it.

By this time, we were both crying and hugging again. After finally pulling away from each other, we smiled and wiped each other's tears away.

"Now, Alyssa, what do you say to me helping fix your hair and make-up?"