Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Dinah rolls her eyes.
“Of course not! It’s too late in the year for that. But where are you going in this ridiculous outfit? It looks like you’re five years old with that ribbon in your hair and the shiny Mary Janes.”
I swallow. This is the hard part because how do I tell my mom that I’m supposed to look like I’m five years old? How do I tell her that this is what my man and I enjoy doing together? There’s only one path forward, and that’s to tell her the truth.
“Well Mom, do you remember when you had that trouble with your rent about a month ago?”
She nods her nose scrunching with confusion.
“Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?”
I take a deep breath.
“Well, I went to Carlton Realty the next day to ask for a reprieve, and I met Mr. Carlton.”
Dinah nods.
“Yes, Kenneth Carlton, right? Your old high school friend.”
I shake my head.
“No, not Kenneth. His dad, Xavier Carlton.”
My mom looks puzzled.
“The Xavier Carlton who’s a billionaire real estate developer? You talked to him?”
I nod.
“Yes, I did. Well, one thing led to another, and it turns out that he has certain predilections. Specifically, he enjoys dating women who dress up like little girls, so now I’m dating him so that you won’t be evicted. And to keep him happy, I dress up like a little girl.”
The blood rushes from my mom’s face, leaving her pale and ghostly-looking. She drops bonelessly onto the couch, and it looks like she’s having trouble breathing.
“It’s fine, Mom,” I say, running over to pat her shoulder. “It’s not anything dangerous or criminal. I mean, it is a little bit freaky, but it’s not crazy or anything like that. I just dress up, and then Xavier and I play together as a daddy and a little girl. It’s harmless, don’t you see? He doesn’t beat me with belts and whips or anything of that sort.”
My mom doesn’t reply because it looks like she’s still having trouble breathing. Her face is now totally white and she raises one hand to her chest, while wheezing sounds come out of her throat.
“Are you okay, Mom?” I ask with sudden fear. “Oh my gosh, Mom, Mom! Are you okay?”
With that, my mother keels over while clutching her chest, collapsing into a heap on the floor. I’m on my knees beside her in an instant with panic rising in my chest. Oh my god, did my mom just have a heart attack because of my dirty relationship with Xavier Carlton? Is she going to die? Suddenly, I know I’ll never forgive myself if my mom passes away because of me.
15
Katie
Dinah stirs in the hospital bed, and I’m at her side in an instant. I’ve changed out of the ridiculous Rainbow Brite outfit, and am wearing jeans and a gray t-shirt now. But it hardly matters. My mom looks waxen and pale, and the beeps from the machine measuring her pulse seem weak and oddly erratic.
“Mom,” I cry while seizing her hands. “I’m so sorry. I swear, I’ll break off this relationship with Xavier Carlton. I didn’t mean to shock you like that, and I’ll cut it off, I swear. You can come live with me, Mom. I didn’t want you to because my apartment is so small, and I was afraid we’d drive each other crazy if we were squashed together like that. But it doesn’t matter anymore. You can give up your apartment, and we’ll figure it out, okay? I’m sorry, Mom. I’m really sorry,” I cry out as tears spill from my eyes.
My mom hacks and coughs a little bit. She looks pale and waxen and I sob a little more before jumping to action.
“Here, have some water,” I say while pouring from a pitcher by her bed. I hand her the cup, and she takes it with a trembling hand.
“Here, use a straw,” I say, reaching for a white and red striped straw lying on her tray. “It’ll make things easier, seeing that you’re so weak.”
My mom sips gratefully, without saying anything. After what feels like a few minutes, she puts the cup back down and takes my hand.
I sob again, wailing my distress.
“I’m so sorry, Dinah,” I cry in a low tone. “I was being selfish, and I know that catching me in that outfit took you by surprise. But I swear, what Xavier and I were doing wasn’t dangerous or even bad. It’s just a little roleplay that we like to indulge in, but I know it’s disgusting to you, and I’ll stop it, I promise. Consider it done. I’ll never see him again, if that’s what you want,” I cry out. “But please, don’t have another heart attack, okay? It was really scary, and you’re all I have.”
Dinah swallows like her throat is dry, and then the corners of her mouth turn up in a smile.