;we are never ever ever getting back together

[gracefullygrown]

[Imagine if you will, a typical Friday night for a teenage girl. Exams are months away and homework is completed until Monday afternoon. She tells her parents that she's spending the evening out with a girl friend so her parents wouldn't worry. But in actuality, she has a date with a boy from school that she's been crushing on for a while. That too, has been kept a secret.

Now imagine this typically happy and good natured girl coming home hours earlier than expected and only makes her presence known by slamming the front door and her bedroom door once she gets upstairs. It might even be enough noise to disrupt whatever things are going on in the house. She might be very upset, but doesn't actually lock the door.

You are one of her parents. What do you do?]

Comments

[cursebreaking]

[It's been a conscious effort on their part, keeping any disagreements or other problems behind closed doors to spare both Grace and Henry. Not that there are many, but no couple goes without their share of arguments -- especially not a couple comprised of someone as bull-headed and stubborn as Emma and someone as sarcastic as Jefferson. Two strong personalities that occasionally clash -- but their willingness to put their kids first is what they had initially bonded over even after there had been bad blood between them, and it was something they continued to prioritize.]

Hey, if you're really tired of us, it's only a couple years until college.

[She hopes neither kid goes away, though. At least not far.

She gives Grace another squeeze around her shoulders before leaning in to press a kiss against her temple.]

Good. You're way too good for him, kid.

[gracefullygrown]

Oh, yes. I'll be sure to go find a school a thousand miles away.

[But really? The idea scared her. Going to college is the logical next step, but she's hoping to find something close. She would miss her family a whole awful lot if she couldn't see them every day. But maybe that's part of growing up.

Either way, she's crossing that bridge when she actually has to think seriously about what she'll do after high school.]

I'm not sure what I should say here. Thanks?

[You're such a good mama, Emma. Grace loves you. She really does. She'll never be too old for forehead kisses, either.]

We're good now, right?

[cursebreaking]

Yeah. We're good.

[She smiles as she releases her hold on Grace, sitting up before pushing herself forward and to her feet.]

I'm sure you have better things to do than talk to me for the rest of the night. I'll let your dad know everything's okay. You going to be alright?

[gracefullygrown]

[She gives a curt nod. At this point she's just ready to shower and call it an early night. She's glad she's had this conversation, but it's been mentally and emotionally draining. She's honestly not sure if she could handle much more of it.]

Yeah, I'll be fine. Good night, Mama.