Mom Knows Best

Thank you for taking the time to read my fiction story. Fiction is completely out of my comfort zone but a much-needed change of pace. If you have not yet read part one of my summer fiction series please do so:

Small Hand and Foot Prints; Big City Girl

Phoebe returned back to the big city feeling confident, happy, and ready to tackle her goals. Phoebe was grateful that on her most recent visit home that grandma had let her know that it was fine that Phoebe had outgrown small-town life. Having grandma's blessing meant the world to Phoebe.

The visit home was good but Phoebe was so ecstatic to be back in the big city. City life seemed to fit her so well. The loud noise coming from every part of the city, people bustling around, people of different skin tones, hearing different languages being spoken, and the variety of food. Phoebe loved it all.

The first week of design school included Phoebe moving into her dorm, which was basically a very nice apartment. Phoebe had 3 roommates; Anna and Tabitha who were both from Chicago, and Lou who was from California. Phoebe was the only small-town girl in the group.

Phoebe knew right away that she was going to get along just fine with these roommates.

Phoebe made fewer calls home but tried to text her mom back daily when mom sent her a barrage of texts. Mom asked the same questions each day: “How are you doing?”, “ Have your roommates offered you drugs?” , “Have you done drugs?”. Each day Phobe sent the same replies to mom: “I am doing GREAT.” and “I am still not doing drugs.”

Phoebe knew mom meant well but…

School was going great and Phoebe was learning so much about design and creating brands. Her paid internship was still fantastic and with each paycheck, she managed to spend a lot and save a little.

Time was flying by so fast and when October hit Phoebe began to dread the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday break. The break meant she would go back home to the farm and the routine of farm girl life. Mom had already been asking the time of her flight and Phoebe kept telling mom the same fib: “I arrive at 5:45PM on November 19th.” Phoebe kept reminding herself that she needed to book her flight home soon but she just couldn’t do it…

Halloween came and left. Phoebe and her roommates had all gone to a costume party. It was the best party Phoebe had ever gone to. Heck, it was the only party she had ever gone to. All of the parties back home were at the farm or at a relative's house. All the parties back home had Costco cake, BBQ, and board games.

This Halloween party in the big city had ice sculptures, real hors d’oeuvres, waiters and waitresses walking around ready to refill your plate or cup, and best of all a real DJ to play all of the latest hits. Oh, the city life was just so good.

A few days after Halloween Lou asked all of the roommates if they’d like to come home with her to California for Thanksgiving. They all shouted “YES”. Phoebe was so excited to visit California and see movie stars, the beach, and all the Hollywood-type stuff California had to offer. Phoebe immediately started the California countdown.

The next day Phoebe heard her phone ding. As she looked down and saw a text from mom: “Hey Phoebe love you, can’t wait to see you in 16 days”. Phoebe felt ill. She had been telling mom she was coming home and had no plans to or a flight booked. Oh my is all Phoebe could think. Like how do I even get myself out of this mess?

Phoebe had no intention of missing the trip to California. She also did not want to disappoint her family and not be home for Thanksgiving. She had not been home for a holiday.

Phoebe decided to call grandma. She dialed grandma's cell a few times but never let the call go through. What if grandma got upset. Ugh.

Finally, Phoebe dialed grandma and let the call go through. When grandma answered Phoebe wanted to hang up but she couldn’t.

Phoebe said, “Hey grandma, how are you?”

Grandma said, “I am great.”

Phoebe wanted to hang up. She did not know what else to say. She and grandma did some small talk and then Phoebe just blurted out “Grandma I won’t be home for the Thanksgiving break.” Phoebe had no idea why she just blurted it out but she did and there was no way to take it back.

All Phoebe could hear on the other end of the phone was laughter. Phoebe thought maybe her ears were deceiving her but they were not. Grandma was literally LAUGHING OUT LOUD!

“Grandma, why are you laughing?” Phoebe asked.

Grandma said, “Oh Phoebe I knew this was coming but your mom has no idea.”

“Why is that funny grandma?” Phoebe asked.

“Your mom is going to flip!” grandma replied and laughed even more.

Phoebe then laughed too and she then told grandma about her plans to visit California with her roommates.

Grandma told Phoebe that it was a great plan and reminded Phoebe that it would be best not to fib to her mom or anyone else with false commitments. Grandma assured Phoebe that mom would be just fine, upset, yes but she was sure mom would be okay.

Grandma let Phoebe know that making any plans for Christmas before coming home for a visit would not be ok.

Phoebe thanked Grandma for the talk and the advice and let her know she would see her for sure at Christmas time.

Phoebe hung up with grandma and then called her mom. When Phoebe told mom she was not coming home for Thanksgiving Phoebe could immediately hear the sadness in mom's voice. Mom told Phoebe to enjoy California.

Phoebe felt so bad when she hung up with her mom but she was also very relieved.

The next few weeks went by fast and before she knew it Phoebe was headed to California.

Landing in beautiful California with her roommates Phoebe was in awe. Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Santa Monica were more than she ever could have imagined. The weather was beautiful. Sunshine, shorts, and flip-flops in November let alone during the week of Thanksgiving. She couldn't imagine anything more perfect.

Of course, mom had texted at least 25 times and called a few times. Mom had picture requests for certain stars on Hollywood Boulevard. Phoebe made sure to send mom pictures every day.

Thanksgiving morning Phoebe was up early. Lou’s family had a tradition of playing football early in the day. Phoebe felt a bit sad that she was not doing the usual hustle and bustle with her family on the farm. She kind of missed helping in the kitchen and chatting it up with her family.

Phoebe sent a text in her family chat wishing everyone a “Happy Thanksgiving”. She got replies back pretty quickly from everyone except mom.

Phoebe thought mom was probably just busy and did not make much of it. When they all returned back to Lou’s house after the football game Phoebe still had no reply from mom. Phoebe decided to send mom a direct text. She looked at her phone and the message showed as “delivered” but she did not get an alert that it had been “read”.

Phoebe went along with the day, hanging out, trying new foods. Lou’s family had all the traditional Thanksgiving goodies but they also had tamales and flan. Phoebe was in food heaven.

Late afternoon as they all sat around talking and joking around all Phoebe could think of as she kept checking her phone is that mom had not replied to her text. Phoebe wanted to call mom but she knew mom was probably upset she had not come home for Thanksgiving and the last thing Phoebe wanted or needed was to call mom and get into a fight with her today. Phoebe felt horrible that she had hurt mom like this.

Phoebe kept telling herself she would make this up to mom as soon as she could.

As Phoebe, her roommates, and Lou’s family were getting ready to start a game of Monopoly there was a knock at the door and Phoebe heard someone saying her name.

Lou’s dad walked into the living room a few minutes later and said “Phoebe you have a delivery.”

Phoebe was a bit startled; she had no idea who would be sending her something.

Phoebe opened the box and there was another box with a clear top and inside of it was a decadent chocolate cake with the words “Happy Thanksgiving Big City Girl, Love Mom”.

Phoebe started to cry as she picked up the note in the box. The note was from mom and it had beautiful words with mom telling Phoebe how proud she was of her.

Everyone was looking at Phoebe and telling her how sweet it was that her mom had the cake sent to her.

Phoebe got herself together and dialed her mom. Mom picked up on the first ring. Phoebe and her mom exchanged cries and laughs. Mom told Phoebe she had not replied to her texts because she was waiting until the alert of Phoebe's favorite chocolate cake being delivered to her and she did not want to risk ruining the surprise.

Phoebe was a mess full of tears and so glad she had her mom's famous chocolate cake. Phoebe hung up with her mom and headed to the kitchen to cut the cake. As she handed out pieces of the cake all she could hear was “Oh my this is the BEST chocolate cake I have ever had.”

Phoebe smiled from ear to ear. Mom had a secret recipe she never would share. As Phoebe took a bite of the cake her heart and tummy were so happy. The big city girl could not get enough of her mom’s famous chocolate cake. Phoebe was thrilled that her first Thanksgiving away from family did not mean she did not get her favorite dessert.

That night before Phoebe went to bed she sent a text to her mom that said: “Hey mom I love you, my roommates are great people and I can not wait for them to meet you and see the farm.”