Taking Back Time

Tradition. Legacy. Family values. Obligation.

The words tortured her thoughts as she semi-mindlessly navigated the long ago, familiar streets of her childhood.

Approaching the rusted gate, open as expected, her car took on a snail’s pace creeping up the extensive driveway. What was left of the morning dew glistened on blades of grass, their mowing long overdue.

Sienna parked, as she always did, between the two, stately trees. After engaging in a brief, but intense, staring contest with herself in the mirror, she finally silenced the engine.

The breathing exercises from her therapist were only partially working at present. Hands still firmly on the wheel, she was playing out every possible scenario for how this conversation would go.

It’s not that talking to her mom was typically stressful, but today’s topic was arguably more delicate.

Since this was an unexpected visit, it was best to start off with some general catching up.

“Now or never, I guess,” Sienna sighed, as she approached her mom’s house.

“It’s me,” she called.

“Did I know you were coming?” her mother’s voice wafted towards her.

“No, just a spontaneous visit,” Sienna replied, a twinge of guilt running through her body at the half-truth.

To her mom’s credit, she jumped right in, “So, how’s school going?”

“Oh, you know, controlled chaos,” Sienna began. “The middle schoolers tend to lose their minds when we get this close to break.”

“When’s your last day? Are you and Marshall going anywhere over the holiday?”

“We have a half day on the 16th, and then, done for a week and a half. Marshall mentioned checking out Traverse City and Detroit, so that should be fun!”

“That’ll be nice. You have some restaurants and activities planned out?” Her mom knew Marshall was a planner, so guaranteed she already knew the answer.

“We have a few places in mind. Then, we might just see where the rest of the time takes us.”

“So, who’s covering the store while you guys are gone?” It was a question, but with some extra emphasis.

Well, there it was. Sienna knew the store would come up eventually, and now the decision was unavoidable.

“Patrick is covering.”

Before her mom could respond, Sienna dove in.

“Mom, I’m…”

As if on cue, the wind picked up, rustling the trees nearby. Sienna momentarily questioned every thought she had had over the last several hours…weeks…months. How could she abandon the efforts of her mom, her grandparents, hell, even her great-grandparents?

” I…I’m…” She was transported back to her five-year-old, kindergarten-self. The thought of disappointing her mom ate at her whole being, but she needed to take back her life and her time. The stress had to stop. She couldn’t pursue her teaching career and keep up with the family store.

“I’m selling the family business,” her finality finally put out in the open.

The silence grew.

Sienna slowly scanned the grassy expanse, and all of her mother’s possible objections flooded her mind, as she retreated from her mother’s gravestone.