Love's Learning Curve Read Free

amicable as could be since he heavily padded her bank account as a parting gift.
    I smile at my mother’s side while she compliments Laura on everything the eye can see.  My face is aching from the rehearsed, constant smile I’ve been wearing for hours that takes more effort than I care to admit.  “Good afternoon, Ms. Odom.  It’s so nice to see you again,” I lie.
    She carefully assesses my appearance and gives her lackluster acceptance by nodding and greeting me with a simple, “Hello, Charlotte.  Nice to see you as well,” before returning her attention to my mother.
    “Sandra, my son, Davis, whom you met when he attended the dinner with me a few weeks ago, is graduating from Brown University next spring and will be moving back to the South.  Maybe we should introduce Charlotte and Davis to one another?” she inquires, reaching for my mother’s approval of the arranged setup.  My stomach tightens at the thought, and I struggle to maintain the appearance of fake happiness.  Another staged setup is the last thing I need.
    Clearly, my mother disagrees about my needs when she responds directly to Laura.  “Laura, that would be a lovely connection.  Let’s talk schedules and plan a dinner for the two,” she sweetly replies, as if I’m not inches away—only proving I don’t have a voice in the decision.  It’s apparent this guy has her approval, and she has no interest in my input.  It’s a done deal in her mind.
    If I could have a wish, it would be to be anywhere other than a campaign trail.  I crave the normalcy of life, and this is not normal.  The main priority in my life set up by my parents and enforced strictly by my mother is to play this role.  It’s what I was born to do , as she’s reminded me every time I’ve requested to do any of the things normal kids do.
    I wanted to have playdates, go to gymnastics class, and attend birthday parties.  I yearned for friends I could see after the school bell rang.  I could never relate to movies I watched growing up when normal girls wished for riches and fame because I wanted the opposite.  I would have given anything for one of those disgusting school lunches with pizza and mandarin oranges in syrup instead of the grilled chicken salad with a measured dressing portion, fresh fruit salad, and bottled water.  The opportunity to commiserate with my school friends over the gross school food would have been fun, but alas, that day never came.
    Off to college and away from my mother’s watch, I should be taking advantage of the time and enjoy some of those things I missed out on, but I haven’t and I won’t.  I’m hyper-focused on studying and eager to make something of myself that’s bigger than my surname. 
    As the two women engage in conversation, I take advantage of the distraction to excuse myself politely to the ladies’ room while my mother puts her skills to work.  The fact that an escape to the bathroom leaves me feeling a little giddy is insane, but I have a reprieve for a short time so that’s all that matters.  I leave my mother and Ms. Odom to their superficial conversation, which will likely result in a substantial financial contribution.
    I catch the eye of Morgan while making my escape.  She excuses herself from the small group gathered and rushes over to join me, so I pause to wait for her to catch up.  Her arm links through mine, intertwining them elbow-to-elbow.  “Hey. Finally.  I haven’t had a chance to talk to you all night,” she whispers.  “How’s it going with Sandra?” she asks quietly with concern as we walk into a ladies’ room that exudes the same opulence as the rest of the club.
    Leather chairs frame a gas-burning fireplace in a sitting area just outside the restroom area.  Soft music is playing, and the coffee table contains the latest designer magazines.  I look toward the area yearningly as Morgan pulls me to the mirrored vanities instead.
    She releases my arm at the counter and opens