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asking me to stay and talk, she was manipulating everyone so it would happen. The woman was like a master puppeteer.
                  Alex walked back into the dining room and kissed me on the forehead. “I’ll see you in a little bit. Do you want me to keep the girls up so you can tuck them in, or can I read them their story?” I knew Alex liked tucking them in, but he knew it was my thing with the girls. He never did it without me asking him to. Alex was good about not overstepping any boundaries that he felt I set.
                  I looked up at him, hoping he would read my face and mind and find a way for me to escape this talk, but he didn’t say anything else, just waited for my response. “If I’m not back by 7:45 read them a story and tuck them into bed. I shouldn’t be long though.” At least, I was hoping I wouldn’t be long. 
                  I kissed the girls goodnight and watched them walk out the door with Alex. When I heard the door shut, my stomach was a little in knots. Something about my mother wanting to talk to me always made me uneasy, as if I was a child being scolded. I knew why I felt this way, because growing up she was always lecturing me. I could always do better or do it her way. Growing up I resented her, but now as an adult and mother, I could understand her parenting. Nevertheless, I would never parent the same way she did.
                  “Okay, shoot.” I even made the gun motions with my hands to lighten the mood. The look on my mother’s face showed she was far from amused. My dad started to laugh and quickly exited the room when my mother shot him a look filled with daggers.
                  “Can you ever be serious?” She grabbed a few dishes and walked towards me.
                  “Yes, I actually am very serious between the hours of 8am and 3pm. It is probably a good thing too, because if I wasn’t, I would be looking to you for a full time job.” I knew this would really get her going, but her sarcastic question required a sarcastic response.
                  “If this is how you are going to be, then just go home. You make it so hard on me to even have a normal conversation with you. I feel like I struggle to compete for your time while your dad gets so much of it.” She looked away and started to grab plates to scrape into the garbage disposal.
                  I wanted to come back with a smart response, but I could tell she was being honest, and I sensed a bit of jealousy over the relationship I had with my dad. I was a daddy’s girl, but he made it so easy. I could be me with him and feel no judgment. I wasn’t perfect and he never pointed it out to me.
    “I’m sorry, I just feel like I’ve been called into the principal’s office and I’m about to be scolded. I get nervous and I tend to get witty.”
                  “Depends on your definition of witty, and I’m not scolding you. We are just having a talk, mother to daughter.” She almost seemed pleased that she was able to throw in some sort of smart remark. I could tell by the slight smile on her face.
                  “Okay, fire away. What would you like to talk to your daughter about that we couldn’t talk about at dinner?” I had a feeling I knew what was coming.
                  “Alex.” She looked at me as she said it. “Why don’t you sit? You need to listen, so I will talk and wash.” I walked the few steps to the bar stool and had a seat. I sat quickly and quietly. What could she possibly say about Alex? I thought she liked him. This kind of stuff is what she used to do when she was trying to get me to divorce David.
                  “I heard about the conversation Lily had with you and Alex this morning.” I looked puzzled. Did Alex tell her when he was cooking here with her today? Why would he talk to my mom? It was a tad personal and I