The Apartment Read Online Free PDF Page B

Sean if he’d mind getting it for me. He’s something of a clown.”
    â€œSo I gathered.” Her mother’s voice dipped softly. “I’m beginning to think your move to Portland might have been a good idea after all.”
    â€œI’m sure it was,” Hilary said tightly, realizing her mother was using reverse psychology. If Louise could convince Hilary moving to Portland was such a good idea, then her daughter might have a change of heart and return home. It was a ploy Louise had used all too often.
    â€œDon’t you miss me even a little?” Louise pleaded.
    â€œOf course, but…”
    â€œRemember the good times we had sitting up and chatting while we watched the eleven-o’clock news? You used to like those tiny marshmallows in your hot chocolate?”
    â€œMother, I was ten years old!”
    â€œI know…it’s just that I can’t sit through the newscast anymore without getting teary eyed. I worry about you living all alone.”
    If only her mother knew.
    â€œWe used to be so close.”
    Hilary missed those times with her mother as well, but not enough to consider returning to San Francisco. She was adjusting to her new life, a new schedule. She was adjusting to a man!
    â€œI’m getting along just fine. There’s no need to worry about me,” Hilary said, hoping to reassure her mother and at the same time terminate the conversation before it dragged on.
    â€œI’ve only phoned once since you moved out. I got your letter this afternoon, but somehow it’s not the same.”
    â€œI’ve been busy, Mother. Time got away from me.”
    â€œYou’re working too hard, aren’t you, Princess? I bet you’re not eating properly, either.”
    â€œMom,” Hilary said shortly, “could you stop being a mother, just for once?”
    â€œStop being a mother,” Louise repeated in a low, pain-filled voice. “I…don’t know that I can.”
    â€œI’m not a little girl anymore. I’m a woman and I’d appreciate being treated like one.” The time away from home gave her the courage to speak boldly.
    â€œI see.” Her mother’s voice dipped softly.
    Hilary resisted a sigh of regret. She didn’t mean to be so abrupt, but it seemed the only way to reach her parent. “It isn’t like I need to be tucked into bed every night.”
    â€œI know, it’s just that I miss you so much.”
    Hilary was growing tired of the argument. “If you’re phoning past ten, I assume you must have a good reason.”
    â€œWell, yes…I’ve got a small surprise for you. I thought I’d fly up to Portland to be with you on Mother’s Day. That is, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œOf course I don’t,” Hilary said, feeling increasingly guilty over her outburst.
    â€œI realize you can’t be with me because the symphony’s performing, so it makes sense for me to come to you. I’ve already booked my flight, but I realize now that was a bit presumptuous of me.”
    â€œNot in the least. I’ll look forward to your visit.”
    â€œI’m so pleased,” Louise went on to say. “I got your letter this afternoon and felt just terrible that we’d be apart on Mother’s Day. It wasn’t until later that I realized if you couldn’t come to me, then I could visit you. I booked my flight and then waited until I thought you’d be home this evening.”
    â€œWe’ll have a good time, Mom.”
    â€œI know we will, Princess. You can show me your apartment, and we’ll sit and drink hot chocolate just the way we used to. We’ll have all kinds of fun.”
    â€œThat sounds wonderful, Mom,” Hilary said, closing her eyes and pressing her forehead against the wall. They ended the conversation a few minutes later.
    The silence behind Hilary told her Sean had managed to clear his buddies out of the