Mom at Work

"Whee, that was fun." Mom says as she finishes cutting another piece of wood.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" I ask.

"Oh, Melissa, I didn't see you come in." She wipes her brow, then picks up another wood plank.

"Wait a minute. Why are you playing with these tools?" I ask again. She frowns. "I'm not playing, I'm working. The contracter's union is on strike and they need temp workers to fill in at all the job sites."

"But you're retired" I say, puzzled. "You're 67! And since when could you operate power tools?"

"I saw the job opportunity in the paper and I took it. She replies, annoyed. "Social Security just don't go as far as it used to. I need to work to make ends meet. Of course, YOU wouldn't know anything about that!"

I roll my eyes, sighing. I know exactly where this is going. She's done it countless times before. I know i should just let it slide, but I take the bait anyway. "And what is THAT supposed to mean?" I say, crossing my arms.

"Oh come on, Missy!" Mom blurts, elevating her voice as she shifts into lecture mode. "You're 24 years old and you've never worked an honest job in your life!"

"Mom, that's not true! I do a lot of stuff!" I say defensivley.

"Hah!" she retorts spitefully. "After all the effort I put into raising you, working overtime night after night so you could afford to go to college, you go and get yourself knocked up freshman year and have to drop out!"

"It worked out though." I say. "Jim and I got married after he graduated college and we're raising Mark together!"

"You just got lucky!" Mom yells back at me. "I never had the chance, I had to support myself and you after your father left! So what now, are you just going to be a housewife for the rest of your life? Barefoot and pregnant?"

By now I am on the verge of tears. Mom's tirade has attracted quite a crowd of onlookers. Why does she have to be so nasty/angry all the time? Why can't she just accept my lifestyle and be happy for me?

1. I leave the library, frustrated and crying
2. I continue to argue with Mom
3. I tell her I never want to see her again

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