"Oh My Gods" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tera Lynn Childs)

Mom sits on the twin bed in the dorm room that has been my home for the last seven days. Twenty minutes ago my life was perfect. . . . right on track.

Now IтАЩm just supposed to pack up my life and move halfway around the world so Mom can shack up with some guy sheтАЩs only known for a week?

Sounds like the end of the world to me.

7



тАЬI know you were looking forward to spending your senior year at Pacific Park,тАЭ she says, entering therapist mode. тАЬBut I think that the move will be good for you. Broaden your horizons.тАЭ

тАЬI donтАЩt need broader horizons,тАЭ I say, grabbing the pillow off my bed and tugging at my striped pillowcase.

тАЬHoney, youтАЩve never lived anywhere but Southern California.

YouтАЩve gone to school with the same kids your entire life.тАЭ She places her hand on my shoulder when I lean past her to grab my blanket. тАЬI worry that when you go off to USC next year youтАЩll be in for a shock.тАЭ

тАЬI wonтАЩt,тАЭ I insist. тАЬNola and Cesca will be there.тАЭ

тАЬSo will thousands of other students from across the country.

From around the world.тАЭ

тАЬThat doesnтАЩt mean I need to be from around the world, too.тАЭ

Turning away from Mom, I quickly fold my blanket and drop it on top of my duffel. All my things are packed, but IтАЩm not ready to go yet. Not when I know heтАЩs out there somewhere. Not when my whole world is being pulled out from under me.

тАЬCome,тАЭ she says quietly. тАЬSit down.тАЭ

I look over my shoulder to see her patting the bed.

I tell myself to remain calm. This is still Mom, after all. SheтАЩs usually very reasonable. . . . maybe sheтАЩll listen to my argument. Prepared to discuss this like adults, I plop down next to her.

тАЬMom,тАЭ I say, trying to sound as mature as possible, тАЬthere has to be some other way. CanтАЩt he move here?тАЭ

тАЬNo,тАЭ she says with a sad laugh, тАЬhe definitely cannot.тАЭ

тАЬWhy not?тАЭ I ask. тАЬIs he wanted by the law or something?тАЭ

8



Mom gives me an of-course-not look. тАЬHis work demands he remain in Greece.тАЭ

Work! ThereтАЩs something I can use.

тАЬWhat about your work? Your practice?тАЭ I inch closer. тАЬWonтАЩt you miss your daily dose of crazies?тАЭ Not a PC term, I know, but IтАЩm operating in desperation mode.