Free The Summer's End by Mary Alice Monroe Page B

“on.” Usually she retreated with a book to the beach or with her laptop to her room, much to her mother’s annoyance.
    â€œIt’s quite peaceful here,” Harper said.
    â€œI’m sure it is, darling.” Georgiana skipped a beat. “There’s no there there.”
    â€œWell, I’m quite content.” Harper could already feel herself growing petulant and contrary in the face of her mother’s disapproval.
    â€œAbout that. ” Harper tensed at the tone that signaled a lecture. “When are you coming back from your summer vacation? I mean, really, darling, aren’t you going stir-crazy lost in the swamps?”
    â€œNot at all. They’re called the wetlands, by the way.”
    â€œIs that so,” Georgiana said in a bored tone. Then, getting back to her point: “Summer holiday is over. It’s time to come home. We have a very exciting fall lineup. I need you back at work.”
    â€œI didn’t think I had a job to come home to,” Harper rejoined pointedly.
    Harper heard the sound of her mother inhaling from her cigarette. “I vaguely recall that you quit.”
    â€œI suppose I did.”
    â€œIt was a heated moment.”
    â€œYes, it was.” Harper recalled the bitter phone call the previous May when her mother made clear, in terse words, that Harper worked for her and had to do as she was told, not only for her job but in her personal life. That moment had crystallized for Harper the true nature of her relationship with her mother. With the veil of sentimentality ripped off, she was able to stand up to her mother for the first time and declare her independence. Or, a first step toward it. She’d found the strength to quit her job, which freed her up to spend the summer atSea Breeze. Something she’d not planned on doing, but had turned out to be a blessing.
    â€œActually, Mummy, that’s why I called. I wanted to talk to you about a job.”
    â€œGood. You must come back as soon as possible. You were quite right about that girl,” Georgiana pushed on in a confidential tone. “Absolute nightmare. She can barely spell, much less punctuate a sentence. And entitled?” She exhaled. “Can you believe the twit wanted to be promoted to editor? Already? Imagine. I sent her packing.” Another exhalation.
    â€œNina? You were singing her praises last time we talked. You were quite clear that you thought she’d be a better editor than I. How I wasn’t ready.” Harper’s cheeks flushed at the memory.
    â€œYou’re imagining things. You’ve always been oversensitive, Harper. The salient point is that I need you back. All is forgiven.”
    Forgiven? Harper’s fingers clutched the phone in a fistlike grip. Her mother always had the ability to twist things around so that in the end she was the victor. “I’m not coming back to—”
    â€œNot coming back? Where would you go? Wait a minute . . . Has Mummy been talking to you again about moving to Greenfields Park?” Georgiana laughed, a high trill sound. “Typical. Now you know where I get my wheedling and conniving side from. Well, I can’t blame you if you choose to move to England. I’ve been a disappointment to them, so I suppose there’s some satisfaction in knowing that at least my progeny can fulfill their dream.”
    â€œBut I haven’t—”
    â€œHaven’t what?”
    â€œMother, will you let me finish a sentence?” Harper said with heat.There was a silence. She continued in a calmer voice, “I haven’t chosen to move to Greenfields Park. I haven’t chosen anything. What I began to say was I’m not coming back to being your editorial assistant. Though I appreciate the opportunity,” she hurried to add, “I’ve grown beyond that position.” She thought that more politic than declaring she no longer wanted to be her