Free Forever An Ex by Victoria Christopher Murray Page A

and so quickly. It wasn’t until this very moment that I knew I was doing everything right.
    â€œMom, why’re you looking at me like that?”
    â€œLike what?” I said, finally closing my mouth.
    â€œLike with your mouth all wide open and your eyes all big and everything.”
    â€œI guess I’m just surprised.”
    â€œ ’Cause I want to take you out to dinner?”
    â€œUh, yeah, you’ve never done that before.”
    â€œI know, but I’m only eleven, Mom. It’s not like I’ve had money forever. So, let’s go to dinner.”
    I jumped right off of my bed, thrilled. My efforts were being reciprocated. My daughter wanted to spend time with me . “Where’re we going?” I asked, rushing to my closet. “Do I have to get fancy?”
    Angel laughed. “No, Mom. Keep on those jeans. I only have twenty-four dollars.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” I said. “I can give you extra money.”
    â€œIf you did that, then I wouldn’t be taking you out. I just want to spend my money, okay?”
    â€œOkay.” I smiled. “So where’re we going?”
    â€œLet’s do the Chinese Bowl in the mall,” she said, with her chest poked out like she’d just announced she was taking me to a four-star restaurant.
    Now, you know, I was used to going to the best places. But the fact that I was going with Angel, and it had been her idea, made it feel like the Chinese Bowl was the best restaurant in the world. “I love the Chinese Bowl,” I told her, though I hadn’t eaten at one of those fast-food joints in the mall since I was a teenager.
    â€œGreat. I’ll go get my stuff.” As she dashed out of my bedroom, she shouted over her shoulder, “You’ll have to drive, though,” as if I didn’t know that.
    I laughed as I grabbed my purse, called down to the valet to have my car brought up from the garage, then met Angel right at the top of the staircase. Together, we bounced down the steps and chatted as we took the elevator to the lobby.
    â€œSo is this a special dinner?” I asked when I pulled out of the circular driveway of our building. “Are we celebrating anything?”
    â€œNope!” she said. “I just thought it’s my turn to do something for you.”
    Right then I wondered if she’d ever done this for Caroline. But I tossed that question aside. No need to keep score; I was already ahead. I was Angel’s mother, and that was the winning shot at the buzzer.
    It only took us a couple of minutes to get to the Beverly Center, and after I parked, we took the elevator to the top floor. Then, with our Chinese bowls filled with fried rice, broccoli, and chicken, we sat down.
    â€œDo you know how great this is, Angel?” I said. “To have my daughter take me out to dinner?” I shook my head. “Just so, so cool.”
    She nodded as she used her chopsticks to scoop up some rice. “I keep telling you, Mom. I’m really mature for my age.”
    I laughed. “Yes you are.” I guess I had to finally admit that.
    We chatted leisurely, about her upcoming dance recital, and the school play where she was auditioning for one of the lead roles. We talked about her classes and how world geography was her favorite subject.
    â€œWorld geography?” I said. I didn’t remember having a class like that even in high school!
    â€œYeah, I love learning about all the continents of the world and all the countries. Do you know how many countries are in the world?”
    I didn’t have a basis to guess, and thankfully, my child gave me the answer before I proved to her that I wasn’t as smart as a sixth grader.
    â€œOne hundred and ninety-six,” she said. “Though lots of people say that it’s only one hundred and ninety-three because that’s how many countries are part of the UN. But there are independent countries,