Please Tell Me

by Mike Omer

How do you even milk an almond? It must have really tiny udders.” Robin let out an uncontrollable snort of laughter. “Literally every other place in the country serves milk alternatives, Jimmie,” Ellie said. “You think you’re funny, but some people are lactose intolerant, and some are vegans—” “Maybe that’s what they served to you at that college of yours while you wasted your time writing screenplays and filming artsy movies. But here in the real world, they can drink real milk. Or if they don’t want to, they can drink black coffee, like Robin here! Milk is healthy. It has calcium.”

She wasn’t depressed. She just needed her daughter back.

He could have any girl he wanted, Robin. Absolutely anyone.

but still single now? hmm

When they were teens, Mom would orchestrate fights between her and Melody that could go on for days.

Once, when Robin was eight years old, Mom had asked Dad if he thought her shoes made her ankles look fat. And he gullibly, stupidly told her he didn’t think so, but if it bothered her, she could try a different pair. So she had burned the shoes she wore and accidentally set the drapes on fire. Then, she screamed at him for an entire evening as Robin and Melody hid in Melody’s room, under the blanket. Mom didn’t leave her room for three days after that, refusing to eat. Robin still remembered her dad begging her at the door. Apologizing profusely.

this is really traumatizing. as a mother now, this is the type of behavior i hope to purposely not pass on to my children. wow

Thanks to me, your teeth used to be so white back then.”

classic narcissistic behavior

rebuilding her mental armor.

“Not everything I want to discuss is about you or about your broken marriage, Robin.” “Okay, sorry.” Robin sat down by her mother. “So what were you going to say?” “Never mind.” “No, really, Mom, what—” “I don’t want you to get all huffy and shout at me again. I was hoping to simply have a nice morning together.” Mom shut her eyes and leaned back tiredly. “We used to have such lovely times together when you were a child. What happened?”

Having grown up with Mom, Robin could spot an attempt to squeeze compliments a mile away.

Which should she choose? Whichever she chose would be the slower line for sure.

It took her a while to realize she was crying. Partially for the girl who had desperately wanted to do this throughout her childhood. And partly for the grown woman who realized it was too late now, that it just wasn’t the same. She could appreciate the marvelous toys, but she could no longer really play with them.

Chapter 21

That’s another thing he’d learned from those years with Diana. Mothers’ rules were meant to be broken when they weren’t around.

She had Diana’s temper, that one. Not like his sweet Robin.

but you couldn’t pick and choose for your daughters, right? Well, at least not anymore. Fathers had it much better a few hundred years ago in that regard.

She wasn’t busy. Because another minute had just gone by, and instead of visiting her mother, she was out there doing literally nothing.

“You left me no choice.” There was a tremor in Mom’s voice. “How else would I see my own daughter? You don’t come and visit me anymore.” “I was at your home last week.” “You know”—Mom’s lips trembled—“not a day goes by that I don’t wake up, see the empty side of the bed where your father used to sleep, and feel utterly and completely alone.” Robin sighed. She knew her mother was trying to guilt her. But of course, knowing what she was doing didn’t prevent it from working. “Mom, I visit you as often as I can.” “I suppose that now that you are an esteemed therapist, with such an important patient, you don’t have time for your mother anymore.” “It has nothing to do with—” Mom waved her hand.

And you and your sister would come to see him. You always loved him more, even though I was the one who raised you both.”

“You know, the decent thing to do was to tell Claire Stone she should take her daughter to a real clinic that has the resources and the personnel to give her daughter the best treatment possible.” “Mom.” Robin’s voice trembled. The hurt and misery that stabbed at Robin surprised her. Even after all this time, knowing what her mother was capable of saying, the woman could still inflict pain upon her.

Here’s eighty—” “I don’t need your money,” Robin said through gritted teeth. “Funny, you never seemed to mind when I helped you with your college tuition. And that was a lot more than eighty—” Robin got up. “You’re leaving?” Mom asked, shocked. “If you don’t stop, I’ll leave,” Robin said. She hated the tears in her throat. The way her mother made her feel so small. “Stop what? We were just having a conversation.” Robin took a step away. “Okay,” Mom blurted. The torment was clear on her face. If Robin left her to eat alone, it would be humiliating. She couldn’t stomach that. “I won’t talk about giving you money. Or about your sessions with Kathy Stone. I can see it’s a delicate subject.” Robin sat back down. Mom frowned at her with pursed lips. Then she daintily picked up her croissant, cutting it in the middle. “So,” she said, her voice shifting. “Anything new with your love life?”