10:00pm
"Just call her Linds," Tony says as we sit at dinner.
Alex and Jack are sitting on both sides of me, cheering me on to call my mom. She still doesn't know I'm here in Denver. I look at my screen, trying to build the courage to call. I know she'll be irritated that I never called her. I take a deep breath, tap my phone, and put the phone to my ear. It only takes three rings for her to answer.
"Hi Lindsay," she says in a squeaky voice.
"Hi, mama," I say.
"What's going on hun?"
She's in a good mood. I take this as an advantage. "I just wanted to say that I am here in Denver with some friends."
It's silent.
"Mom," I say worried.
"Mm—sorry, your brother and I are at dinner. Are you going to visit? I can give you money to have when you go back." She says.
"Yeah actually mom, that's what I was calling you about. See I'm trying to go out of state with my friends. We are trying to le-,"
"Wait what? Lindsay you can't just get up and leave the state. Are you crazy? You still have a few days left of school what do you think-,"
"But mom, I already got stuff figured out. Please can't I go?"
"No Lindsay Renee. Now you better be back at school tomorrow. I mean it."
"Please mom," I beg.
"No Lindsay." Her voice is tough.
I shut my eyes as a lump forms in my throat. Don't cry, don't cry. I take a shaky breath in; Vic is looking at me from across the table concerned. I purse my lips fighting my tears.
"Okay," I say softly.
Vic gets up from his chair and grabs my phone from my hands. Everyone looks up at him confused. He walks away casually and puts the phone to his ear. The waitress comes back to the table with our food. We eat quietly; Tony and Mike break the silence with their goofy arguments. I can't stop thinking about what Vic might be saying to my mom. I look around anxiously and Vic is nowhere to be seen.
"I'm sure everything will work out Linds," Jaime assures me.
I force a smile and look down at my food.
"Please Jack can I just have one wing!" Alex whines.
Jack looks over and rolls his eyes, "Fine,"
I laugh and feel a little better. I look back one more time and look at the clock on the wall behind Jaime. I decide to look for Vic. "Excuse me," I say before getting up. I walk around the restaurant weaving between waiters and waitresses. I walk past the bar and still there is no sign of him. I walk past a set of stairs, and backtrack deciding if I should go up them. I look around and quickly run up them. Again I regret that decision and I reach thick glass doors completely out of breath. The doors lead outside to a balcony. Vic is standing facing the other way still on the phone. I quietly walk outside. He turns around and smiles at me.
"Alright well thank you so much Lindsay's mama," He says.
He hands the phone to me and I nervously put it to my ear.
"Hello?"
"I'm not very happy with you leaving school early Lindsay." Her voice is still stern.
I stay quiet.
"But, congratulations on your internship. I hope you have a wonderful time." She says
"I can go?" I ask.
"Yeah," her voice cracks.
"Mama, are you okay?" I ask
"Yes I'm fine. I just have to remind myself that you are getting older. I have to start letting you do your own thing you know? I love you Lindsay Renee and I will miss you." She sniffles.
I smile to myself, "I love and miss you too mama."
"Call me every day you are on the tour thing. If you need me too I can send you money okay? Your friend Vic sounds like a nice guy. He said he will buy you more clothes and stuff. Alright well I have to finish the rest of this overpriced food. I love you Hun." She says one last time.
"I love you too mama, bye."
Vic is smiling at me I run over and hug him tight, "Thank you so much Vic, thank you!"
"No, thank you," he laughs.
He looks down at me and kisses me. We stumble against a wall. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. His hands slide down my torso and to the front of my jeans. I stop him.
"Sorry," he says immediately.
"No it's okay. Just maybe we shouldn't move to fast. You know?" I smile at him.
He nods and kisses me one last time.