09/02/2009 14:42:00

Mrs. Bloom stood at the window waiting for her daughter to return from her trip. A yellow taxi pulled up to the house and Mrs. Bloom's heart lightened, her daughter had returned home. Much to Mrs. Bloom's displeasure Kyle showed up just at that time too, "Why can't that boy let me and my daughter have moment before he intrudes in", she thought.

Mrs. Bloom chuckled to herself to see Amanda knock Kyle off balance by swinging her door open, obviously she was too distracted to see Kyle standing there she thought.

Mrs. Bloom watched as Kyle did another of his sweet gestures for her daughter. She disliked Kyle for his unorthodox past but she had to admit that no one else Amanda ever dated did as many thoughtful things for Amanda. As Mrs. Bloom finished this last thought she saw her daughter drop the small but simple bouquet of flowers, Mrs. Bloom knew Kyle probably put it together himself. Carol Bloom was shocked by her daughter's action, somewhat pleased but shocked, Amanda usually loved the innocent acts of love from Kyle.

Mrs. Bloom wondered had Amanda finally broken up with that Trager boy? The door closed and Mrs. Bloom stepped away from the window, her curiosity was eating away at her, she was going to find out if her hopes had been realized.

"Hello Amanda you didn't stay with Kyle very long", Carol Bloom knew better than to directly ask this kind of information from Amanda so she thought it best to play it slyly.

Amanda didn't even acknowledge her mother and started to walk up the stairs towards her room. Mrs. Bloom was caught off guard by this Amanda never just didn't respond to her, usually Amanda would just give her a simple "hello mother" and then play off her question with a vague answer to tell her it was not her business. Mrs. Bloom was not going to stand for her daughter totally ignoring her so she pursued Amanda up the stairs.

Amanda had away put her suitcase, got her purse, and turned to go out the door. Mrs. Bloom blocked her way out.

"Where do you think your going Amanda?" Mrs. Bloom's tone was sharp, she wanted to show her daughter she meant business.

"Out and I am taking the car" Amanda said in an intense serious voice.

Carol Bloom took a step back, "Excuse me young lady, no you're not you just got home." Mrs. Bloom said coolly she knew when she gave order like this that was the end of the conversation, "How did it go at the conservatory, did you get the scholarship?"

After Amanda's mom finished her ultimatum Amanda put her purse on her shoulder and pushed her way past her mother, "Don't think so, be back later". Am Amanda started walking downstairs towards the kitchen to get her mother's keys.

Mrs. Bloom's mouth briefly fell open before she caught herself and chased after her daughter. Amanda never got away with this sort of defiance and Carol Bloom was not going to let it start now.

Carol finally caught up to Amanda in the kitchen; Amanda had the car keys in hand. "Amanda I told you already your not going out and if you don't stop now I will ground you" Mrs. Bloom put as much clear force behind her voice in hopes to rattle Amanda into a clear state of mind.

Amanda just looked at her mother briefly before continuing on her intended path to the car, "Later" Amanda said while passing her mother.

Mrs. Bloom just stood there sheer horror spread across her face as she heard her car start up, Amanda had never acted this way before. Mrs. Bloom thoughts were broke when she saw her purse on the counter and it was open. Mrs. Bloom walked over to her purse prayed to God, "Please don't let Amanda do what I think she did". Carol Bloom looked inside her purse and to her dismay her billfold was open and her credit card missing.

A mixture of emotions rushed over the woman shock, anger, and disappointment in her beloved daughter. Mrs. Bloom had half the mind to call the credit card company and stop the card but she thought better of it, she was upset but she didn't want to embarrass her daughter or herself by having to bail Amanda out of jail. Instead, not knowing what to do, she went to the couch and sat down and looked at a picture of her husband, "he would know what to do" Carol thought to herself.

Amanda returned home later that night with a multitude of bags in her hands. Amanda opened the door to the kitchen and laid the credit card and keys on the kitchen counter. Amanda glanced over at her mother who was sleeping on the couch a wine glass in her hand and a bottle on the table next to her. Amanda had no reaction as she continued past her mothers and up the stairs where she locked herself in her room.

Mrs. Bloom awakened out of her daze and looked at the clock, 6:58 am. Mrs. Bloom slowly sat up and realized she had a real bad headache and looked at the hand that had a wine glass in it, her emotions got the best of her. Mrs. Bloom heard Amanda's door open and got off the couch, maybe this morning's talk would go better.

As Amanda came into view standing in the hallway a look of sheer horror overtook Mrs. Bloom, "what was Amanda wearing!' Mrs. Bloom thought. With the sight of Amanda all thoughts of civil talk with her daughter went out the window.

Amanda looked over at her mother and saw the stern look on her face.

"You like?" Amanda told more than asked her mother knowing how ticked her mother was.

Mrs. Blooms eyes widened how dare Amanda be so smug with her, she had no right. Amanda's mother's face twisted and turned red with anger trying to think of the words that would shake her daughter.

"Amandaaa …. If your father was here he would…" this was the only thing Carol could think to say.

Amanda cut her mother off before she could finish her threat, "Oh God will you get over him already. Dad is dead move on I have", Amanda's voice was fierce, "Also before you harp on about my clothes I did some thinking in New York and I decided to make changes, that is all there is to it case closed." Amanda walked to the door and before opening turned to her mother who was on the verge of tears, "Oh and do me a favor get rid of the piano, I am past that now" Amanda said smoothly and walked out the door.

Mrs. Bloom just stared at the closed the door, a huge amount of tears emerged upon her face, she did not know if it was her headache or Amanda's words that hurt more. A question kept crossing Mrs. Bloom mind "What happened the daughter she loved?"