It was Tuesday.

I always got so nervous waiting for Mom. I didn't like it when she was upset- and I knew there was a chance she would be. I tried to scroll through my phone to calm myself. It wasn't that big of a deal.

I found that I made myself worry way more than I had to. I put it off to the fact that I just really cared about Mom. But, deep down, I knew it was more than that.

When Mom finally got home, I jumped off the couch to see her. I needed to make sure she was okay.

"Olive I'm hom- Hi, honey." Mom cut herself off when she saw me.

"Hi. How was it?" I hugged her. No signs that she was overly upset. That was good. I hated when she was upset.

"It was alright." Mom said quietly, hugging me back, then pulling away to take off her shoes. She glanced at me before setting her purse and work bag down, "How was your day at school?" I assumed she changed at work, she was in normal clothes.

"Fine. Boring." I shrugged. I was more concerned about her. But, of course she was more concerned about me. "Are you ok?"

Mom nodded a little. "I'm alright. A little hungry," She brushed my question off.

I nodded. If she was really that upset she would tell me. So, I let it go. I went back over to the couch as Mom went to the kitchen.

"You want anything?" Mom asked.

"No thanks. I just had a snack."

It was quiet while Mom was in the kitchen. I just went on my phone again, my nerves significantly having dropped. I could actually comprehend the things I was looking at now. Which was really just people's instagram posts. But, still.

"You have any homework?" Mom sat on the couch, a cup and a plate with a few different cold cuts in opposite hands.

"Finished it."

"Wow, my little smartie."

I rolled my eyes, and Mom laughed.

I could tell she was beating around the bush about something. Something was very clearly up. She would say it eventually.

The silence started to get awkward, though. I knew something was on her mind- and she knew that I knew.

"Hey." Mom said suddenly.

I looked up at her. She was already looking at me. Her eyes scanned me in a nervous way.

She paused- as if thinking of what to say next.

"I'm going to say something. And... it's not something I'm set on or something I'm expecting you to say yes to. But... I've been thinking about it for a while now and I have to talk to you about it." She said, her voice expressing the same nerves I saw in her eyes. "Okay?"

" 'Kay" I didn't know where she was going with this. I put my phone down, sitting up a little more.

She shifted her drink from one hand to the other. "I've been thinking about talking to Callie about moving in together."

I bit my cheek. I knew this would come up- in a more serious way- eventually.

"I think Callie and I are both really serious about this- our relationship- I think it could be a good step for us. I haven't talked to her about it. I want to know what you think, first." Mom explained further.

I didn't know what to say.

"Uh... this is the part where you say something?" Mom said quietly.

"Sorry," I laughed. "I just don't know."

"That's completely fine. I don't want you to have a final answer about how you feel right now. I understand this is big. You have all the time you need to think about it." Mom reassured.

I nodded slowly.

"I'd like to know what you're thinking, if you wanna tell me." She said softly, she wasn't forcing me. Just gently being there for me.

"It feels super fast." I said after a few moments.

Mom nodded a little.

"I mean... I like Callie. I do. She's great for you. And, she's always been kind to me. But it's barely been a year since we moved out." This month, it would be one year. One year since my dad left us or we left my dad- whatever you wanna consider it.

"I know, it's a lot. I understand." Mom spoke soothingly. She took a sip of her drink.

"It's not about Callie. I just don't know if.."

"It's a lot of change?" Mom asked, as if she was reading my mind.

I nodded slowly. Exactly that. I was just getting used to living here. With just Mom. It would be a huge change. Living with a whole other person- potentially moving again.

"You don't have to make a choice any time soon. I won't bring it up with her until you're ready." Mom said after some silence.

"I just need to think about it."

"It's a lot to think about, it's ok."

Some silence.

"Want a hug?" Mom asked.

I shrugged, but she was already putting her plate and cup down. I giggled when she wrapped me tightly in her arms.

She kissed the side of my face. "I love you so much." She said. "Nothing will ever change that, you know."

I squirmed in her tight embrace. "I love you too Mom." I told her.

She smiled brightly at me, giving me another squeeze before pulling away. She sat right next to me.

"I was so nervous to tell you that." She whispered.

"Why?" I tilted my head.

"Because I know it's a lot for you. The change. I just want you to be happy."

"I can handle it." I said quietly. I could handle it. I just needed time. To process. Moving in with Callie was a big step. A step that was being taken very early in their relationship. "You really love her?" I asked after a few moments.

"I do, yeah." Mom smiled at me.

I nodded a little. I would feel ok with it- eventually. Right now, though, it was too much.