I held the uno cards in my hand, staring at mom with a smirk. She knew I had won. “Oh hell, I quit!” She cackled, playfully smacking me on the arm. She went to the kitchen sink, grabbed the bottle of wine, and poured herself another glass. Tonight we were having a good night, she wasn’t falling over drunk, this was her second glass of wine, not her seventh, which was rare for a Friday night.

“So, how is school going, kid?” Mom asked. “Well, it’s okay, I’m still thinking about dropping out, but I really like this guy…” “Oh, tell me about him!” Mom pressed. I blushed and shyly answered, “He’s a senior, but 19 because he was held back- but listen, mom, he’s really great, and I really want you to think about letting me date him!”

Mom looked at me while sipping her wine at the sink. “Well, I was 16 when I got pregnant with you, and your dad was 19. God knows he was the love of my life. I guess I’ll give him a chance, if I meet him and like him. I smiled and turned bright red, “ Good, because he’s on his way over for game night..let’s play Yahtzee together!”

I was in the closet hunting for Yahtzee when I heard the knock on the door. I rushed to meet Colson at the door, but mom answered first.

“Hi Colson! This is my…” I stopped talking realizing that mom and Colson had locked eyes. “Uh, Casey, thanks for inviting me, but I gotta go.” He looked at me for a second, but continued to gaze back at mom. “Why? Colson what’s going on?? Mom stop being weird!”

Mom looked at me, “ I think we need to talk, honey. Colson, you need to leave.” Mom looked at Colson with angry eyes.

“What is it mom?? Just tell me!”

“Honey, when dad and I got a divorce, he met another man online and started dating him. What I am trying to say is..he’s dating Colson.”