A Glance at a Broken Relationship

Andrea: Julie! Finally, you picked up. I’ve been calling you this whole week.

Julie: Sorry mom. I’ve been meaning to call you. I just swamped the whole week. Today is my only break day.

Andrea: It’s fine. How is life at college? Are you passing your classes so far?

Julie: It’s okay. How are Anne and Jack?

Andrea: They miss you. They have to do the chores so they want you back so you could do it for them.

Anna: I miss you, Julie. Jack keeps telling me to wash the dishes but I keep telling him that it’s a shared job.

Julie: The dishes are in your and Jack’s hands. Don’t let them down. Trust me, I'll know when you do.

Andrea: Leave Anna, I need to talk to your sister.

Anna: Ok ok. I’m leaving.

Julie (laughs): That is so classic of them. Tell them to suck it up till November. Anyways mother, was that the only reason you called?

Andrea: Yeah, why else would I call? Can’t I call my third child and ask her how she is doing?

Julie: Woah dear mother. No need for you to sound defensive. I’m just asking.

Andrea: I’m not acting defensively.

Julie (long pause): Is there something going on that I should know about? You’re saying there is nothing wrong, but your voice says otherwise.

Andrea: If you must know, I met someone. I called to let you know that he would come during Thanksgiving.

Julie: Oh. Well if that’s the case, I’m going to need some time to pack so I could be there right away. Let me guess, he’s someone special? Just letting you know in advance, I might stay at a friend's house. 

Andrea: Julie, why are you being sarcastic?

Julie: Whatever do you mean, mother?

Andrea: Julie-

Julie: You always do this mom. What do you expect me to do? Welcome him with open arms? I’ve done that about five times. I do not want there to be a sixth.

Andrea: This time it's different. You’ll see.

Jule: How? Is he going to have rugged good looks, confidence, charm for days, and last but not least, let me guess, a lawyer this time?

Andrea: What’s that supposed to mean?

Julie: It means you have a type mother. There isn’t anything wrong with that. It just means this isn't going to be different. 

Andrea: That’s no way to talk to your mother. 

Julie: You’re right. I am sorry. Can we change the subject? How’s dad?

Andrea: How would I know? 

Julie: Because you guys know everything about each other. You call each other about everything. And, I mean, he is the other ½ of my parent. Just because you’re divorced doesn’t mean you should cut ties with each other. Did you even tell him about your new lover? Or are you avoiding him?

Andrea: Who said anything about avoiding? And I thought you wanted to change the subject?

Julie: I am. I’m talking about dad now.

Andrea: Julie, we have to talk about Richard.

Julie: Who is Richard?

Andrea: The man I’m seeing.

Julie: Wow, mother. If that’s not the whitest name ever. Right there next to Brian. So, was I right? Is he a lawyer? Is he a lawyer at your firm?

Andrea: Seriously Julie? Why are you acting like this? You haven’t met the guy yet. And yes, he is.

Julie: Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you haven’t even mentioned this guy to dad yet. Do you think dad would be happy that you haven’t told him about your new beau? And wouldn’t there be a conflict of interest when you new lovebirds call it split?

Andrea: I don’t think your dad would care that I am with someone new. Is this what this has been about? Your dad?

Julie: What about dad?

Andrea: Julie, you have to understand that your father and I are never getting back together.

Julie: Mom what are you talking about-

Andrea: Let me finish Jules. It has been more than two years since we divorced. We are still good friends, your father and I, best friends even. But we don’t complement each other relationship-wise. You have to stop acting like this. At least meet Richard before you make any snark judgments. 

Julie: Acting like what mother? Isn’t what I’m saying accurate? 

Andrea: A child. You’re acting like Jack.

Julie: I am doing nothing of the sort.

Andrea: Julie Amelia Marshall, stop tiptoeing around and talk to me.

Julie: My full name mother? You must be really furious then.

Andrea: Seriously Julia, be serious for once.

Julie: Fine, you want me to give you a reason I'm acting this way? Maybe it’s the first time we talked in months and you haven’t asked me how I’ve been. I mean I know that our relationship is frail, but at this point, it might be too late for repair.

Andrea: I asked if you're fine.

Julie: No mother, you asked if I’m passing my classes. You should've pry more. Isn't what mothers do? My life is a mess right now. I know it might be a little premature to say but that’s how I feel. I’ve been here for three months and I have no friends. I tried so hard to keep it together, that’s why I couldn't pick up when you called. I felt ashamed.

Andrea: Life isn’t all about friends honey. We sent you there to get a degree.

Julie: I know mother, but I want friends. Is that so bad. All my high school friends rarely talk to me, which makes me wonder if they were my friends to begin with. All my high school life, I was excluded from everything, even from my own friend group. They would hang out together without me. I felt really hurt by that, but I could never tell them that because I was scared they would leave me. I came to Pennsylvania because I wanted to branch out, you know? Become a different person. A more likable person. But so far, nothing has happened to me. My roommate won’t even talk to me when I try to talk to her. I've been stuck at my dorm all day. To put the cherry on top, I’m failing two of my classes.

Andrea: You’re failing your classes?

Julie: I have anxiety, mother. I might be alone forever, and that’s what you got from my rant?

Andrea: Well you are a psychology major. Aren’t you supposed to know if you have anxiety or not?

Julie: You’re not funny mom.

Andrea: Stop crying Julie, it’s okay. I’m sorry. You know I’m not used to this. Your father was the one who usually comforted you guys. I’m sure you’re going to be fine. Plus you’re not alone, you have us.

Julie: That’s nice advice mom, but how is it going to help me now?

Andrea: Look Julie, you’re amazing, okay? When you find your people, you’ll have tons of amazing stories to tell them. Remember 5th grade?

Julie: Oh no, not that story mother. Please don’t.

Andrea: Remember when you were part of the stage crew for the Wizard of Oz? Everything was going smoothly until it was closing time but the curtains wouldn’t close. You got in front of the stage and screamed at the boy in charge of the curtains. The poor boy nearly peed on his pants.

Julie: Nearly? He did pee on his pants.

Andrea: That was hilarious. 

Julie: Yeah it was until I got suspended. And you and dad were pretty pissed at me.

Andrea: Let me tell you a secret. When we were about to sleep, your father started laughing. I asked why and guess why he was laughing.

Julie: Yeah Yeah, I’m hilarious.

Andrea: Don’t worry about friends Julie. I used to have the same thoughts as you in college. What if I end up alone? What if I never fulfilled my true college experience?

Julie: Like mother, like daughter I guess.

Andrea: Trust me, you have nothing to worry about. You are going to get people who understand and love you for who you are. I mean, we do. And for the classes-

Julie: I’m not failing any of my classes. I just said that to rile you up. You know me, I’m the boss when it comes to studying. And since I happen to not have any friends at the moment, I guess I’m coming home during Thanksgiving.

Andrea: I guess you will. One question though, if you weren’t coming during Thanksgiving, where would you have stayed?

Julie: I don’t know. Figured I would stay at a hotel or something.

Andrea: I can’t wait for you to meet Richard.

Julie: Who?

Andrea: Seriously Jules?

Julie: I’m kidding mom. I’m a comedian, remember. Love you. Hopefully, Richard loves you more.

Andrea: I love you too. And trust me, he does.

Julie: Still your teenage daughter mom. 

Andrea: I really hope you like him.

Julie: If you like him, I'm sure he's perfect. Thank you for the talk. You have no idea how much I needed it. Thank you for being there for me mom.

Andrea: Always and forever babe.