Off Her Rocker. Jennifer Archer

return to the closet and start pulling out clothes.

      “Does Troy know you’re coming?”

      “I want to surprise him.”

      Her laugh is sharp. “Oh, he’ll be surprised all right. Get ready for a fight.”

      “He’ll be relieved.”

      “What about the dinner party for Carl’s new account?”

      Why, oh why, did I tell my mother about that? “What about it? It’s a week from Friday.”

      “He needs you here while he’s preparing that presentation, Dana. Carl shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not you’ll have everything ready for the dinner party. He needs your moral support.”

      “What do you want me to do? Pull out some pom-poms and do a cheer every night?” Not that Carl wouldn’t like that, but it’s not happening.

      “Cook him well-balanced meals. Give him back rubs. It’s a very big deal for him, you know that. For you, too. It’s your financial future we’re talking about.”

      “Carl will be so busy he won’t even miss me, I promise you. And I’ll be home in plenty of time.”

      Mother watches me pack. When I finish, I close the suitcase and dial Carl’s number.

      “Troy will balk if you just show up,” he says.

      “He’ll be happy.”

      “I was an eighteen-year-old boy once. I know what I’m talking about, Dana. Trust me—he won’t be happy.”

      “I know our son. We have a closer relationship than you had with your mother. He actually likes me.”

      Carl sighs. “That’s a long drive alone. Can’t you wait and fly out in the morning?”

      “I don’t want to wait. Besides, the ticket costs a fortune last minute.”

      Giving up, Carl tells me to be careful. Mother mumbles something, but I don’t hear what she says.

      Outside the window, the baby squirrel runs up the tree trunk, followed by Tizzy. They pause on a bough and she holds out her tiny paws to offer him something. I smile. It’s probably an acorn for his growling stomach.