Green Glass

Mother and daughter were engaged in a rather heated discourse. Kathleen Reynolds, the single mother who had raised Jenny by herself most of her life felt like she was losing control. It had been quite a challenge to provide for them when her husband Joseph had died. There was some life insurance, but it also meant that she would eventually have to find a job. Since Jenny was in elementary school at the time, Kathleen did not feel quite ready to leave her alone. By the time Jenny was in junior high, Kathleen was less hesitant to be gone, and the money was beginning to get tight. But it also meant that she had less time to spend with her only child. She had found a job working in the local department store and over the years had worked her way up to be manager of her department. She had come to love her work, and was so proud of Jenny as she moved through her teenage years without any major trauma. Now that she was a college graduate, Kathleen had assumed that Jenny would come home and find a local position. However, Jenny had other ideas. Kathleen Reynolds, forty-seven, blonde hair now streaked with grey, had the same petite stature as her daughter. Dressed in her white shirt and black pants from work, she stood with hands on hips trying to stress her argument to her grown daughter that moving to Rosemont, fifty miles away, was not necessary. Jenny could live at home now that she had graduated from college, and find a job here in Eastfield. “But, Mom, I’m a grown woman now. I need my space. Besides, the job in the city pays more than enough for my rent and expenses,” Jenny said for the fourth time. She was dressed in casual slacks and a long-sleeved t-shirt. Her blonde hair done up in a ponytail, her five-foot-five frame stretching as tall as she could make herself to emphasize her grown-up status. This had been her wardrobe since returning home after graduation, but she was ready to move into the world of real working women, suits and all. “Yes, I know that, Jenny, but why must you go so far away for a job. Certainly here in town there are positions that are equally as challenging. Why waste your money on rent when you can live here. I would only ask a small pittance for room and board, and you’d have the run of the place. We live on the bus line, but my car would be available for you to use whenever you needed it, and we’d have a great time being together.” Kathleen tried every argument in her arsenal to try to convince her only daughter not to leave home permanently. It was the same argument they had had when Jenny wanted to go away to college. Kathleen had insisted that the local community college was sufficient for her degree, but Jenny equally insisted that she wanted to go to Westwood Christian College in Cedar Sound. It was only a hundred and fifty miles away, too far to commute, but close enough that she could come home often. Since Jenny’s dad had died, her mom had devoted her life to taking care of Jenny, nearly to the point of smothering her. While Jenny loved her mom dearly, she really did want to prove to both of them that she could take care of herself. The research and development firm expected their employees to be college graduates, and the work sounded very challenging when she interviewed for it over a week ago. Apparently, they were impressed with her because they offered her the job on the spot. They were willing to give her two weeks to find an apartment and get settled before beginning her new assignment. Although Kathleen was not happy with the outcome of their discussion, she had to admit, if only to herself, that Jenny really was a young woman with a sound head on her shoulders. After all, she had raised her, hadn’t she? It was the least she could expect from this wonderful, independent daughter. They finally came to the decision that Jenny could do as she wished, but Kathleen reminded her that the door would always be open for her if she wanted to return home. It had been hard enough sending her off to college, but in reality, the city was not that far away, and Jenny had assured her that she would come home sometimes for a weekend and for holidays. “Thanks, Mom, for understanding,” Jenny said with a hug. “You know that I love you, but that I have to try my wings as a grown-up.” The thought was a bit scary, but exciting just the same. “Yes, I do understand, but it’s just that I guess I wasn’t really ready to let you go completely. You won’t forget me, will you?” she asked quietly. “Oh, Mom, of course not! I’m not moving across the country, just into the city. Once I get my own place, you can come visit me, too. It’s time for you to have your own life. You’ve been wonderful, sacrificing for me all these years, but now it’s time for you to go out and enjoy something you’ve always wanted to do, or go somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit. Nothing is stopping you,” Jenny finished with another hug. “First things first, young lady! Let’s see you settled into a new apartment and successful on your new job. Then, maybe, I’ll think about taking that train trip I’ve had in the back of my mind for a while.” “Go for it, Mom. What better time than now. You are finally free of your duties as my caretaker!” Jenny laughed. “Never,” cried Kathleen. “I’ll always be your mom, and will always care about you. Just not quite as closely as before. I think I am finally seeing that you can take care of yourself!”