Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Hmph! (03/04/10)
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TITLE: It's Just A Movie | Previous Challenge Entry
By Leah Nichols
03/05/10 -
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Tina stood in the doorway. "Jocey, I'm only saying, it's for your own good."
"Mo-THER, I am fourteen!" Jocelyn glared. "Don't I have the right now to pick how I'm going to spend my time or money? It's all part of being a teenager, you know."
"I know," Tina said. "I was one, too, you know. And I know just how easy it is to make dumb choices."
"Puh-LEEZ, Mother. You don't have to be constantly nagging about that," Jocelyn said. "It's just a movie. With my friends - "
"Your friends I don't really trust," Tina interrupted. "Ashley and Tiffani's moms let them do whatever the heck they want, without a thought to the consequences." She silently prayed. God, please help me talk to her, just this once. Don't let me lose her!
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. "As if a stupid movie has consequences."
"Spring Break Axe Murderer? What kind of crap is that anyways?" Tina folded her arms.
"You don't understand, anyways. It's not even scary. It's a spoof, you know, s'posed to be funny?" Jocelyn leaned back into the couch. "Hmph! It's seriously impossible to talk to you about anything anymore."
Tina closed her eyes, raising a hand to her head. It's just a stage. It's just a stage. All teenagers argue and press limits. She sighed. "Jocey, just because everyone else does it - "
Jocelyn interrupted. "Yeah - everyone! Did I tell you that absolutely anyone who is anyone is gonna be there tonight? Except for me, because my sanctimonious mom won't let me. Hmph!"
"Since when did you ever use the word 'sanctimonious'? And I am not a saint. You of all people should know that," Tina said.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. My mom got herself knocked up at seventeen. So as a result, I will never ever ever date anyone ever."
Tina clenched her fists, then slowly released them. It's just a stage. Gosh, she's exactly like me at fourteen. The revelation shook her.
"Jocey, I know how important friendships are for teenagers."
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. "Hmph!"
"And I know how doing things with others is important for friendships."
"You got a point here?" Jocelyn said. "Or are you just gonna give me another sermon of why I can't go to the movies, ever?"
"Don't press it, Jocelyn. You're already on thin ice." Tina paused, breathing slowly to calm herself. I just can't lose her, not for a silly argument like this.
"Hmph!" Jocelyn turned her head, staring out the window at nothing in particular.
It's just a movie. Not worth losing friendships over, especially with my only child. I can take her myself, and we can talk about life and reality and how movies aren't everything. "If I drive you and pick you up, you can go," Tina said.
Jocelyn turned back toward her. "What?"
"You can go."
"For reals?" She sat up straight on the couch. "You're serious?"
Tina nodded. "But I am taking you. I don't trust any of those other kids to be responsible."
"That's totally fine!" Jocelyn stared at her. "I can't believe you're actually letting me go."
"Really? Cause I can go back to saying you can't," Tina said.
"No, no, no - I definitely want to go. I just; I just figured we'd argue about it all night and you'd still insist I'd do things your way," Jocelyn said. "I'm just surprised, is all."
Tina shook her head. "I am a normal human being, you know. Just 'cause I'm a mom doesn't make me completely unreasonable."
"Psh - yeah! Most of the time you are, but wow, I'm like, wow. Thanks, Mom!" Jocelyn quickly pushed up from the couch and stepped forward to hug her.
Tina clutched her only child, wishing she was four and not fourteen. My little baby, growing up so fast!
When she broke off, Jocelyn's face glowed with a smile. "Just give me a few minutes to get ready, Mom. We can even make it a fun girl's night out together - do dinner and everything!"
As Jocelyn ran to her room, Tina sank into the recliner. God, thank You I haven't lost her yet. Please help me teach her the lessons she needs to learn, and just, yeah, help. She sighed. And yeah, thanks.
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