Lane - Her Dirty CEOs

Copyright 2021 by Mika Lane

Headlands Publishing

4200 Park Blvd. #244

Oakland, CA 94602

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NAYA ABERNATHY

Im not going back.

I ate my egg white omelet faster. The sooner I got out of there, the better.

But my mother waved our server over and ordered us a second round of mimosas.

And Dad got another Bloody.

Dammit.

Mom put a hand on my arm, her light pink manicure a ladylike contrast to my own chipped, black one. Oh honey, youre just burned out. A nice spring break will refresh you. A little sunshine and some swimming and youll be excited about finishing the semester.

Is that what she really thought we did on spring break? Splashed around on the beach like Bay Watch or something? Was she completely unaware of the copious amounts of alcohol consumed and hooking-up that went on?

Dad sat back in his chair, rubbing his stomach.

Yeah, brunch at the clubmy parents club, where I was a regular parasite when I was home from schoolreally was that good. I came most Sundays, when my dad would send a car to my college to transport me back to the city for the day, to sponge and try to get rid of my Saturday night hangover.

But it was time for brunch to come to a close. I had things to do with my day, not least of which was catching up with my other friends who were home for the weekend, as well as my BFF Sandra, who was permanently home for the weekend.

Shed dropped out of college like I was about to do. Shed be so happy to have some company.

My parents, not so much. So I was breaking it to them gently, that I wasnt home just for the weekend. I was here to stay!

Id been packing up my dorm room all week. Id handled the administrative tasks of withdrawing, canceled my room and board contract, told my roommate I was bailing on her, and loaded up the car my dad sent to pick me up. The driver raised an eyebrow, having expected this to be a quick day trip for me, but said nothing, and just packed the trunk.

It was pretty clear to anyone who saw Id gathered all my belongings that I wasnt going back. He brought all my stuff to our apartment via the service entrance so the housekeeper could dump it in my room. No reason to alert Mom and Dad any sooner than I had to.

Hey, howd you make out in that economics class we got you the tutor for? He came very highly recommended, Dad said, munching on the celery from his Bloody.

Had he heard what Id just said?

Besides that, I didnt know where my dad got his recommendations, but the awesome tutor hed gotten me was a huge pothead, who I also might have slept with once. Or twice.

Not sure wed ever even discussed econ.

Um, he was good, Dad. But it really doesnt matter now.

My father leaned onto the table once his plate was cleared and folded his hands like he was entering into an important negotiation.

I guess he was.

Why? What do you mean the tutor doesnt matter?

Okay. I knew this wasnt going to be easy. But really?

Because, Dad, I repeated patiently, Im not going back. Like I just said.

He frowned at me like Id claimed the world was flat. As though my dropping out of college was just not consistent with everything he knew and believed about me.

I could see that.

I gave it a lot of thought. Its not for me. Just too institutional. I want to experience life.

Mom gulped what was left of her mimosa and waved the waiter away when he indicated she might want another.

Her lipstick was still perfectly intact.

Yeah, no. I wasnt like them. I loved them, of course. But I was a free spirit. I had to find my own path.

Dad sighed deeply. I understand, honey, that school is not always fun. It can be challenging and a lot of work. But that doesnt mean you can just up and quit.

He said the up and quit part between gritted teeth. Thats when I realized he was actually pissed and was trying to keep it together.

I know youre disappointed, Dad. Im sorry. But I have to be true to myself.

And if I had to sit through another boring-ass lecture on economicsor sociology, history, or biologyI was going to totally lose my mind.

I shrugged. Not sure what else to say. College just isnt working for me.

Does this have something to do with the guy you were dating? Mom asked, patting my hand. Did he break your heart or something?

I waved away her concern. Who? Oh, the one I brought to brunch last month? Oh god no. That was really just about sex.

Great sex, actually. But Id spare my parents that detail.

Mom looked at Dad. She was letting him take the lead on this one.

You know, Naya, there are lots of things that dont work for me. Like getting up at five thirty every morning to go to work. Like paying property taxes. Like getting a colonoscopy. But I fucking do them.

Moms eyes widened. It wasnt every day that Dad dropped the F-bomb.

Honey, you dont have to she started to say.

But he held his hand up to stop her. Yola, Ive got this.

I got it, too. They wanted to see me as a responsible adult. I could do that.

He looked around the dining room at the other people having eggs benedict with their children who were not the massive disappointment I was. His silence was excruciating, and if I didnt get out of there in two minutes, Id be ordering another mimosa. Or a shot of tequila.

Naya, if youre not in school, youre going to have to work, he said matter-of-factly.

Mom nodded in agreement, which was lame. The last time shed had a freaking job was when she was a teenager.

I held my hand up. I had my shit figured out. No worries there, Dad. I have something lined up.

Id known to think this through. I needed them to see my decision wasnt capricious and that I had something that resembled a plan.

My parents loved plans. Unfortunately, that was a life skill where I often fell short. But hell, I was only twenty-one. I had plenty of time to learn.

So, I was pleased that for once, Id anticipated their concerns and was prepared to address them.

Adulting. It was exhausting.

Sandra said I could get a part-time job at her moms art gallery. I probably wouldnt get paid, but Id be getting great experience.