Just Breathe Again by Mia Villano Page B

and get her pregnant at nineteen. Back then, two young people getting pregnant before marriage was considered an unforgiveable scandal. With both of their parents being strict Catholics, their only choice was marriage. The two of them were not in love, and the marriage should have not happened. Jeannie considered herself a burden to her parents and the reason they were so unhappy. Their unhappiness showed throughout their entire marriage. Her father was a wealthy investor so she didn’t do without anything, except the love parents were to give their children unconditionally. They bought her everything she needed, sent her on vacations, and enrolled her in everything they thought would keep her busy. No one ever kissed her, hugged her, or spent much time with her like most parents. Jeannie couldn’t remember being able to go to her dad and talk to him like most father and daughters. She didn’t have a heart to heart with her mom about boys, sex, or life in general. Those types of talks made her mom uncomfortable and vulnerable. She didn’t let Jeannie see her cry, and she rarely laughed.
      Jeannie’s mom, didn’t remarry, sat on a bunch of money, and she seemed to have even less time for her daughter and grandchildren as she got older. She traveled, shopped, or remodeled the house and didn’t have an interest in anything else. Her new obsession became Botox and she insisted Jeannie get work done before she turned forty. She also suggested it wouldn’t hurt her to consider a tummy tuck, since she had not gotten her figure completely back. Jeannie swore to herself she wouldn’t turn into her as she got older. Being with her at any time proved to be a nightmare for Jeannie. This time was going to be even worse.
      When she arrived, she brought more gifts than Santa Claus. Victoria bought out the stores before she came. Not only did she buy gifts for Lydia and Michael, but Jeannie as well. Michael was ecstatic over a new video game system with at least, ten games included. She bought Marsha a gift certificate for a day at the spa. For Jeannie, Victoria bought her new clothes and a gift certificate to get her hair and nails done. Jeannie could have cared less. The biggest amount of gifts were for Lydia. Victoria bought her pajamas in different colors with matching slippers, books teen girls were reading, an mp3 player, and DVDs of the latest movies. All the gifts were a sure sign of Victoria’s guilt.
      “I didn’t know what she could use, Jeannie,” she said, wiping her nose. 
      “It’s fine, Mom. I know when she wakes up, she’ll love them,” said Jeannie, sitting with her daughter while rubbing her hand. Jeannie didn’t want to argue with her. Victoria pulled up a chair and sat with them crying. Jeannie was in no mood to worry about putting her mom at ease. She had the strength to keep her daughter comfortable and not concern herself with anyone else. 
      As her mom wiped her nose, she asked about dinner plans. “What are you doing about dinner tonight, Jeannie?”
      “I don’t know. I haven’t even thought that far. I’m sure Michael will eat with John and Marsha, and I’ll make a sandwich. If Lydia wakes up and wants something, I go get her whatever she asks for. The nurse said whatever she asks for, give it to her. Last night she asked for mashed potatoes and corn. It depends what she can tolerate,” said Jeannie, still staring at her daughter. 
      “Why don’t I get dinner tonight? I can order something from a restaurant, go pick it up, and bring dinner back.”
      “Its fine, Mom. You don’t have to keep buying things. The gifts were enough.”
      “I’m not buying to buy them, Jeannie. I love you and I bought gifts,” said Victoria.
      “Loving someone, Mom is not buying them. Loving someone is being there with them when they need you.” Jeannie stopped herself and wished she wouldn’t have said anything. Her mom would get mad or have her feelings hurt at the