Boyfriend problems?

You decide you probably should ask Amber if she’s having boyfriend problems, but you don’t want to just come right out with it. You decide to work your way up to the question. “How’s school going?” you ask.

“It’s going well,” she answers. “I have good classes, and I’m getting good As. You know, the profs are challenging me, and I have to work for my grades.” Her tone is oddly unenthusiastic. You try asking about specific classes, but you don’t get very far. Then you try asking after her friends. You’ve met her best friend, Bethany, any number of times; she’s a little spitfire. She might be five-foot-nothing in heels, but she has enough energy for three people, and her personality can fill a room. Amber only gives you short answers to your questions, though you do find out that Bethany and her boyfriend have gotten very serious. There’s an odd note in her voice as she tells you that, which gives you an opening.

“Your mother—“ you begin, but Amber interrupts you. “My mother’s an idiot,” she says bluntly. “Of course, if she weren't, she wouldn't have had me, so I guess I can't complain too loud. But . . . oh, never mind, you don't need to hear me rant at you about Mom. Heaven only knows you've heard enough of that already.” After a few moments, she adds, “I try to be a good daughter, but she makes it really hard sometimes.” Something’s really eating her. Lacking any better ideas for what to do about it, you press on.

“Let me start over,” you say. “Do you have a boyfriend right now?”

“No one right now,” Amber says. “I’ve dated, but I’ve never found the right person. Or at least, I've never dated the right person.” She drops her head and her body tenses up even more. She looks like she could use something to relax her.