GB96 s2 - Working Girl Part 4

“And why the hell not?” you ask, bristling.

“Because it’s not smart,” she replies, unimpressed. “Carla, I don’t have a problem with you being with girls. But it was different in California. This is Florida. I need you to be smart and safe.”

“I don’t understand.”

She sighs, resting her chin on her hand. “You’re still a kid. You’re legally an adult, but you’re a child. You’re not paying attention. There’s a municipal ordinance that outlaws vibrators, Carla. Patty just got basically excommunicated from Second Baptist because she said that she was thinking about getting an abortion. A couple of co-eds from that sorority just caught a public indecency charge for holding hands at the swimming pool. Nobody’s coming after high school students, but that’s not you anymore, Carla. Now you’re a nonwhite lesbian in the least tolerant town in America. But this isn’t the nineteenth century. You and Stef can’t move in together and pretend to be sisters. You can pretend to be roommates, but do you think that’s going to work? You’ll have neighbors. Your neighbors have ears.”

“Oh, come on. We don’t fuck when you’re here,” you say, embarrassed.

“This is what I’m talking about! I’ve been here at least three times when you two were screwing your brains out. I can’t believe you didn’t wake up the whole neighborhood. If you two move in together without college or another roommate, or something to give you cover it’s going to attract attention. And that brings risk,” your mother says, tapping the table to emphasize her point. “You’ve never had to worry about the police before.”

“What do they have to do with this? I don’t care if prudes don’t like me,” you say.

“You don’t understand.” Your mother shakes her head. “Listen to me, Carla. I’ll co-sign for you. I’ll help however I can. I guess I can’t stop you, but I don’t want you doing something stupid. You do not realize how serious things can get. The police here…” She trails off, making a face. “They are not the best, baby.”

“CCL gets away with it,” you point out.

“They’re outside the city limits. Even they have to be careful when they come into town. And if you want to go to college and join that sorority, I will support you a hundred percent,” your mother says.

“Yeesh,” you mutter.

“So can I call the lady? About the place?”

Gosh. Your mom is doing everything but packing for you. You shake your head to clear it. You take several deep breaths. Everything that your mom says makes sense, but the idea of moving in with Stef is so hard to let go of. You want to be with her.