“I quit,” Cass said this in a calm voice, as if the placid tone could ward off the shockwaves that erupted at this statement.

Her mother’s eyes gleamed, and her father's brow scrunched. At the same time, they both said, “What do you mean you quit--” and, “Stupid girl!”

Her mother was the one who had cut straight to the matter of things. See, Cass’s job was a position she’d acquired after the long process of college, as well as certifications, interviews, and competition among other able candidates.

“How are we going to survive without you?” her mother’s tone went up an octave. In the past two years, the family had relied on Cass’s income, and their lifestyle had gone from dirt poor to comfortable middle class.

“You managed while I was in college, and all that time before. And I do plan on giving you some of my savings,” Cass said.

“So what are you going to do?” her mother asked.

Cass’s father watched the exchange with weary eyes. He didn’t want to get into it if he didn’t have to.

“I plan,” and Cass pressed her shoulders back, “to take a couple months off to travel.”

Her mother laughed, and laughed.

“Oh, Cass,” she said, “I’m not sure why you’re joking around like this, but--” and she laughed again.

“I’m serious,” Cass said, and pulled out her flight confirmation on her phone.

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Her mother took one look, and her cheer left her. Her face grew a shade paler.

“Don’t think I’m not coming back,” Cass said, “I wouldn’t do that.”

“Why Puerto Rico?” her father asked, as he squinted to read the print on her phone.

“Neal recommended it, and I liked how it sounded.” Neal was Cass’s travel junky cousin.

Cass’s mother had composed herself, and began her volley of questions again, “What will you do when you come back? Will any company take you?”

“I have a position lined up for when I come back.”

“Where?”

“In the city.”

“You’re going to move out?” Her mother's voice began to rise again.

Cass winced. She hadn’t wanted to drop so many bombshells in one sitting.

“Yes.”

“Oh, Cass,” and her mother’s eyes filled with tears, “You stupid girl.”

“Mom, it’s going to be okay,” Cass stood up and hugged her mother, “I won’t let things go back to the way there were, I promise. I just need to take this time to become independent.”

But her mother was losing it, and the hands she had wrapped around Cass started slapping her back, “You stupid girl,” she said again, and the wailed, “I don’t understand why you’re doing this all of a sudden!”

It’s exactly because you’re like this, Cass thought. You do love me, and you do try, but you’re a drama queen. It’s an extra stress, being around you all the time. You don’t like when I date, and you can’t stand it when I’m out late, and you sometimes treat me like I’m twelve.

“It’ll be okay,” Cass said again, and moved back to catch her mother’s hands.

“Mom, Dad,” she squeezed her mother’s fingers,and met her father's eyes, “I love you both. And I’m not abandoning you. I will come back, and I will continue to support you.”

“Stupid girl,” and her mother sniffed, “It won’t be the same.”

“You’re right. It won’t,” Cass said, “it’'ll be better for all us. And just think--worst case scenario, I move back home and start job hunting again.”

“Okay,” her mother wiped her eyes, “I hope you know what you’re doing. Be careful.”

“I will. I promise.”