After placing the boxes on the driveway and dusting the furniture in the living room, it was time for dinner. Jennifer sat in the dining room with her mother sitting across her. Tonight they were having ravioli, Jennifer’s favorite. She happily munched down her meal while her mother brushing off the table. Jennifer looked at her and gave out a small chuckle.
“Mom,” she said, “We’re having dinner now, so you can stop brushing the table with your hand.”
“Sorry, sweetie,” her mother said, “I was cleaning all day since you left for school this morning. Force of habit I guess.”
Jennifer smiled a bit and continued with her meal.
“Oh, before I forget,” her mother stated, “Tomorrow I’m having a day off, so I want you to help me clean the windows for me.”
“What?” her daughter said in a furious tone, “Mom, I wanted to go to the mall tomorrow and hang out with my friends.”
“Jennifer, we don’t raise our voices at the table,” her mother scolded her, “And besides, you can always go the next day.”
“But what if you’re not going to work that day?” Jennifer asked, still in a raised voice, “Every March you always make me clean this house. You never let me have any fun at all. It’s Spring Break; I should be relaxing, not playing maid service with you!”
“Jennifer Miranda Taylor,” her mother said sternly, “Quiet down this instant. You know that a tidy house is of top priority. Besides you’re 18, it’s time you learn that you should be an adult.”
Jennifer was now mad inside. So mad, that she said the words that shocked her mother, “Well sorry, mothef…”
Her mother let out a huge gasp at what her daughter just said. Jennifer instantly realized what she said and covered her mouth.
“That’s it, young lady,” she said to her daughter in an angry tone, “You are grounded! You’ll be spending Spring Break in your room. Now go upstairs immediately.”
Jennifer got up and stomped her way up to her room. Before she left the room, she turned to her mother and said, “I hate being an adult.” She continued to her room, leaving her mother looking at her dinner with guilt.