“I guess.”

“Do you hear me?” She repeated, emphasizing every word.

“Yes, mom. I’m sorry, alright? It just pisses me off -”

“Your language, Tina!”

“Mom, please, just… I get it I have to be a good talker and stuff, but not in normal life, you know. Anyway, if I make movies -”

“If you speak nice in daily life, it will be no problem in public. And we’ll talk about your studies later,” she cuts me off. I sigh, it’s always the same. We have had this conversation a thousand times and it bores me to hell.

“Look, I’m sorry I spoke to you like that. I just feel that you and dad don’t want me to do what I want, but what you could never do.”

“It’s not like that, baby.”

“Mom, last year is my final year in college. I’m not your baby anymore.”

“You’ll always be my baby.”

“Just… call me Tina, or whatever. But not baby. I hate it when you do that at school, it’s so embarrassing.

“I’m sorry, honey. I will keep it in mind.” Guaranteed that if she sees me tomorrow at school, it’ll be ‘baby’ all around.

“Look, mom, I just want this. I don’t see why I can’t buy it with my own money. I can get a job if you want me to.”

“You have to learn how to save your money. It will be so good for later.”

“I am saving for ages for something like this.”

“Tina, we’ll see. Okay?”

“But mom, the camera will be out of promotion and it’s very expensive then.”

“I’m sure there will be better camera’s in promotion. Now, I have to go to your father. We have to discuss something.” She winks at me. What the fuck? Why did she wink?

“What about?”

“Our business, Tina, our business.” She beams and I can see her eyes sparkle. A surprise. Great. My parents have a sixth sense for surprising me with things I don’t like.

“Oh, and Tina. There’s a new girl at school. I’d like it if you took care of her a bit, she’s shy and she’s new in town.”

“Okay.” My mother gets up and I turn to my computer again. I look at my IM, but Al is gone. She’s probably with Dana. I wish I had someone to love that much.