Always Upbeat / All That by Stephanie Perry Moore

how many times this week that you’ve told me no,” Blake said, a little upset with me when I told him I was going to practice instead of hanging out with him.
    â€œNot because I want to, but we have practice.”
    â€œWell, we’re off today. Maybe I’ll come up there and watch you.”
    â€œBlake, it’s not like you can do that. Coach is strict. Our practice is closed. Plus if you were there, you know I wouldn’t be able to concentrate and neither would half of my team because they all think you’re fine,” I said, stoking his ego on purpose.
    â€œAll right, all right, you got me there,” he said, grinning.
    I pleaded, “Let me just get through choreography camp. We’re going to have our time.”
    â€œIs it going to be worth my while … all this waiting you’re making me do?”
    â€œYes, yes, yes,” I said, in a sultry, slow voice.
    â€œAll right then.”
    â€œWhy are you talking to that boy on the phone in that manner?” My mom came into my room, startling me and interrupting the last part of my conversation.
    I hung up on Blake. I knew that would get under his skin. But I did hope he heard my mom talking in the background because I didn’t want him to be too salty.
    â€œMom, you don’t need to be eavesdropping,” I said, trying to divert her thoughts. Her stern look told me she wasn’t going to steer away from the sex talk. “I’m a junior in high school. I have a boyfriend who’s committed to me. I mean, honestly, Mom. We haven’t talked about this, but I got to keep him.”
    â€œSo what does that mean? You are just going to do anything and everything he asks? And where do you think that’s going to lead? You give him an inch, and he’ll want a mile.”
    â€œI don’t understand what that means, Mom.”
    â€œIt means that if you’re only trying to please Blake, and he doesn’t care about your values and morals, then it is never going to be enough. He’s always going to want more. You’ll get hurt.”
    I just wanted to scream, “That’s probably why you and Dad are having problems right about now.” But I knew there was no way I could go there with my mom. I did want to keep my two front teeth. However, maybe that’s what she needed me to say. Maybe I needed to be real with her and call a spade a spade. Calling a spade a spade were words she used all the time. She needed to be concerned about satisfying her guy because it was obvious that she didn’t have a clue. Which didn’t give her a lot of credibility in handing out advice about men.
    â€œWhy are you looking at me like that, Charli? Like you pity me or something. I am older and wiser and have been where you are about to go. These little boys tell you what you want to hear. You young girls give it up too soon and end up wishing you hadn’t or worse—pregnant or with a disease or something.”
    Frustrated, I uttered, “Mom, I got to go to practice. I don’t want a lecture.”
    â€œMaybe what I need to do is take the keys from you, and then you’ll have time to listen to what I have to say. You’re getting way too grown-up.”
    â€œOkay, Mom. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m listening,” I said, definitely not wanting my independence to be taken from me. Being rational, I said, “Just so you know, I told Blake I’m not ready.”
    â€œYeah, but I also heard you on the phone. Actions speak louder than words. It was something in your voice. Something in the way your little body was moving while you were on the telephone. It just makes me think you’re getting a little ahead of yourself. And you know what? After practice, come straight home. You’re not seeing him tonight.”
    â€œI didn’t want to see him tonight, Mom. I’ll be dead tired from choreography camp. I’m with you. I’ve got big