Chapter 6

Tara never understood her mother's interest in her life. She had always been irritated at her mother for getting to know more about what was going on in her life. She had sometimes even hated her mother for it; and tonight was one such night. Tara knew Naomi would ask something about Dan. But she had hoped it would be later, when she had settled in. Not during supper which she really needed. She was really enjoying eating the pasta on her plate when her mother dropped the bomb.

Tara's fork was half-way to her mouth when her mother revealed her thoughts of Dan and her. Tara knew Naomi liked Dan, but the fact that she had thought Dan would be the one to marry Tara was too shocking for her.

Tara could see her hand holding the fork tremble, though she felt nothing. She slowly placed the fork on the table and tried to concentrate on what she should say. Even while trying to collect her thoughts, Tara was well aware of the anger that was coursing through her. No one knew from whom she got her temper, but it was something slow to rise, but when it did it was colossal.

Instead of looking at her mother, Tara focused her gaze on her plate; the half-eaten pasta did not look tempting now. She asked in a low, but cold voice,

"Why do you always do this?"

Naomi was startled. She was used to her daughter getting angry at her for wanting to know more about what was going on in her life. There always were occasional quarrels which ended with Tara shouting at her. But, this felt different. She couldn't pinpoint on what was wrong, but something was amiss. And since she could not understand what it was, it irritated her.

"Why do you always have to snap at me? You are my daughter, and it is common for mothers to have certain expectations." Naomi replied

Tara had thought that she would not be shocked further that night, but she was wrong. Her mother behaving this way was not something she thought she would see.