"If he thinks I'm such a terrible mother, then he doesn't get to spend another cent of my hard-earned money. He wants to call it financial abuse? Fine. Now it's real."
I hung up.
Strong independent woman. Then act like one. Stop bleeding me dry.
I had just finished changing the litter for my cat when the phone on the couch started buzzing like it had lost its mind.
I glanced at the caller ID and hit decline.
The ringing started right back up. Again. And again.
I answered, my voice flat. Dylan's voice poured through the speaker.
"Mom, Muriel and I are at the electronics store. She found this amazing TV—over three thousand bucks. It's incredible. You should come check it out."
I let out a cold laugh. "Come check it out? You mean come pay for it?"
"Dylan Lawson, let me make this crystal clear. I don't have the money, and even if I did, I wouldn't spend a dime."
Muriel's shrill voice cut in immediately.
"Who are you threatening? Dylan, are you just going to stand there while your mother tries to intimidate me?!"
Dylan's tone turned frantic.
"Mom! Stop making a scene. Just come buy the TV—it'll smooth things over between you two."