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The couch sagged as Joan sat beside her “He must think you’re more than a piece of ass if he took you ho”

Heather let out a horrified laugh “‘Piece of ass,’ Mo, and Heather opened her eyes and turned her head toward her mom, surprised to see a sad expression on her face

Her mother was one of those chronically happy people; always deterht side, quick to lose her teet

“I want to talk to you about Thanksgiving,” Joan said

Heather stilled “Okay?”

“I know you were upset with ot over it Really”

She was like her otten into the whole “holding a grudge” thing Way too exhausting

“May I speak frankly, dear?” Joan asked

Heather blinked “Depends May I havefor the bottle ofthe to co about it for a while, and I love you, so it needs to be said”

Heather took a sip of wine and waited, more curious than she was tense Her h-love type More the free-love, really

“I worry that you rely too much on external validation”

Heather blinked in surprise External validation? Not her mom’s usual MO, and she wondered if she’d seen it on Oprah

“Explain,” Heather said slowly

Her mom reached out and took Heather’s hand “I love you to death I love that you love New York, I love that you chased your dreams But, Heather, sweetie, New York has always been your dream Not mine”