The Climb

The weight of your mother’s expectations hangs in the air, heavy and suffocating like the unseasonably warm October heat.

“Well, What will it be?” she asks, wringing and folding her cloth napkin with that familiar, impending rhythm. You know what she wants – for you to abandon your plans with your friends and spend time with Lee Martins, a man you find utterly repulsive.

Trying to explain your simple desire to attend a party with your friends feels like navigating an obstacle course. Her judgment is palpable, a silent accusation of your unconventional choices. The conversation quickly devolves into a familiar argument about your lack of a boyfriend and the virtues of men like Lee. You ache for a cigarette, a small rebellion against the suffocating norms of your home.

You manage to escape for a walk, the crunch of leaves under your running shoes a welcome sound. But even outside, the world seems obsessed with pairing off. Then, you spot him – Lee, standing on his porch like the boogeyman. You quicken your pace, seeking refuge in Lorelei’s house, hoping to hide from the persistent suitor and the expectations he represents.