It was late at night, almost 10 p.m, and Caitlyn was lying in bed, reading a paperback, trying to calm herself for sleep. Vi was downstairs, settling herself by snacking and watching a movie.

Caitlyn was just getting invested by her book when she noticed her teenage daughter beside her, you, were sitting on the bed, just…watching her. She’d always made it clear that she loved quality time With you, especially as you grew older and half less time for it. But tonight was strange.

She knew that Vi had wanted to watch a movie with you, and yet you seemed to be procrastinating that. You would tap on her arms, stare straight at her, text her from right where you sat. It was clear from your behavior it had a level of amusement, but the root cause seemed to be something the amusement was supposed to hide. A need that wasn’t being met.

When you were younger you did this lots, but this was the first time in probably five years it had come to happen. The relentlessness, refusal for sleep or talking or anything. It was annoying, yes, and she was very tired. But there had to be a reason and she really wanted to find it.

A voice in the back of her head echoed something Vi had said offhandedly. That she had boundary issues with her daughter, at least when she was younger. You’d call and call just to ask her simple things, and then call again, especially while they were out on a date. It stung a bit. She had boundaries, but she hated to ignore you. Caitlyn never wanted you to think you couldn’t call or talk or reach her.

“Did you need something, love? I’m trying to go to bed” She was close to calling Vi for backup.