Mom, have you seen my red tank top? Who: Esme and Alice Cullen When: Mid-June Where: The Cullen Household What: Mother/Teenage Daughter interactions Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Esme was puttering around the house cleaning and making sure everything was tidy. She’d taken on an extra teaching class that week so she hadn’t been at home as much and she worried that the house would look a state. Especially with some of her children still living at home. It seemed they didn’t just make a mess when they were toddlers or teenagers. Though she had to admit she loved it. The house felt more like home when everybody was coming and going; Emmett’s car parts on the kitchen table, Carlisle’s medical texts in his study and Alice’s clothes spread anywhere and everywhere.
She smiled as she flicked on the radio and starting humming along as she started on the kitchen.
Speaking of Alice’s clothes... “Mom, have you seen my red tank top?” The teenager’s voice came into the kitchen before the pixish girl did, bouncing and smiling a bit even though she was missing one of her (currently) favorite shirts. “I swear I had it when I was doing a load of red laundry.”
Alice Cullen had only graduated from High School a week ago, but she was already getting bored and restless hanging around the house. Some of her friends had already gone off to college, some to the military, some to their last summer of camp, so she had very little to do all day besides make a mess with her clothes, putter on her computer, and lounge around complaining about daytime television.
"Its on the ironing pile" Esme informed her daughter with a smile, "Do you need it for today?" she asked, knowing that ironing wasn't the favorite chore of any of her children. "It would be a nice interview top, smart casual I think is the term" she added with a sneaky smile.
Alice stopped dead in her tracks. “...interview? I was just gonna go to the movies or something. It doesn’t need to be ironed for that...” Maybe she’d go pester Edward and Bella. They probably needed a third set of arms to help hold Nessie for a while. She could take her niece out in one of those cute outfits she’d bought for her.
“Oh I see” Esme nodded innocently, “Then you’re right you don’t need it ironing for that. Do let me know when you do have any interviews won’t you, I can iron your outfit for you. I did the same for your siblings when they got their first summer job after high school” she added in a way only a mum can.
Alice very nearly rolled her eyes. “It’s only been a week, Mom. Can’t I have a little freedom before I’m tied down to a desk for the rest of my life?” She said, somewhat ironically. Just a few weeks ago she’d been complaining about being chained to a desk for school. Now she was complaining about being chained to a desk for work.
“Of course sweetheart” Esme smiled at her daughter, “I just wouldn’t want you to get bored at home. You can’t spend all your time at the movies or at Edwards you know” Carlisle and Esme had always instilled responsibility and a good work ethic in their children and none of them were afraid of hard work. They never wanted for anything growing up in the Cullen household but they didn’t expect things to be handed to them either.
“Is that a challenge?” Alice asked, her face turning into a bit of a smirk. “I mean, I probably could spend all my time shopping, at the movies, or at Edward’s place.” Though, she’d definitely run out of money if she shopped as much as she wanted. Her wardrobe was already overflowing as is. She definitely wasn’t going to be able to fit it all into a small, dorm closet.
“Alice dear you know I’d never challenge you” Esme told her daughter sweetly, “Not when it comes to shopping anyway but I’m not going to have you hanging around Edward’s when he and Bella are working so hard”
“Hey, I could watch Nessie for them, or something.” Alice said, standing up a little straighter. “I’m not a total waste of space.” Typical, rebellious teenager. Esme should try reverse psychology. Though, Alice might be too smart for that. Maybe.
"I never for a moment thought you were and you know it young lady" Esme replied, as sternly as she really ever got. "But I thought you'd like a job, then when those new shoes you want come out or you see that new jacket that you simply have to have you would be able to afford it"
Alice nodded once. The logic was sound. She could go for a little extra pocket money... and it'd be nice to have a little more money for college. Going out, things like that.
"Yeah. You're right. New boots would be awesome for the fall." She gave her mother a grin. "All right, I'll go start the job search."
“See your mother does have some good ideas, it’s not all an evil plot to steal away your fun” she grinned at her daughter.
Alice laughed. “Well, I never thought that...” She said, shaking her head. “I’m just... taking a little time off between obligations, you know?” She offered, shrugging her shoulders. “I won’t get to have much time off for like, the whole rest of my life.”
Esme laughed lightly, “I know dear and I understand don’t worry. You do have time to find a job, I just wanted to remind you a little” she said, “I don’t think your job will be such a hardship, not if it’s the right one. Your father and I love ours” Carlisle was perfectly suited to be a doctor and, although she was only part time, Esme adored teaching.
Alice gave a little nod. “I don’t know what I’m going to be able to do for three months. Unless it’s something that I can keep while going to school.” She was going to study fashion and computers. She had a plan, but it was long-term. She didn’t really want to jump into anything if she wasn’t sure that she could give it her all. “What do you think I should do?”
“Why don’t you see if there are any designers or fashion people on the net who could employ you?” Esme suggested, knowing where her daughters interests lay, “Or even an IT job? Something which would help your future prospects” She didn’t expect Alice to keep her summer job.
“I... hadn’t thought about that.” There was that Valarnet. She could ask there. She should ask there. That would be a good idea. Her mother was full of good ideas! Alice nodded. “I really should make a post or two, see what’s out there. Maybe other people have better ideas than I have.”
“Exactly” Esme nodded, “You never know until you ask and there are plenty of kind and friendly people around. I think somebody is bound to know something or be able to offer help” She was glad Alice seemed to like the idea.
“Maybe.” Alice was starting to formulate a post in her mind. Maybe she’d have to try more than once. She couldn’t imagine that every person on the net saw every post that went by. “Okay. I’m gonna go write something.” She said, pulling herself up right. “I’ll... um... I’ll email you before I post. Just to make sure it looks okay?”
Esme smiled, she was blessed with her children. There were not many teenagers would seek out their parents opinion. "Of course sweetheart" she said, "I will be happy to look it over"
“Thanks, Mom.” Alice gave her mom a smile, grabbed an apple from the fruit basket on the table, then jogged out of the kitchen to go get started. She’d need to work on her resume, too, if she was going to get this ball rolling.