“Go back to college? Maybe start my own production company specializing in acquiring female-focused films. That could be really cool. Or perhaps I would like to direct? Or maybe leave the business altogether? I guess what I’m saying is that I never really got to choose my path, and I want a chance to do that.”

“You think I made you become an actress? Because I didn’t. You wanted to be in commercials. You said so.”

“I was four years old, Mom. I wanted to be a princess and have a pet dragon. Children can’t choose what to do with their lives when they’re . . . four years old.”

Silence had reigned for a good ten seconds.

“Mom? Lorna?”

“You called me Mom,” Lorna said, something sounding like a catch in her voice.

That revelation caused Chase to sit down a bit too hard on the bed. “Well, you are my mother.”

“You just haven’t called me that in years.”

“Maybe because I was an asshole. Or maybe because sometimes you seemed more my manager than my parent. I have only you to protect me, to hold my best interests in your heart. I’m not blaming you for seeing me as more of a product than a person. I put those barriers up. I became less your daughter. If anything, therapy with Olivia has allowed me to see that. I have caused many of my own problems, but I’m also going to fix them myself . . . starting with managing my own affairs.”

Her mother cleared her throat. “What does that mean? You don’t want me to act as your manager?”

“No. It means I’m going to have a say-so in my life. If I stick with acting, I will weigh in on where I appear, what parts I read for, and who I work with. I want to see income and expense reports. That sort of thing. And it’s not because I don’t trust you. I just need autonomy over my own life. Letting you do everything for me takes away my agency, takes away the investment I need to have in myself. We need to set boundaries for each other, because you need to have your own life, too. It’s crazy, but I realized as I worked through this recovery workbook that you don’t have much of a life, Mom. You gave yourself up for me, and that’s not really fair to you.”

Lorna had sighed. “You’ve been doing a lot of thinking. Maybe too much.”

“It’s way overdue, Mom.”

Another few seconds ticked by. Finally, Chase said, “I’m sorry for the way I’ve hurt you with my actions. I’m going to do better. Hopefully, we can find a way back to being some kind of family.”

“Chase, I . . . I don’t . . . have words. I’m overwhelmed.”