I wanted to laugh at her idea that I’d even pretend to let her go, but I needed to save the big no for later, when I was more prepared. “An RV? That’s not safe, honey. And I know it sounds glamorous, like some cool movie, but it doesn’t work that way. You’d need to schedule sites to park, and the plumbing could get backed up, and what if you break down? I don’t think you’ve thought this through. Do I know them from your school? Who are their parents?”

A smothered groan hit my ears. I could feel the hot burn of her stare as I concentrated on the road. “Mom, they’re not part of your fancy country club, okay? They’re just regular people who are interesting and creative and want to experience new things—not pretend this crappy world full of pretentious people is all I have to look forward to.”

I tamped down my own temper. “Sorry, I didn’t realize working hard to have a decent life was pretentious or wrong.”

“You never listen. And if I have to hear one more time about everything you’ve given me, I’m going to die.”

“Maybe if I hear you complaining about everything you have one more time, I’ll die.”

That cost me. The tension in the car cranked up and the temperature dropped. Why was I always snatching the bait? But, damn, she pissed me off.

“Forget it. I’m going to be eighteen this summer anyway.”

I raised my brow. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

She shrugged. “I can do what I want at eighteen. I can vote. Make my own decisions. You can’t stop me.”

I couldn’t halt my strangled laugh, even though I tried. “Oh, yes, I can. You live in my house, under my rules, and you’re not going anywhere in an RV with some strange kids. I’d need to meet them, talk to their parents, get a detailed itinerary, check out places, make sure the campgrounds are safe. Maybe if we go over it all and you check your attitude, we can talk about it.”

She pressed her hands against her temples and shook her head back and forth like she was having a breakdown. “I can’t stand it anymore! Isn’t there anything in your life you don’t plan? Was there even one time you did something exciting or different or adventurous? God, I’ll die if I ever end up like you!”