The Enabler

         Vivien turned in her computer chair and stared at her son. “Another unpaid parking ticket? Why didn’t you pay it?”

         “It slipped my mind, and then I didn’t have the money.”

         “You didn’t have the money! Grady, you have a good job. Why wouldn’t you have the money?”

         Grady lifted his hands in a helpless gesture. “I didn’t have it.”

         “Grady, you have enough money when you want to order a bottle of wine. And how much did you put in the slot machine last weekend?”

         “Mom, I work hard. I need to have a little fun --”

         “But you pay your bills first. You honor your obligations. Then you have fun.”

         “I’ll pay you back.”

         “You have to stop being so irresponsible about money. What will become of you when I’m dead and gone?”

         “This is why I hate to ask you for any help; it always comes with the lecture.”

         “But that doesn’t stop you asking. Grady, you are thirty years old --”

         “I know how old I am, Mom.”

         “I don’t know why I try to talk to you. It only goes in one ear and out the other. I don’t even know why I bother.”

         “Look, Mom, I’m just in a little bind right now. I forgot the ticket, all right? I get paid Thursday, but I need some help today.”

         “You need to have a budget and keep track of your money. I’ve told you that.”

         “All right, Mom, I hear you.”

         Vivien sighed and got out her checkbook. “All right, Grady, how much do you need this time?”

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