Andy's Nightmare

14. Calling Mom

She was glad that she had chosen to wear a sweater tonight because when they got outside there was a cool breeze. Between the slight breeze and the removal of his hand from her back when he opened the door for her, she felt that it was actually colder than it was.

He helped her into the car, just as he had at the hotel. There was a peaceful, comfortable silence in the car as he drove her back to the hotel. She had her hands loosely on her lap, and he reached over to hold one of them lightly. She didn’t pull away this time. It felt natural, but odd for her. This was the first time that she actually enjoyed the touch of anyone besides her mother.

Even when she was dating guys in high school and college, she didn’t really care if they held her hand or touched her in any form. And since the r**e, she didn’t want anyone besides her mother to touch her at all. But now, there was this man beside her in the car and she enjoyed his light touch. He didn’t seem to have a hidden agenda like most of the other guys that she dated in high school and college.

When they got to the hotel, he walked her inside and offered to walk her up to her room. She politely declined that offer, even though she really didn’t want the evening to end.

She said she had to call her mom tonight. She claimed that she hadn’t talked to her for a couple of days and that she had promised to call her every few days. Lame excuse on her part, but she wasn’t sure she wanted him in her room. What kind of impression would that make if she allowed him to come up? Even though he had been a complete gentleman all evening, she was sure that he would expect more if she invited him into her hotel room.

He leaned in to give her a light kiss on the cheek to say goodbye as the elevator opened. He didn't try to kiss her on the lips, which she wasn't ready for, but only the briefest of kisses on her cheek. He said he would love to see her again, and she said it would depend on her lunch tomorrow. He said that he hoped that the lunch would go well and that she planned on staying in town for a while.

Andy got into the waiting elevator and smiled back at him as the doors closed. After the doors closed, she leaned her head against the side of the elevator to steady herself. This man had been affectionate, but very gentlemanly. He didn't even try for a goodnight kiss, but kissed her on the cheek. She smiled to herself and had raised her hand to her cheek to touch the spot where she had just been kissed as the elevator doors opened onto her floor.

She passed a couple in the hallway and stiffened slightly. The fear and discomfort was still there, it had not gone completely. But she didn't really expect it to disappear overnight.

When she got to her room, she realized that they hadn’t even exchanged numbers. But they did seem to run into each other. She wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing in a town this size.

She was thinking that if she wanted to see him again, that was a good thing. But if trying to avoid someone, that wouldn’t be easy to do.

She called her mom like she told Linc she was going to do. She needed her advice. She couldn’t ever remember going to her mom for advice on guys before, but this one had her confused.

“It’s great to hear from you, Andy.” Her mom started. “Have you met the couple yet? How do you like the small town?”

“I met Kim for dinner, but Kyle had to work that evening. I’m having lunch with them at their home tomorrow. I enjoyed meeting her and I hope that things work out. She works with kids now, and they have money saved up and some invested so she can take time off to raise a baby. Plus, he has a good job in the city.” Andy replied. “As for the small town, I’m enjoying being able to walk to different places instead of having to drive everywhere. I’m down the street from a little coffee shop that I've been walking to.” She paused and smiled at the thought of meeting Linc there.

She wondered if her mom would notice. She always seemed to pick up on her moods. “There's a hometown diner across the street from the hotel. And lots of little shops up the street, including a movie theater within walking distance. I'm actually getting out and walking places, without the fear and dread I was having at home.”

“I’m glad things seem to be going well there and that lunch will go well tomorrow.” Her mom said. “Do you miss the city yet?”

“Not really, Mom. But I miss you and Charlie. I went out to the pool to take a break from writing the other day.” She went on to tell her mom about the little girl and seeing them at the diner. She then paused to gather her thoughts on how to tell her mom about Linc and ask for advice.

“Is everything ok? You seem far away or preoccupied.” She heard her mom’s voice interrupt her thoughts.

“It’s nothing important. I met this guy at the coffee shop. And we went out to dinner tonight. He’s not like the guys at home or school. I’m not sure what to think. I’ve never felt this way about any guy before. You know how I am, Mom. I’m used to the boys that want to hang out with me and expect me to…” She broke off because the r**e crossed her mind.

She shook her head, trying to shake off that feeling again. Her mom picked up on where her mind had gone. And instead of talking about Linc, her mom started talking about work to get Andy’s mind off of things. They talked for about half an hour and Andy felt better again, but never brought up the subject of Linc again.

She was getting tired and wanted to get some rest, so ended the call without actually getting the advice that she called for.

Andy got ready for bed and laid down, but was having trouble going to sleep, so she turned on the TV in the hopes that it would help her sleep.

It seemed that every channel had some sappy love story or cop show. She really didn’t want to fall asleep to a cop show, so she decided to watch one of the love stories. But it just made her think of dinner with Linc. And that quick kiss on the cheek before she got onto the elevator.

Tomorrow would be the deciding factor whether she was going to stay here. From everything that she read in the files, from talking to both Kim and Kyle on the phone and then meeting Kim, she almost had her mind made up. Kim seemed so sincere when they met. If Kyle was as committed, then she would stay. But she also had another reason to want to stay here now.

She finally dozed off towards the end of the movie even though she wasn’t really watching it. Her thoughts were on Linc. She had decided earlier that she was going to call Charlie tomorrow evening. Maybe she could offer some advice. She had hoped to talk to her mom about Linc more, but she couldn’t really get the words out. Maybe her thoughts will be clearer tomorrow after a good night’s sleep and lunch with Kim and Kyle.