Feeling Ridiculous
1245 Words
The walk allowed me to clear my thoughts of his presence. On the way, I nearly squashed a toy poodle. The owner was a sweet woman. After profusely apologizing for nearly stepping on her dog, she struck up a conversation with me about why I was so distracted. I explained my situation and she understood exactly what I went through with my mom. She had told me her mother did the same exact thing until the day she died, and even now, she said she could hear her mom harassing her to call. She offered to call my mom and pretend to be my boarder. My mother took the bait. I thanked the woman and gave her some money for doggy treats.
On my way back to Gabriel’s house, I received another call from my mother. I rolled my eyes, but already had an excuse for why she couldn’t talk to the woman.
“Hello?”
“Why didn’t you tell me that Andy was planning on coming to live with you? He wouldn’t even look me in the eye. Are you scared to live out there? You didn’t have to take a job so far away. You could have come home. Why?” She was screaming and crying all at the same time. Everything hit me so fast that my defense mechanisms were triggered and I had to think quickly to not yell back at her and let it go. She made it sound like I was stealing her babies; when in reality, I was the only one out of all four of us that had ever spent more than a week away from home.
“Mom, I didn’t tell you because it wasn’t for me to tell. He had to tell you himself. Didn’t he say why he needed to leave?” I stayed calm, or as calm as I could under the circumstances. It just would have made matters worse if she thought my feelings were hurt.
“Of course he did. But I just don’t understand. Why are all my babies leaving all at the same time?” she cried.
Huh?! That was confusing. What did she mean by all? Avery still had almost a year and a half left in high school, Alex was the fire chief at the local fire station, I had been gone for at least five years, and Andy was only leaving for a while.
“What are you talking about?” I sighed at her.
“Alex is marrying Susan and moving out. Avery wants to be an exchange student next year. Andy wants to move in with you. You’ve just moved so far away. You’re all leaving me. Didn’t you know?” She sounded as confused as I felt.
“What?!” Alex had only known Susan for two months. What was he thinking? Had he gotten her pregnant? “What is Alex thinking?” I completely bypassed Andy and Avery. There would be time for that later.
She began sobbing. “I don’t know.” She took a huge, deep breath, and then, nothing.
“Mom, breathe. It’s not the end of the world.” It may be the end of yours, but…
After a minute, she took another deep, ragged breath. “Why?” She sobbed again.
“Mom, he’s thirty-eight. You knew you were going to have to let go. Did you ask him why so soon?” I knew my tone was patronizing, and I hated treating her like a kid; but that’s how she’s acting!
“He said, ‘We’re in love. It’s the right time.’ I don’t believe him. Do you think…No…She can’t. He knows better, I taught him better…”
“Mother! Don’t go down that avenue. Of course they’re not. I would hope he would have told someone. You know they couldn’t hide it even if they tried.” I laughed a little at the thought of Alex trying to hide a child when I turned the last corner to Gabriel’s house. “Is he there?”
“No,” she sniffled. “He’s over at Susan’s.”
“I’ll call him later; but mom, seriously, you have to calm down and stop saying her name like she’s a curse. She’s going to be part of this family soon if Alex has anything to do with it. Like it or not, we’re all grown, except Avery. I’m sure everything’s as he told you. You need to start learning to let go. Just because we grow up and move out doesn’t mean we love you and dad any less, but the only way we can grow into true, independent adults is if you let us. Find a hobby, go back to school, do something with your new free time. And I’ll talk to Avery. Find out everything.” I sighed. Gabriel had stepped out on his porch. He’s gorgeous. He was searching for something. His forehead was crumpled, his brows pushed together. What’s he looking for? Is that concern?
“I know I have to let you guys grow up.” She humphed as if making a difficult decision and coming to a conclusion that didn’t suit her. “Fine, Andy can stay with you without complaint from me. Just…” She got lost in thought and her sentence trailed off.
“Just what, mom?”
“Just don’t let him get married in two months.” She tried to give a little laugh. It came out husky and a little hysterical after her crying stint.
“I’m sure I won’t even have to try to keep him out of that boiling water, but I’ll keep it in mind. Are you okay now?” I was a little worried about my mom, but I wanted to get off the phone as soon as possible; ‘Dream Boy’ had just spotted me and was headed toward me.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Or I’ll be fine soon enough. Take care of my babies in Savannah, Ands. I love you, darling.” She sniffled loudly.
“I will. I love you too mom. I’ll talk to you later.”
She hung up the phone just as Gabriel reached my side. The tension ran off his face and he looked more relieved once there. I felt a strong wave of peace wash over me when he smiled at me. How odd. Was he worrying about me? Why should he? We have only just met.
“There you are. I was starting to think that you had run away. I was about to send out a search party.” He gave me a huge smile. His smile lit up his face. No, not just his face, the world. “You know my cooking really isn’t that bad.”
I giggled a little to myself. I do believe I’m infatuated. “I wasn’t running away. I was on the phone with my mom. We kind of have a family emergency; well, in her eyes at least. My brother’s…Oh; you don’t want to hear about this.” I smiled up at him.
We were walking back to his house when he offered me his arm. Am I in an old movie? “Of course I want to hear about it, but over dinner. I’m famished.” He looked down at me with those piercing emeralds and patted his elbow. I took his arm and he led me into his house once again.
- Writer
