East Kids - Tessa & Elijah

Chapter 13

Tessa

The next few weeks almost fly by and nothing special happens. My mother's new boyfriend keeps dropping by, but after the third time, it's not really a big deal anymore.

I really have to admit that he is quite nice and it really seems as if he is doing my mother good. Since she brought him home, a very special smile has appeared on her lips. Something I've only seen once before.

I get along with Isabelle and Carly after everyone has seen the pictures we uploaded, not as wonderful as at the party. Instead, brunette Isabelle is back at war with me while Carly is holding back. And to be honest, I have to admit that she's really okay. We don't hate each other, but we don't spend time together either. Our lives are just too different for that.

My mother raises her voice and starts to talk: "Say, honey?" Surprised I raise my head and look at her questioningly. Normally she never speaks to me with such a nickname. I'd rather not answer, because it's too early for particularly intelligent conversations on this Saturday morning. However, I'm sure she won't leave me alone if I don't say anything. "What's the matter," I ask while nibbling on my toast. "Do you like Cole?", drills himself. Over her gossip sheet she looks at me with Argus eyes. That's another question where you know you've fallen into a trap.

"Yes, he's all right", I speak every word more slowly than it would probably be normal. When she doesn't answer, I send a "Why?

At first she doesn't answer and it almost seems as if our short conversation never took place. So I nibble at my meal and think what I'm going to spend the rest of my day with.

I almost ate my bread, but my mother raised her voice again: "He made a suggestion that I would love to go into, but I also need your consent. After all, I don't want you to feel passed over."

"What kind of suggestion,' I ask, although I would much rather tell her that I think it's good that she involves me. "He asked if the two of us would like to have dinner with him and his son tonight," she now puts away her newspaper: "This way you can get to know each other better.

At first I don't know what to say and just sit there with my mouth open. At this moment I feel completely torn between the joy that my mother finally seems to be happy and the feeling that someone is suddenly there to replace my father. Someone who might make my mother forget the family I've had so far. When she leaves me for a new family, I don't have one anymore.

After just sitting there for a few seconds pondering, I tell myself my answer: "Well, I'll come with you, Mom. I don't have anything else in mind anyway. "Thank you!

Unfortunately this is even the truth. My friends have, once again, to do and I will probably hardly speak to anyone whom I do not really know. Besides I want to help my mother. Finally she let me celebrate the party.

"At what time are we supposed to meet them", I rake on to break the embarrassing silence. "At eight," she replies briefly and now turns to her food. She seems not to be interested in continuing the conversation.

So I stare at my plate and wait for her to be ready so that I can finally get up. And while I wait, I make a decision. I will try to help my mother and respect and accept her relationship with this man. However, I will make everything depend on how this meeting goes and if I can get along with his son.