Big Men of the House(104)
A great big smile stretched across my face. I felt so safe.
His Untouched Princess
Being home from college during Christmas break was always the best time of year. Finals were over and I got to leave behind all the stress at school. Visiting home again made me feel relaxed. Made me feel safe. I got to see my mom again and hang out with old friends.
But this year was different.
When I arrived at the airport, there was a strange mysterious man standing next to my mom.
“Hi Kayla, how is my daughter doing?” My mom embraced me and we held each other for an eternity.
“I'm doing good. Please Mom, let go, you're choking me.” She let me out of her grasp and I could finally breathe.
My mom looked at me and then glanced at the man. “Kayla, this is David.”
“I've heard so much about you,” he said, shaking my hand. David was tall, strong, and so hot.
My mom took both of my hands and looked me straight in the eyes. “Kayla, David and I got married. He's your stepdad now.”
My jaw dropped to the floor. “When did this happen?” I yelled, my voice getting higher and higher.
My mom tried to calm me down. “I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I wanted to wait until I could do it in person.”
“Why didn't you invite me to the wedding?”
“We actually didn't even have one. It was a kind of spur-of-the-moment situation.”
“And you didn't even think to have me meet him before marrying him?”
“I'm so sorry, Kayla. We couldn't wait any longer.”
“Fine, let's just get home.”
I strained as I picked up my heavy suitcase.
“Let me get that for you,” David said, grabbing the suitcase from me like it weighed nothing.
I wanted to argue more but my head was spinning with all sorts of emotions. I needed to think about things before I went crazy.
The drive home was full of silence. I stared outside the window at the passing trees and glanced at my parents ever so often. They held hands the entire car ride. My mom obviously loved him.
My real father left us a long time ago and he was now just a forgotten memory. I flashback to all the holidays where my mom was sad and tried to put on a brave face for me. It didn't hit me until just now. My mom deserved some real happiness.
As we pulled into the driveway, I finally opened my mouth. “I'm sorry I overreacted guys. It was just a big surprise. I know you've been lonely, Mom, for many years. I think it's finally time that you get someone that you always deserved.”
“Thank you, honey, that means a lot to me.”
The house I grew up in had changed a lot since I had been there last. David has redone the landscaping outside the front of the house. Big orange trees shaded the yard. I walked inside to find the entire kitchen remodeled. A sign hung from the archway that said, “David's Kitchen”
A fear jumped in my throat. My room must've been changed too. I ran upstairs, leaving my suitcase behind me. I opened my bedroom door expecting to find a workout room but instead, everything was exactly how I left it.
“We didn't touch a thing,” my mom said from behind me.
I walked in and waves of nostalgia hit me. I had my first kiss in this room. My notebook filled with pictures of pop stars sat on my nightstand. All my shitty folded posters of teenage heartthrobs were still up.
“There's one more thing I need to tell you,” my mom said, sitting down on my bed. She patted the spot next to her for me to sit.
“What's up? Did you marry another man too?”
“No,” she replied, laughing. “It's about Christmas. We're going to David's parents' house.”
“Why? What's wrong with doing Christmas here?” I asked.
“Well David thought it would be nice if his family could meet you and me.”
“But I just got here and you're going to make me leave already.”
“I know it sucks Kayla but I think we'll have fun,” my mom said.
“Fine,” I resigned.
“It's about a five-hour drive from here. I have to work all the way up to Christmas Eve so I'm going to fly there. I was thinking that you and David can drive there early.”
“No way, Mom,” I stated.
“Oh come on, I think it would be a good bonding experience for you two.” She had those puppy dog eyes that were hard to resist.
“I barely know the guy and you want me to spend five hours in a car alone with him.”
“I love him so much,” she replied. “Do me this one favor.”
I put my hands up in the air. “All right all right. You win, Mom. I'll go on the road trip with David.”