Scared Him Away (Completed)

Confessions

I got a text from Susan this morning, after I finished the laundry I left yesterday, saying that she wants to hang out today. I was exhilarated. It is not everyday do I get a text from someone other than him asking if I want to spend some time together. I answered back saying that I would meet up with her at her house and from there we could go to the nearby grocery store. I explained how I was looking for a job and saw a job vacancy there when I went to buy some things for breakfast. But didn't bother to mention it to the shop owner because I was nervous, I chickened out. She agreed.

I got dressed, settling on something presentable for the job interview but at the same time something comfortable to stay in as Susan wanted to do some shopping afterwards. Jeans, a cute blue tank top, along with my high neck converse will do. Lip gloss applied, hair in a simple pony tail and I was ready. I didn't have to ask my mom before hand, I knew she wouldn't mind. Not because she has grown sweeter but because she was dying to get me out of the house with someone other than him. So I grabbed my bag, went downstairs and found mom in the living room.

"Hey mom, I am spending the day with Susan, that OK?" and as I expected her eyes grew wide with surprise.

"Umm...SURE! I mean yeah...what are you planning on doing?" She said flustered, still not believing what she is hearing.

"Nothing much, shopping." I decided to leave out the job part until I actually get it, not wanting to have her nagging on how I couldn't succeed in anything added to the never ending list on "how much I wished I didn't have her as a daughter"

"OK then, you can take all the time you want. I mean, if you want to skip lunch for today, it is perfectly fine with me. Your father and I will figure something out. And do you want me to drive you to the mall? I am Ok with that. Are you meeting up with her there, or should I pick her up?" She said already getting up, looking around for her car keys.

It was my turn to open my eyes in surprise. Wow! She is that desperate to get me out of the house? Have I been sulking that much?

"No, no mom. It is OK! I am gonna meet her at her house, but I remember the way, I was gonna walk there. I-I-" I cleared my throat, still dazed by her sudden eagerness to help me out. "I am not sure, we'll see how long it is gonna take us, I will call if I am skipping lunch."

"OK then." She nodded and sat back down, giving up on finding her keys. I mentally added onto my To-Do list "Find mom's keys" because there will be a time where she is in a hurry to get somewhere and she will ask me where are they, and that it is all my fault I haven't found them yet.

I said bye and headed outside, soaking in the sun's rays. The walk to Susan's is not that short of a distance but at the same time not that long, and I figured that I needed the exercise anyway. The neighborhood was quite and that is why I really enjoy morning walks, especially in the park across the road, I should really go there soon.

I was walking until I got that feeling once again, like someone is watching me, following. I turned around abruptly and I could have sworn I heard the shuffling of feet, as if whoever was there ran to hide somewhere so I couldn't see them. I stood there a while longer, looking back and forth, trying to detect any movement. When I found none, I quickened my steps and resumed walking, hopefully getting as much distance as possible between me and my stalker.

I knocked on the door and Susan's mom opened the door for me. "Oh Chloe, Susan is coming down now, she is just getting ready, come in come in." She directed me to the living room made me sit and asked me if she could get me anything. I declined politely saying that I just had breakfast. She nodded and went away.

I sat there looking around at the family photos on the wall. They were placed in chronological order. First was a photo of Susan's mom and her dad on their wedding day, then Susan's mom holding a baby whom I presumed was Susan's older brother; Josh. Another was a picture of Susan's mom holding a new born Susan sitting on a hospital bed with a five-year old Josh next to her. And they continued...Josh's first fallen tooth, then Susan's, first day of school, first Prom. It was something I wish I had, a loving family who takes pride in their children and capturing every special moment to them in a picture. I don't even know if my mom has a picture of me anywhere really.