Night Drifters: The Knight

Chapter 4: Birthday Surprise

“Wait . . .mom.”

“Yes?”

“That’s not my only decision.”

“Oh, then, what else?”

“I don’t want to get tutored anymore either.”

“Well, honey, are you sure? I mean, this is apart of school. And you know your father and I want the best for you when it comes to your education.”

“But mom, I’ve been a straight A student since kindergarten, before Joseph even tutored me and these tutoring sessions go on for two hours at a time.” I paused and decided to get it out in the open, “And mom, I never have time to write my essays and it’s making me fail English.”

“What? You’re failing English? I can’t believe this.” She said astonished.

“But, Miss Little said she would give me a C for the quarter if I join the newspaper staff, every Monday and Wednesday for an hour after school. “

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Okay, then it’s done. No more tutoring. Is that all?” She seemed to be getting irritated now. Maybe I’m pushing my luck with this one.

“Mom . . .I want to date.”

She seemed star struck. “Date?”

“You know date . . . boys?”

“Yes, I know what you mean. You know, Danny, I know your making your own decisions now, but you have to make sure they’re the right decisions.”

“Mom, what do you think I’m going to go out and do? I mean for a date I have to go with my best friend for pete sakes. People go on dates all the time. Why can’t I?”

She didn’t say anything for a moment. “Alright . . .if you feel that you’re mature enough now . . .I will let you go on a date.”

“Really?” Wow, I didn’t think that one would pass the border called mom.

“But . . . ” oh no I don’t like where this is going, “your father and I get to meet this boy you have a crush on.

Just when you think you got something going for you, it slips away. “Deal.” I said frowning.

“Now, get dressed, we have a big day today.” She walked out of the room.

.................................

We drove along the seaside town of Clementine, watching the tide roll in and get sucked back out. The air smelled salty and ocean-like. I spent my whole life in Clementine. It’s so beautiful. Too bad it’s going to be a bad weekend, with the grey sky and all. I could tell it would rain in a matter of time. It’s strange, because it usually rains in April.

And as if she were reading my mind my mom said, “I’ve never seen it so bad out here.” She adjusted the mirror.

“I know, me either.” I was happy my mom was opening up to me for the first time in years. She was becoming my mom I know and love. “So, what will we be doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“On our day out?”

“Oh, well, I thought . . . we’d hit the spa.” She smiled. “They have this guaqomole mask, that I heard is so rejuvenating.”

The spa? Mom, you can’t be serious!

“Oh . . .that . . .sounds great.” I didn’t sound enthusiastic at all and she could tell.

“I promise you’ll like it, you’ve never even been there, how can you judge it?”

How can you not?