Lauren has changed. After six weeks in San Diego California, she has come back with short hair, a new tan, and a hard distancing shell that will be almost impossible to crack. She has put up her walls and may never let anyone in again.
Will Barney g...
When Barney and I came back in, Lily and Marshall were coming downstairs. Barney took my coat, hanging it on the stair-rail.
"Wow Barney, it looks like your mom kept you childhood bedroom just the way you left it." I looked at Barney, my jaw dropped.
"Yeah, that sure is a big poster of The Karate Kid above your bed." Marshall added.
"Hey, The Karate Kid is a great movie. It's the story of a hopeful young karate enthusiast whose dreams and moxie take him all the way to the All Valley Karate Championship. Of course, sadly, he loses in the final round to that nerd kid. But, he learns an important lesson about gracefully accepting defeat."
"You root for Billy Zabka?" I asked.
"No, I root for the scrawny loser from New Jersey who barely even knows karate. When I watch The Karate Kid I root for the karate kid, Johnny Lawrence from the Cobra Kai dojo. Get your head out of your-"
"What now?" I asked, cutting him off.
"Nothing, babe." He said. I nodded.
"That's what I thought. Come on, show me your room." I grabbed his hand, pulling him up the stairs. He led me to the door, opening it and letting me in. I laughed.
"What?" He asked.
"Your tie die bedspread! Oh my gosh, that's adorable."
"Why?" I sat down on his bed.
"Because I had the same one." I smirked. "Seriously, your room is so cute." I stood up, walking over to the walls and looking at the posters.
"Cute isn't exactly the word I would use."
"Not cute like 'outfit' cute. Cute like 'Oh my fiancé was a big dork and it's adorable' cute." I assured him. I spotted a picture frame on his dresser, and I walked over, picking it up. "Oh my gosh, you were so cute! How old were you?"
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He walked over, looking over my shoulder at the picture.
"I was sixteen there, I believe." I hugged the frame to my chest, turning to face him.
"You were adorable."
"Yeah, you've said that." He said sarcastically. "You can take it if you want. Mom has about a hundred just like it." I smiled, putting the frame in my purse. "Come on." He grabbed my hand, leading me down the stairs and into the kitchen, letting go immediately.
"Anything I can help you with, Loretta?" I asked.
"Of course, dear! If you wouldn't mind tossing that salad."
"Of course not." I grabbed the spoons, tossing it. "Your house is beautiful, by the way."
"Thank you. It's nothing special, but it's home."
"I think it's fantastic. I don't know why Barney never told us his mother was so incredible."
"Truth is, I wasn't always the best mother when I was younger." She told me.
