Gone Country

Chapter 29 (Effort)

Looking down into her eyes this morning, I could see that she was happier, possibly even happy enough to go back home and put this past them once and for all. "What's for breakfast?" I asked my beautiful girl. I lowered my head, gently kissing her tender lips with a smile. "Please say you," I begged, the pain of waiting to make love to her almost too unbearable handle. Some days I am perfectly fine with waiting, then there are moments like these that I'm dying to end all of this torture.

"You will have me soon," she giggled, rubbing her nose against mine. "And as for breakfast, you're on your own, baby-cakes. Niona and I are going shopping today since she's heading back home tomorrow. I've hardly seen her all week, so we're going to get some much needed girl time."

I was happy for her. Niona and Austin have been caught up in one another since she arrived. Austin doesn't get to see her as much as he would like, I think that's why Charlotte has been so okay with Niona being MIA. She misses her best friend, but she wasn't one to interrupt a good thing like two long distant lovers finally getting to see one another.

"Are you really going to let me starve?" I asked her with a pout she couldn't help but give in to. "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, you know."

She rolled her eyes, linking her arms around my neck as I pulled her up from my bed. "Your food is in the microwave."

I love her so. I kissed her lips, murmuring a thank you before I let her go. She pranced ahead of me out my room, but took a turn into the bathroom to shower and get ready for her day. Like every morning so far, I went to the kitchen and warmed up the lukewarm breakfast my lovely girlfriend had made for me probably an hour ago.

I don't have to get up as early as I use to, Phillip has gotten into the habit of coming over and doing the urgent morning chores I have, leaving me with other chores that I can do in the evening. He's always been attached to my dad, but ever since Charlotte expressed how he really made her feel, he suddenly had to seek advice from my father every second of the day.

My mother entered the kitchen, bills from the mailbox in her hand. "Brant Alex Young, you haven't been to Austin's in days! Would you like to explain where this money is really coming from?" she said in a stern voice, holding up the latest envelope full of money Charlotte has sold her clothes for.

"I'm a stripper?" I tried.

My mother snorted. "Honey, I've seen you dance, you wouldn't make this much money."

I opened my mouth to protest, after all Charlotte thinks my butt is cute, I figured that would be my money maker instead of my dance moves. "No more lies, Brant!" my mother yelled at me, tossing the money onto the countertop.

Charlotte was going to kill me, but she would have to get in line behind my mom and dad after I spill my guts over this one. I was backed in a corner with no way out, not even a distraction that I could use to my advantage. I scratched the back of my neck and smiled awkwardly at her. "It's from Charlotte," I confessed. My mother let out a frustrated sigh. "She's been selling her clothes to help out."

In all my life I have never heard my mother swear, but this was too much for her. "Damn it, Brant!" she yelled, running her hand through her hair. "It stops now! This isn't her problem, it isn't even your problem. No more! Do you understand me?"

I nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

She picked up the envelope, forcing me to take it. "Give this back to her and tell her that I said if she ever does something like that again, I will personally ship her to South America."

This side of my mother was too scary for words. I watched her carefully, making sure that she was okay from a distance. It was clear to me that my mother needed a well deserved vacation from how it looked like she was at wits end. Behind her neat, clean, and beautiful appearance, there was a woman who has pulled her hair out too many times due to stress. She works hard to keep us happy, even if it meant putting her happiness aside for a while. It was time to give her a break.