Cy's Perspective
The move to Georgia wasn't my favorite, but leaving LA felt like a refreshing change. A new start beckoned, and having my papa nearby was a silver lining, promising more frequent visits.
Saturday morning, 5:30 AM.Mom and I were on our way to the gym, and her recent membership at a local Equinox marked a significant upgrade from the one in LA. This gym surpassed expectations, boasting luxurious spa rooms for post-workout facials.
"Ready to work out, coco?" My mom asked, playing with my hair as the driver took us to the gym.
"Absolutely. Can't wait for that facial. And, please, Mom, spare me the skincare advertisement at the gym," I teased, looking at her.
She seemed shocked, as if I said something horrible about her mother, and responded, "Cypher Lopez, you love JLo Beauty as much as I do. People should get to experience it more often." Her enthusiasm for the products was evident, and I sighed, pretending to listen – a reminder of how she could go overboard.
Finally, we arrived at the gym, and I was relieved. No more talking.Inside, Mom joined her trainer, and I pursued my own workout routine. Glancing at her during a set of pull-ups, I noticed something that took me by surprise – she was kissing someone. I quickly intervened.
"What's wrong?" My mom asked, bewildered, as my dad stood there looking confused.
"Oh, thank goodness it's you." I sighed, hugging my dad. Mom explained it was just Ben dropping off her protein shake, and I apologized for the misunderstanding.After a workout session, I led my dad to a quieter spot and confided in him about a dilemma – a girl I liked. I sought his advice on approaching her, as I wasn't close to my real dad.
"Is it Mari? Your best friend?" My dad guessed correctly, having learned from my stepsister Sera.
"Yeah... how'd you know?" I asked.
"Sera told me about her and how she's been asking her about you and who's your crush," he chuckled.
Confirming it was Mari, my dad shared advice on making her feel noticed. The revelation that Mari liked me brought joy and relief.Later, during a heart-to-heart, my dad assured me he could arrange for a car to take Mari on a date. Grateful, I thanked him, feeling reassured.
After finishing my workout, I treated myself to an anti-aging facial in the luxurious gym facilities. Rejuvenated, I found my mom waiting in her expansive locker room.
"Woah..." I marveled at the size.
"It's nice, right?" My mom giggled, and we headed to the waiting car. Eager to share my secret, I decided to wait until we were back home with my dad.
Upon arriving home, I gracefully slid off my mom's lap and was the first to step out of the car. We entered the house, finding my dad on the couch, sweetly talking to Raelynn while gently rocking her. I grinned, taking a seat next to him, with my mom settling on the other side.
Feeling a mix of nerves and excitement, I began, "I wanted to talk to you about something. I'm interested in someone, and I hope you won't freak out." My dad shot me a reassuring look, giving me the green light.
"Is it Mari?" My mom asked, glancing between my dad and me.
Surprised, I asked, "How did you know?"
"Baby, a mother always knows," she giggled softly.
"Oh..." I replied, a bit nervous about what would come next.
Encouragingly, my mom shared, "I think you should go for it. Look at your dad. He was just some guy who approached me, and I was unsure about him at first, but look at us now." She playfully slapped my dad's cheek, and after a momentary look of protest, he forgave her with a kiss.
Expressing my desire to take Mari on a date, I faced the challenge of not having a car. My dad stepped in, advocating for me to use one of theirs.
"Okay, but before you take her out, I'm going to give you a crash course on the dos and don'ts of dating," my mom interjected, surprising me with her support.
"Okay," I said, still processing that my mom had given her approval.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Yeah, I was just surprised that you're okay with this and not upset that I want to date," I replied softly.
"I'm okay with it because at your age, I was dating behind my mom's back. I appreciate you talking to us and asking for permission. Your dad mentioned it to me when you were getting your facial," my mom explained, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you for trusting me. So, when are we going on our date? I'm hungry," I chuckled.
"Soon, my love," my mom replied, looking at me before turning to my dad.
My dad suggested we go to breakfast, assuring us he would take care of the house. Grateful, I hugged him and headed to the door. As I reached for the keys to the Bentley, my mom intervened.
"Uh-uh, the Lexus," she said, handing me the keys and taking away the Bentley keys. I sighed, following her to the garage.
I deftly retrieved my permit from my dad's Mercedes, carefully placing it into the glove compartment of the sleek Lexus. The engine roared to life as I settled into the driver's seat, savoring the powerful hum of the Lexus IS 500. However, the allure of my mom's Bentley lingered in my mind.
Mom swiftly darted inside to grab her bag, returning to join me in the car. As we glided out of the garage, the morning air crisp, I couldn't help but anticipate the forthcoming date with Mari. Our destination was a charming breakfast spot, a place my cousins and I had discovered a while back.
Seated comfortably in the luxurious interior of the Lexus, my mom turned to me with a playful gleam in her eyes. "So, tell me, what's your game plan when you're in the car with her?"
I flashed a mischievous grin, teasing, "Kiss her and pull her close."
"Cy, be for real," she responded, shaking her head in mock disapproval.
"Mom, how do you even know that saying?" I asked, genuinely surprised.
"I have TikTok too, baby. I know what you kiddos are up to," she replied, and I couldn't help but shake my head at her modern knowledge.
"Um, anyways, probably just make small talk," I answered.
"Wrong. You tell her you're going to take her to get food and then head to a drive-in movie theater," my mom asserted.
"Good idea," I conceded, absorbing her dating wisdom.
As we navigated the streets, my mom delved into a captivating recount of her own experiences with my dad. She spoke with passion, sharing the intricacies of their dates and the foundation of their relationship. I listened attentively, gaining insights into the romantic journey that had brought them together.
Upon reaching our breakfast spot, I gracefully stepped out and opened the door for my mom.
"Good job, baby," she commended with a proud smile, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence.
We settled into our seats, and almost instantly, a courteous server approached to take our drink orders.
As we looked over the menu, my mom, wise and composed, shared insights on maintaining a healthy relationship. "To avoid making her feel uncomfortable, you both need open communication. That's the key to a successful relationship," she advised after we placed our orders.
Curious about the intricacies of my parents' break up, I posed a question,"so what communication efforts did you and dad use to come back together as one?" I said unaware of the lingering impact it held for my mom.
A moment of realization crossed her face, and she stared at me, lost in the memories. I, in turn, exchanged a puzzled glance with her, sensing something unspoken.
Suddenly, she seemed frozen, grappling with the resurgence of past emotions. Unsure whether she was lost in thought or grappling with the weight of the memories, I maintained my confusion, awaiting her response.
Attempting to gather herself, my mom finally spoke, though with a noticeable hesitation. "Well, you see, it's a different situation," she stammered. "Anyway, shifting gears, what activities do you and Mari usually enjoy together?" she redirected the conversation, perhaps seeking a lighter topic to navigate.
"Since our relocation to the charming state of Georgia, the reunion with Mari held a special significance for me. It was a cherished moment to reconnect before she left LA last year and came her to Georgia, and, once we reunited, we seamlessly slipped back into our old routine. Our usual hangouts consisted of quaint diners and collaborative homework sessions, with the occasional stolen kiss adding a touch of spontaneity to our interactions." I shared this inadvertently revealing detail with my mom, who, in response, wore a perplexed expression as she was seeking clarification from me.
"Huh? What do you mean by 'occasionally kiss'?" she asked and was shocked.
Caught off guard, I struggled to recall whether I had indeed uttered those words. "I never said that," I countered, attempting to downplay my unintentional admission.
My mom, however, wasn't easily swayed. "Cypher, you literally just did," she pointed out, her astonishment lingering.
Realizing there was no denying it, I offered a somewhat sheepish response, "Oh..." as I pondered how to come up with something to say.
"Cy... So you're telling me that you and your friend share more than just a friendship?" My mom asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah... Why do you ask?" I responded calmly.
"I'm not sure what to say... All I can advise is to tread carefully in these kinds of relationships," my mom said with a sigh.
"What do you mean? Please explain," I pressed.
"Before I met your dad, I was involved with Drake. We were friends who crossed the line into romantic territory, engaging in activities couples do. But it didn't end well because I developed feelings, and he wasn't looking for a committed relationship. That experience was a small heartbreak that stung more than my breakup with Alex," my mom shared, her voice soft as she reminisced about those moments.
"Hmm... Fascinating," I remarked, genuinely intrigued as she opened up about him.
The atmosphere over our breakfast took an unexpected turn, tinged with a hint of awkwardness. She delved into the details of her past relationships, offering me sincere advice on steering clear of the bachelor lifestyle and treating women with respect. As I began to share my own experiences, a palpable tension settled over the table. My mother, visibly upset, couldn't help but highlight the trail of broken hearts I left in my wake during those past relationships.
"Ma, you know how it is, girls can't resist me," I said with a confident smirk.
"Cy, you're starting to remind me too much of Marc, and that's not a compliment. I really don't want you to ruin things with you and Mari. If she's comfortable enough to kiss you as a friend, it probably means she's developed deeper feelings for you. Please, don't overlook that. Take a moment to truly appreciate her and cherish the connection you have," my mom advised, her disappointment still evident in her tone.
"I pondered the weight of my words before saying, 'I won't.' A sigh escaped me as I contemplated the remarkable person she was, and the fear of potentially disrupting the delicate balance between us. 'She's an incredible woman, and I'm determined not to jeopardize what we have.'
My mom, perceptive as ever, chimed in with advice that carried the wisdom of experience. "If you truly value her, abandon the mindset of a bachelor. Open yourself up to the vulnerability of love and let your heart embrace the depth of your emotions for her."
In that moment, her words resonated, urging me to transcend my reservations and embrace the beauty of falling in love.
"How do you always manage to find the perfect words?" I asked.
"In the whispers of my shattered dreams and the tears that have marked my heart, I urge you to tread carefully on love's delicate path. I've faced heartbreak storms, and I don't want you or your future partner to endure the pain that once consumed me," my mother said with a heavy voice.In the softly lit room, her eyes revealed the scars of lost love and shadows of regret. "Love is like a maze, my dear, full of twists and turns that can leave you breathless and confused. It can bring joy, but too often, it turns into a sad song echoing in a broken heart."
A quiet sadness filled the air as she continued, "I've been through the tricky parts of love, and its pitfalls have left me hurt. I'm telling you this not to burden you with my sorrows but to give you the wisdom from my own heartaches. Protect your heart, my love, and choose a partner who will cherish it as their own."
She reached out, her fingers lightly touching mine, carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken emotions. "In the pursuit of love, my darling, always love yourself first. Find comfort in your own company, so that even if the music of love stops, you can still dance to the beat of your own heart."
With a nostalgic smile, she concluded, "Treasure the sweet moments, but be ready for the storms. Love is delicate, but with the right care, it can survive even the toughest times. And when love slips away like sand through your fingers, remember that the sun will rise again. Embrace the pain, for it shapes a strong heart, capable of loving once more."
As her words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of love's fragility and strength, I felt a mix of both sadness and hope settling within me.
To be continued...