Savannah's POV
The next day, I decided to go get a massage, like I had planned when Mark originally asked me out. It was a good excuse not to have to worry about whether or not I really liked him or if he really liked me and all that. Well, and I loved getting a massage! It was just a win-win situation.
I had slept late that morning, and gone for a massage early that afternoon. When I parked in my driveway back home, I was surprised to see my mom's car in the driveway.
I grabbed my purse and walked inside. Even more surprising, my mom was sitting in the den, watching TV. "Mom?" I said, hesitantly.
She turned. "Savannah! You're home!" she exclaimed. She muted the show she was watching. "Come sit with me."
I was extremely confused. I honestly couldn't remember a time that my mom had gone out of her way to talk to me since.....well.....never. I dropped my purse and sat down on the sofa next to her. "Um, what are you doing home?" I thought you and dad were gone somewhere?"
"Oh, that," Mom said. She fluttered her hand. "I decided to come home early."
My mind was spinning. Is something going on with her and dad? Is she sick? Am I in trouble? What the heck is going on?! "Oh, um, okay." I said.
"I've actually been waiting to talk to you," she said. A light appeared in her eyes I had never seen there before. I couldn't possibly get any more confused than I was at that moment.
"About what?" My eyesbrows were knitted together, waiting for her answer.
"I got an interesting phone call this week." she said.
She didn't say anything else, so I waited. After a short pause she spoke again.
"From a young man. His name is Mark Collins. I think you know him?" she said.
My jaw dropped. "Why in the world did Mark call you?"
Remember how I said I couldn't possibly get any more confused? Well, I lied. I felt like I was living in a world of mass confusion that I had no control over, and no understanding of whatsoever!
"It was quite sweet, really," she continued. "I guess her got my number from your friend...oh what's her name?"
"Kaylen?" I didn't know that my mom even knew Kaylen and I were close friends. She really was only mother in name--she birthed me, and occasionally checked in on me, but she had mostly given everything concerning me over to Lora.
"Yes, her. Such a dear," my mom said. "I always did like her."
I frowned slightly, perusing my mother. I took her in. Her brown hair, similar in color to mine, was fixed ina short bob, always perfectly hairsprayed and styled, never ruffled or messy. She had hazel eyes, framed by thin lashes, but she always made up for that by wearing fake lashes. She was dressed in khaki slacks and a black sleeveless top, silky with a beaded neckline. My mother was a perfectionist in every since of the word--she wanted her house in perfect order, her work in perfect order, her appearance in perfect order, everything.
My brain was trying to process everything. "Um," I said.
Denise Kessler (Savannah's mom)'s POV
My daughter looked extremely confused. I will admit, I was never the typical mother. When Savannah was born was about the time that my husband's business had really taken off. He owned a large company, Kessler Automotive, which produced car parts. I had made the choice to hire a housekeeper and nanny so that I could travel with my husband, Andrew.
I hadn't meant to neglect Savannah so much during her life, but I wanted to make sure that she never lacked for anything. Neither I, or my husband, had been raised in good neighborhoods or had easy lives growing up, and when I got pregnant with Savannah, we agreed that we never wanted her to know that side of life.
But, after receiving a phone call from the young man, Mark, I saw an opportunity to be more of an actuall mother, even if it was only something small.
"Um," she said.
"Yes, he called me yesterday. I understand he's interested in you," I said.
Savannah's mouth dropped even wider than before. "He said that?!" she said.
"Yes, dear, don't look so surprised. Anyways, like I said, it was really sweet. He wanted to ask if it would be okay with your father and I if he dated you. Long distance, of course, but where he could drive up on the weekends, or on school breaks, or you drive down to see him," I replied.
"I-I-I-well," Savannah said.
"Well, dear, do you like him, too?" I asked. From what Mark had said on the phone, he seemed like a nice, polite, sweet young man. I could tell by our converstion that he really did like Savannah. That, and it took a lot for him to call and get my permission.
Savannah blushed. That gave her away. It was as I suspected: she did like Mark.
She didn't say anything though, so I continued on. "So, I said that as long as you want to date him, or whatever, that he has our permission. In fact, I even invited him to drive up in the morning and take you somewhere. He will be here around eleven or so to pick you up."
I glanced down at my watch. It was almost time for a conference call with some executives from our company. "Oops! Well, it seems like my break time is up! I've got a call to take, then I have to be at the airport in a few hours to go meet your father! Have a nice time, dear!"
I stood, leaving Savannah sitting on the couch, apparently still in shock.
******
Savannah's POV
Before I went to bed that night, I set my alarm for nine o'clock, giving me plenty of time to get ready. I was definitely surprised that Mark had called my mother and asked for her permission. Especially since I hadn't agreed to go out with him in the first place. But I knew better than to try to undo something my mother had done, so I just decided to let it be. Of course, I was slightly excited to see him again.
The next morning, I woke up with my alarm. I took a shower, put on a robe, and brushed my teeth. After blowdrying my hair, I turned on the TV that hung above my bathroom door. I flipped through the channels to a music station, and began straightening my hair. I took my time, making sure every section was perfectly straight.
I glanced at the clock, seeing that I still had forty-five minutes before Mark arrived. I brushed on some powder, and a little bit of bluch. I carefully applied a thin line of eyeliner, followed by a thick coat of mascara. I dabbed on some clear lipgloss, and decided it was time to get dressed.
I stood in the middle of my huge closet, and slowly turned in a circle. Let me explain my closet to you quickly. All of my clothes were hung on a large circular rack. There was a small section that I could walk through to get to the inside of the rack. Against the left wall of the closet, outside of the clothes rack, there was a long dresser. One side of the drawers held jewelry and hats, and the other side of drawers held belts, socks, and such. Against the back wall, there were more drawers, holding my more casual clothes (gym shorts, t-shirts, et cetera). The right wall of my closet was all shelves, holding all of my shoes.
The word "huge" was really an understatement when it came to describing my closet. It was really like another whole room specifically for clothes and accessories. Crazy? Yes.
I pulled on my underclothes, and tried to decide what to wear. I didn't have a clue what Mark had planned for the day, so I didn't have any idea as to what I should wear.
I decided on a blue cotton skirt, that was flowy and reached my knees. I pulled on a solid white knit top that was short-sleeved. I decided to wear navy blue flats with white polka dots on them, tying my skirt and shirt together. I grabbed a long beaded necklace, also navy blue, and some white earrings. I decided against wearing another bracelet besides my new charm bracelet.
I looked in the full-length mirror hanging on my door, satisfied. A quick spritz of my favorite perfume, and I was ready.
I have to admit, I was getting more and more excited as I got ready for my and Mark's first real date.
I think I might actually like him. I knew it!! Well, I'll decided after the date. I don't know yet. I mean what if he's really jerk-ish? Fine, decide then. But don't play the guy. It's not fair. I won't do that.
In the kitchen, I found Lora cleaning the stove. "Well don't you look beautiful!" she exclaimed.
I blushed. "Mark's coming to pick me up in a few minutes. I have a date with him, set up by he and Mom."
Lora raised her eyebrows and I quickly related the story to her. She found it amusing, but she was also happy that I was going with Mark. "I know you'll have a good time, baby girl," she said. She quickly hugged me as the doorbell rang. "Not that must be your young man."
"Or your's," I teased. We laughed, and I went to answer the door.
Here goes nothing!