Kelsey Whatkins (Mother)
~~~~~
When the final bell rang I was both elated and depressed. I was in no way anxious to get home but I was extremely ready to see my bed again.
I loved my mom but for the last few weeks she'd been otherwise occupied with her wedding preparations.
Her boyfriend of approximately a year and a half, proposed to her three weeks prior and she had been practically bouncing on walls preparing the wedding. He had offered to help but she wanted to do everything herself. And she had been.
Even though this would be her second wedding, she was taking more time to plan it than the first. I never asked but I think it's because she didn't have the chance to have an extravagant wedding with my dad. They got married young and actually did it behind their parents backs because they wouldn't approve. When it came to light, their parents were actually really happy. Well, not my mom's dad or my dad's mom. The parents who approved paid for a small wedding and four days after their secret marriage, my mom and dad were married in front of a few of our relatives.
This wedding was going to be huge and our entire family along with the groom's would be attending. And of course a few friends. The date was still three weeks away but there was plenty that still needed to be done. My mom always needed an 'extra hand or two,' with the preparation, meaning me and my step brother, Justin. He never even bothered to show, however, and it was usually just me.
She never really needed any help anyway, because whenever I came home she did all of the work and gave me some ridiculous task. Usually heading to the venue and 'supervising' the decorating staff to make sure everything was just how she wanted it. When I tried to give them advice on how things should look they always said, "Leave this to the professionals," and left me to fold napkins.
The only reason she really wanted us around, I found out not too long before, was so me and my step brother could 'bond' and spend some 'quality time together.' We'd never met and she rarely talked about him so I hardly knew much about him besides his name. I didn't even know how he looked. Of course I thought he resembled his dad. Tall, blonde hair, blue eyes, but he had a mother. He could of looked nothing like his father at all.
It was crazy to think we'd never met, but there was a reasonable explanation. In my mom's eyes anyway.
Her and Wilson, my future stepdad, had been dating in secret because she thought I would overreact if she told me she had started dating again. I told her she was crazy to think that because in my opinion, five years is too long to wait. She said her original planning was to wait untill I graduated to start seeing other men, but then came Wilson. She met him while she was on break at work and she spilt her coffee on him. It was adorable. The way I pictured it anyway. It probably was actually a horrific scence considering the coffee was probably scolding hot.
She never told me anything about Wilson or that he had a son until the day he proposed. She said she wouldn't have been able to keep it secret much longer after that. Besides she thought it was the real thing and she knew I'd understand. I didn't understand the whole 'lovey dovey' thing but I could see he made her smile like I hadn't seen in awhile so I was fine with it.
So the fact still remained, I didn't know Justin. I saw where she was coming from trying to get us to meet, but sticking us together all afternoon was not a good way to get us aquanted. That's the way to get two people to start hating each other real fast. I tried to tell her that but she shooed me off. It was okay though cause I never had to see him anyway. I didn't think I wanted to; he seemed rude. My mom, your soon-to-be step mother goes out of her way to introduce us and you don't even show?
I used to go with my mom on errands or stay at the venue all afternoon hoping he'd stop being a dick and show but I'd given up. After, I usually just picked up some De' Coffee and went over to the event center for half an hour before going over to Claire's place.
"Caramel Creme Latte," I said to the cashier, while rifling through my bag for my wallet. "Where is it?" I continued to rummage, looking for my wallet or at least some loose change. Someone got into line so I stepped out of the way so they could order.
I pressed my purse against the counter and my stomach so I could look with both hands. My phone buzzed from my pocket and I pulled it out to see who it was messaging me.
Claire: You still coming over?
Me: Of course why wouldn't I?
Claire: No reason. But you can't stay long I have somewhere to be.
My face scrunched in confusion.
Me: Where?
Claire: Not important. See you in a bit. ;x ♡♡
Where is she going in such a rush?
I didn't have time to investigate as I heard the woman working the counter say, "Caramel Creme Latte?"
I still hadn't found any money, but before I could say anything someone came up behind me. "I've got it." I looked up to see someone handing the girl some money.
I turned to protest but was stopped when I saw who was on the giving end of the money.
It was a boy about my age, maybe a year older, with slightly messy mocha brown hair and stunning jade green eyes. He had a sharp jaw line, and thick curved eyebrows. He was at least 6'3 and tan. He wore maroon converse, faded blue jeans, and a fitting baby blue shirt that outlined every bulging muscle in his abdomen.
I stopped staring when I heard the girl at the counter calling to me. I felt my face get hot as I started to blush.
The boy had a smirk on his face, amused by my amazement and/or embarrassment. I abruptly turned and grabbed the cup from the woman. "Thank you."
I was halfway out the door before I heard the boy say, "I don't get a thanks?"
I stopped and slowly turned to face him and nearly squealed when I realized he was right behind me. I looked down at my cup and twirled the straw around in the drink. "Thanks," I mumbled.
"You're quite welcome...uhm,"
I looked up and narrowed my eyes at him. "I don't think I'm at liberty to tell you that," I stood straighter as I gained more confidence,"I might never even see you again."
"But you could, and I'd like to know your name if we do run into each other again." He seemed so confident with himself while I was still extremely nervous for some strange reason.
"Geneeva," I said, barely audible.
"Justin." He extended his hand to me. Instead of taking it I just looked at him. Did he say his name was Justin? I shook my head. No. No. It couldn't be. He looked nothing like Wilson. He had green eyes, Wilson's eyes were blue. Wilson's face was round and chubby. This guy's jaw line could cut through metal. And no offense to Wilson, but this guy was... GORGEOUS!
I shook my head again to clear my thoughts before taking his still extended hand. A small part of me really hoped he wasn't Wilson's son because a girl should NOT think the things I was thinking about her brother.
"Nice to meet you." We both let our hands fall. He placed his hands into his pockets and I started to twirl my straw again. "And thanks again. For the drink."
"No problem." A smile spread across his face accompanied by dimples. Definitely not Wilson's son.
"Uhm... I don't think I've ever seen you before. You live around here?" I don't know where the question came from, I was curious of course, but the more I looked at the boy the higher my chance of embarrassing myself. I should have been hightailing it to my car but my tongue had it's own agenda.
The smile never leaving his face he replied. "Yes actually. I just moved into town from Placid Hills."
My eyes widened. Didn't mom say that's where Wilson was from? I carried on the conversation trying to hide my growing angst. "Oh really. You like it here?"
He shrugged. "It's nice here. The people are decent. But things are more or less the same." There was an undertone to his voice that hinted he was talking about something more than a comparison of the two towns flora and fauna. I narrowed my eyes as I caught it. He avoided eye contact then looking around the small shop.
Before I could push the subject, the girl from the counter called across the shop. "Iced Caramel Macchiato?"
"That's me."Justin chirped turning his eyes back to me, clearly happy for the distraction. "Guess I'll see you around?"
I nodded. He studied me over a moment more before turning to leave. Examining the boys retreating figure for just I second, I then hurried out of the coffee shop. I wanted to go straight to Claire's but something was telling me to go home.
I ended up having to take the long way around since there was traffic the way I usually drove and the short cut would take me to the side of town I would rather much avoid for the rest of my life. I made it home in thirty minutes, two times the time it would have usually taken, and hopped out of my Red Chevy Cruz. I swiftly made my way to the front of my simple two-story family home. It wasn't much but it was better than the shack we used to call home after my dad ran out on us.
Before I could reach for the knob, the door swung open. My eyes widened in surprise as a startled cry escaped my lips. My body tensed but then relaxed as I realized it was just my mom.
"Mom you scared me," I said stepping into the house. I took off my bag and dropped it next to the door along with my jacket and Calculus book.
"I'm sorry honey. I heard you pull up and came to open the door. You don't usually come home after school is everything alright?" Concern laced her tone but I could hear traces of excitement in her voice, too.
"It's fine," I drawl out a little unsure. "Is everything ... okay?" I take in her petite frame, checking that she still has all of her body parts.
Looking at my mom you would never be able to tell she's thirty-eight years old. She's my mom and I still can't believe she gave birth to me. Her healthy blonde hair sits atop her head in a loose pony tail and she has a Chinese bang hanging over her stormy grey eyes. Her tiny frame is hugged by a pink shawl that rests over a white tank and black leggings cover her legs. Brown fur boots protect her feet. In all honesty, people often thought she was my sister and the thought that she was my mom was always lost on them.
Her face lit with excitement as she grabbed my hand, all concern forgotten. "There's someone here who wants to meet you." She turns and drags me down the hall towards the back of the house.
"Who?" I asked confused.
She doesn't answer as she drags me out of the house to the backyard. There's a decent sized empty pool in the middle of the yard surrounded by a few beach chairs; a jacuzzi attaches to the pool and raises up just a bit so the Pool water doesn't splash in and make it overflow. On the left side of our yard, we have a small gazebo with a picnic table in the center and grill off to the side. At the table sits three people. A woman and two men. They're hunched over a giant chart and as one of the men points, the woman jots down notes on the large piece of paper.
The woman I know is Niomi, and one of the men I can see is Dan, they're in charge of the seating arrangements. The last man, who is standing bent over with his back to me, I don't recognize. My face contorts as my mother drags me to the grey and blue wood gazebo.
My mom and I had all of our relatives seated but according to her, most of Wilson's family was standing next to the overview windows in the back of the banquet hall. We had to seat everyone just so, so that no one started an altercation during the Reception. You know the whole "Aunt Harriet can't sit next to Grandma Rita because they really can't stand each other" and "NO! Uncle Tom can't sit next to Cousin Jill because they will litetally rip each others eyes out." And so on and so forth. In order for us to seat Wilson's family, we had to know who behaved how with who, so we kind of needed inside information; he and Justin were the only ones that could help with that. But Wilson had work so he was rarely around, and of course Justin was no where to be heard of.
"Hey Dan," I yell as we get closer. He throws a hand above his head before pulling it back down and getting back to work.
"Justin, I would like you to meet your sister." My mom pulls us to a stop four feet from the actual table. I turn to face her my eyes rising in question. She smiles and pats my hand that she still has firmly in hers, answering my question.
"And Geneeva I would like you to meet your brother..." Recognition sets in before he turns around. The maroon converse, faded blue jeans, baby blue shirt, broad shoulders and tousled mocha brown hair, "Justin."
He turns around and my suspicions are confirmed. His eyes land on me and a huge grin spreads across his face, displaying his perfect teeth and adorable dimples. The same smile from the coffee shop. He walks towards us and extends his hand. I cautiously take it in my own. "Nice to meet you, Geneeva."