I’d never been an expert on dating and this is because all throughout high school I never dated a guy. I’d blame the reasons I wasn’t unable to catch a single guy’s eye on a long list of things, to which I will not bore you with. It is because of my serious lack of experience in the relationship department that I’ve never been heartbroken or let down by someone that I like. So, it was an understatement to say I was hurt and crushed when I walked out of the bathroom of the hotel to find no Bryson - just a simple note that said: “Don’t wait up”.
I wish I could describe to you the way I felt but fact is I can’t. All I know to say is, I was hurt and humiliated. He left me, when I asked him not to, after I admitted how I felt. I put myself out there, only to get rejected...
Looking out the car window of the taxi I was in, I sighed. Maybe this was his form of payback. He wanted me to feel how he felt when I rejected him. Yet, at the same time I felt that he wouldn’t do that to me...
I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. He did, after all say that he wasn’t going to promise to be there when I got out.
Resting my head on the warm glass, I wondered when anger would consume me for in this whole time of eight hours, I’ve not felt one single ounce of anger and hate towards him. I would have figured when I was packing my bags (after I read the note) that I would have been blanketed with anger. However, I wasn’t - not even when I boarded the plane a day early and by myself.
Instead, I was feeling sick - like literally sick. I knew it was stress. I get this way when I’m stressed out, I hate it but it was my body’s way of handling the heavy emotions that a normal person in my position would feel.
“Ma’am, we are here.”
I removed my head from the window glass and looked out to see that the cab driver was right; we were here - in front of my mother’s house. I dug in my pocket and pulled out some cash I stole from Bryson’s suitcase before I left the hotel. “Here, keep the change,” I proclaimed and got out.
Walking over to the trunk of the car, I pulled out my suitcase and carry on bag. Closing the trunk, I started to make my way to my mother’s front door. Once at her doorstep I exhaled loudly.
She was without a doubt going to ask me a million and one questions about why I was at her house at three in the morning. Most questions after that are going to be directed towards the honeymoon and where Bryson was.
I knocked a few times before ringing the doorbell twice. I knew I was waking her up and I can’t say I didn’t feel bad, but I needed a place to crash for the night - Bryson’s apartment was out of the question for I feared, slightly, he might go home early too when he notices I have left the hotel. The last thing in the world I wanted was to be confronted with Bryson, alone.
It took a few minutes but soon the door opened.
My jaw nearly hit the porch flooring when I saw, “Coach Daniels?” I spoke with shock for I was staring at Coach Daniels, a Coach at my - former - high school. He was the guy my mother had a deep crush on, I can still remember her making lame excuses to come to my school. It was all to see him though. Peter and I always picked at her to ask him out, but she would always change the subject or shrug us off.
Coach wiped his tired eyes, “Well, this is awkward...” He muttered with a sense of humor laced in his voice.
I gave a dry chuckle, “Tell me about it...”
“I will go wake up your mom,” He stated. Coach Daniels turned around and walked towards my mother’s room, leaving the door open for me to come in.
I stepped in the house and closed the door behind me. I set my suitcase and carry on beside the door and strolled into the living room. My eyes danced around the room and I, very soon, took note of all the boxes littering the living room. My curiosity got the better of me and I walked over to one of the boxes. Looking in, I saw that the box was full of my things. Peeking in a few more I realized that every single box in here was indeed filled with my belongings. I raised an eyebrow wondering why in the world my mother would pack my things up and put them in here.
“I was going to tell you when you got back,” I heard my mother speak from the entrance of the living room.
I spun around and faced her tired face. “You were going to tell me that you packed all my things and tossed them in the living room, or that you are shaking up with Coach Daniels?”
Mother, who was leaning on the living room doorpost, sighed, “Both.” Her eyes bore into me as she tightened the tie to her pink silk robe. “The boxes are for you to take to Bryson’s, Frank - or as you know him, Coach Daniels -” The corner of mother’s lips twitched up at the mere mention of his name, “And I figured we’d do it as another wedding present for you. Seemed a wise idea, for it would save you the hassle when you got back from the honeymoon ... Hey, want some green tea?” She asked before walking towards the kitchen.
I followed her into the kitchen and watched as she went over to the sink and filled the kettle with water.
“I will never forget,” Mother spoke once she knew I was in the room, “Your father and I got into the biggest fight a week after our honeymoon. I came to my mother’s house, around this hour, and she told me that fights are going to happen. You will win and lose some.” Placing the kettle on the stove, Mother turned on the eye.
“Bryson and I didn’t get in a fight, per say,” I admitted as I leaned on a counter.
“Then why are you here, alone, at this hour?” She questioned as she twisted around and faced me.
“Long story,” I exclaimed as I started to lightly drum my fingers on the counter beside me.
Mother nodded, “I have time.”
I shook my head, “Not for this story ... Listen, I’m not really in the mood for tea ... I just came here to crash in my bed for the night and possibly a few more to follow.”
Mom studied me for a long second before turning off the eye of the stove. “I asked Frank out the day of your graduation ... we went out that night when I found out you weren’t going to have dinner with me. He was with me when I found out that you and Peter were in a wreck. Since you have been staying at Bryson’s, Frank has been here ... he has a three-year-old daughter, Mindy. She’s been staying here too and since you’ve gone off and gotten married, I gave her your room.”
I tried not to be upset as I nodded. “I’ll just stay in Peter’s room.”
“Okay, just keep in mind that your brother's dog, Cobra, is in there.”
“Cobra?! That dog hates me!” I exclaimed as I gave a loud exhale, wondering why life and that damn dog hate me so much.
“Sorry, your brother’s roommate, Ron, from college brought Cobra over a few days ago because he was going home for summer vacation and couldn’t take care of Cobra any longer.” Mother crossed her hands over her chest and peered at me. “I’m sorry; I can’t let Cobra out of the room because Mindy is allergic to dogs. Right now, I am doing my best to keep her allergies down.”
I nibbled on my bottom lip, thinking of opinions. “I’ll just sleep on the couch,” I exclaimed as I pushed myself off the counter.
“Okay, I will get Frank to move the boxes off the couch.”
I shook my head, “I can move them. Go back to bed.”
Mom studied me for a minute before raising her eyebrow, “Are you sure? I’m more then positive Frank would not mind getting up and moving the boxes for you.”
Giving mother a final nod, I even started to make my way to the door that led back to the living room. “It’s fine,” I muttered.
Walking into the living room, I went over to the couch. With all the strength I could muster I moved the heavy boxes off the couch and onto the floor. With some kicking and pushing, I was able to move them over and out of my way.
“Here, I got you some clean linens for the couch and if you feel like taking a shower I got a few towels out for you.” Mother stated right as I got back to the couch from retrieving my suitcase and carry on that I left by the front door.
“Thanks,” I stated and grabbed the linens from her.
“No problem, if the couch is uncomfortable ... good luck with Cobra,” She exclaimed with humor seeping from her voice.
I shook my head and gave a single chuckle, “No thank you, I’d rather sleep outside then deal with that demon dog of a German Shepherd.”
Mother gave a light laugh before saying goodnight and going back to her room. I quickly set up the couch and placed the towels on the coffee table, not fully in the mood to shower. Lying down on the couch, for what felt like a lifetime, I found that I wasn’t able to sleep. My thoughts kept running to the idea of Bryson.
Was he mad that I left?
Did he see the note I left that informed him of the meeting with my father tomorrow?
Will he come?
I tried to suppress my rambling thoughts of Bryson, yet it was in vain. He kept popping up in my head no matter how hard I tried to get rid of him.
I flipped over on the couch so I was lying on my stomach. Burying my face in the cushion, I wondered what I was going to do. So much so, that I started to fear what would happen when I see him next. Would I suddenly feel all the hurt and anger?
Oh, how I hoped not. I’d rather feel like I have to throw up every second of the day then feel the hurt and anger I knew I was bound to feel.
Turning my head to the side, I pressed my right cheek to the cool cushion of the couch. With my eyes wide open, I sighed for what felt like the millionth time - all while knowing there was no way in hell I was going to get some sleep tonight.
<><><><>
A/N:
Anywhoo,
I wanna say THANK YOU! While I didn't pass my comment record (in this story) of forty something comments ... My Lovely Jerk did reach ONE MILLION READS!!! I can't believe it! I'm so emotional about it! Thank you lovely peeps!
Please:
VOTE
COMMENT
SMILE
and maybe, share with your friends!