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Eli and I share a look. Mine is begging him to go, to not put himself in this situation. His is pleading with me to invite him to stay. Neither of us are able to make the decision before my mother speaks again.
“Your boyfriend doesn’t have to leave on account of my unannounced visit. Please, do come in. Eli, right?”
Rolling my eyes, praying they stay in the back of my head, so I don’t have to witness what’s about to unfold, I nod for Eli to come in. After properly introducing him to my mother, we all take a seat in the tiny sitting area of the room. Uncomfortable silence settles between us.
Eli is staring between me and my mother.
My mother is staring between me and Eli.
I’m staring straight ahead, not wanting to look at either of them. The tension is thick. It hurts to swallow, my throat suddenly dry. Unable to stand it any longer, I excuse myself and make my way into the bathroom, closing the door behind me.
Gripping the counter as I stare at myself in the mirror, I barely recognize the person staring back at me. I’ve stood up to my mother before but not like this. She’ll make demands, we’ll argue, but then I eventually cave to whatever it is she wants because I can’t stand to fight with her.
Letting out a sigh, I release the white-knuckle grip I have on the porcelain, fill a glass with water, and toss it back. Squaring my shoulders, ready for round two of a fight with my mother, I head back to join her and Eli. They’re engrossed in light conversation, but as I approach, they both fall silent.
“Well, as nice as this visit has been, Taylor, I know you have work to do. It was a pleasure meeting you, Eli.” My mother stands and shakes Eli’s hand again before turning to me and opening her arms.
Does she really expect me to hug her? That’s not exactly something we do. Then again, she is on show right now and the part she’s playing is loving mother. I shouldn’t have expected any less from her.
“I’ll talk to you soon, Mother,” I state firmly. I don’t move from where I’m now seated in the uncomfortable, high-backed chair.
“Sounds delightful. We have so much to catch up on. Tootles.”
Tootles?
Wow! She’s laying it on thick.
As soon as the door closes behind her, the sound of the lock catching echoing through the room, Eli’s at my side, kneeling in front of me.
I want to ask him what she said. To make sure she wasn’t rude or inappropriate. He doesn’t give me the chance.
“Are you okay?”
“Fine.,” I state dismissively. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, when I heard she was here, I wanted to warn you. I didn’t realize she already found you.”
“Warn me? About my mother? Why?”
What I really want to ask … People know she’s here?
“Because I heard your conversation earlier. I have a great relationship with my parents, and I wouldn’t want them to show up here, unannounced. I’m working. Shit like that can throw the universe out of whack. And judging by the expression on your face right now, she’s done just that.”
“The universe is fine,” I state, standing.
He pushes himself up off the carpet, towering over me when he reaches his full height. “Are you fine, too? Because I don’t believe you are.”
Letting out a sigh, I give in to the feelings I’m repressing.
“No, I’m not fine. I’m confused. I’m overwhelmed. And that was before she walked through that door and started making demands.”
“What are you confused about?”
If there was ever a time to confess my feelings for him, it’s now. We’re alone. The moment is charged. My head’s not clear, but I doubt it ever will be when it comes to Eli.
Still, I know what I have to do. And if it doesn’t work out, I know the girls will be there no questions asked.
I need to take a leap of faith.
