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TWO
~ Samuel ~
I knew the day had been coming ever since I had decided to move home to look after my elderly parents. Dad had always been on his feet and working hard, which is why it was surprising how fast he deteriorated. By the time he passed away, he was a shell of his former self.
I could hear the sobs from down below, like clockwork at midday. It had been two days since the funeral and, although my mother tried to conceal it, her sorrow was palpable throughout the house. I made my way down the stairs to the kitchen, where she was trying to bury her face in one of her old cookbooks.
“Everything okay, ma?” I asked as I walked in.
Of course, it wasn’t, but it was the customary thing to ask.
She wiped her tears away using the back of her sleeve before giving me a watery smile. She tapped the stool next to her as a means of invitation. I joined her at the island counter and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She had lost a lot of weight ever since dad had started going downhill, and after his death, she was practically skeletal.
“He used to sit here with me every night after we put you to bed. I used to fix him up his whisky on the rocks, and we’d chat about what we did throughout the day,” her eyes glazed over, as though she were living in the past, “No matter how mad we were at each other, we would always sit right here and talk.”
I pulled her into me as another wave of sobs wracked through her lean frame. My mother was a strong woman, making it even more difficult to see her in this state. After a while, her crying subsided, leaving me with a wet shoulder in its place.
“I always thought we’d one day be sitting here with you and your wife, sharing stories and talking about our days.”
My mom had always been pestering me about getting married, but I’d always thrown myself into my studies. My dentistry career needed constant education, and all my girlfriends eventually faded away when they realized I was unable to provide them with my constant attention. Only a few had met my mother, yet she was devastated every time she heard they left. At the age of thirty-seven, I knew she was thinking my time for finding a good wife and settling down was slowly depleting. That’s why she kept trying to match me up with her friend’s daughters at church.
“It’s good that Aria is in town,” she said, patting my hand.
I was surprised at the sudden change in conversation. That was until I saw the look on her face.
Here we go again.
“She was always such a sweet girl. Delilah raised that girl right. Have you seen how well she’s doing? Delilah always talks about her on our calls. You know, when your dad and I found out that you were dating her back in high school, we were over the moon. Couldn’t be a better match. A pretty girl like that dating our son. And now look at you both, woefully single.”
It was the same thing every time Aria’s name got brought up. We had been a great couple in high school. Better than great. We had been amazing. She had been the love of my life. At least, that’s what I thought when I was a teenager. But now, I was an adult and had to put a perspective on things. It was just a first love hormonal craze. When college came around, and we were separated, we barely kept in touch. Between both our hectic work schedules afterward, we never heard from one another. And then we were there, standing at my father’s graveside.
And yet, there was something there.
My mom, oblivious to my inner turmoil, continued, “James would have been thrilled to see you sitting here with her. I can just imagine the babies you two would have had. Absolutely gorgeous. And both of you so smart and successful, it would have been perfect. I guess that’ll never happen now…”
I don’t know what came over me, and to this day, I still can’t be sure. All I know is that I couldn’t bear to see my mom in that much pain. I had to do something, anything, to alleviate her pain. To see her smile one more time.
“I’m dating Aria,” I blurted.
Anything… but that. The reaction was instant.
“You’re dating Aria Taylor? That sweet girl next door?” she asked incredulously.
I knew there was no going back. Instead, I nodded, trying my best not to give away any hint of a lie. For the first time in months, it was as though all the energy flowed back into my mother as she leaped from her chair with a whoop. She clapped her hands gleefully before pinching my cheek hard.
“And why didn’t you say anything earlier, boy? She shouldn’t have been standing at the back of the church at your father’s funeral. She’s family. And I hope soon it will be official. Can’t believe you’ve been keeping it from me.”
Dumbfounded, I let my mouth do the talking, “With everything going on with dad, I didn’t want to put that on your plate. I thought we should wait it out until the time was right.”
She placed her hands on her hips, “You’re a damn fool, that’s what you are. Now you had better be inviting her around for dinner tonight. It’s about time she spoke to her future mother-in-law.”
“Ma, we haven’t even talked about marriage yet. It’s still a long way…”
“Nonsense. Now stop your blabbering and get on over there. I’ve got to get to the grocery store to pick up some things for later.”
Before I could say anything else, she had practically shoved me out the front door in her eagerness. My mouth hung open as I let it sink in exactly what I had got myself into.
This could work, if only for a little while.
