West Coast Winter

Unforgettable

Tina

I woke up a little late after the exhaustion of Christmas and I shouldn't have waited up for Jackie as late as I did. I could plainly see where they were headed in their relationship. I am still her mother though and as a mother, we are hard wired to worry about our children until we die. I check on Henry and Nina. They are still fast asleep in Nina's room. Henry is sprawled out half inside a sleeping bag on the floor and Nina is curled up tight on her bed with her rainbow unicorn. I quietly shut the door and make my way down the hall to the kitchen to put on the coffee. I'm half wondering if Jaclyn stayed the night with Charlie.

When I enter the living room to take my usual spot on the couch, I see my daughter laying on top of Charlie's chest with her arms wrapped around his waist tightly. Charlie's hands rest on her back holding her close. At first, I feel a pang of some feeling I don't quite recognize. On the one hand, this is a very sweet picture. On the other, there is something akin to fear settling over me. I fear for her growing attachment to this man, and I fear her being hurt again. I want this so bad for her, but I also want to protect her.

The coffee beeps that it's ready and I notice Charlie start to stir. I quickly make my exit back to the kitchen before I'm caught staring at the two of them like a weirdo. I decide to greet them both with a cup of black coffee. They can dress it up with cream and sugar if need be.

Charlie rubs his eyes and tries to sit up, but Jaclyn is dead to the world as usual.  Charlie blinks and sees me standing over him extending a mug in his direction. "Good morning", I say plainly with a small smile affixed to my face.

"Good morning", Charlie says in a deep, raspy, and sleepy voice. He accepts the mug awkwardly as he is not in a fully upright position and the weight of my daughter prevents him from doing so.

"When did you two get in?", I ask Charlie.

At the sound of my voice, Jaclyn's eyes open wide and when realization hits, she scoots away from Charlie to the opposite side of the couch as if I've just caught them making out. I can't help but laugh a little. She pulls a throw blanket around her and looks at me a little shamefaced.

I say nothing. I just hand her the mug.

"Thank you", she says in a sleepy voice that almost matches Charlie's as she takes the coffee.

"Uh... I don't remember what time we got here. We put a movie on and fell asleep", Charlie says as he sits up on his corner of the couch.

I finished pouring my own coffee in the kitchen and walked to the loveseat. "You decided to change your clothes first?", I ask before taking a sip. I give them both a knowing glance over the rim of my mug.

Charlie and Jackie both look down at what they're wearing and then at each other and I can see the panic rising in their eyes. Charlie tries to articulate an answer. "Uh... umm... ye... ah..."

"Yup. Dinner clothes can be so constricting when you just want to chill and unwind for the night", Jackie answers for Charlie. I don't know why she's lying to me. She's a grown woman.

"You're obviously wearing Charlie's clothes. You don't have to lie to me. You're both grown.  I know what happened and... it's fine. Are you two an official couple now?", I smile.

"Yes", they answer in unison and exchange a smile that tells me everything I need to know.

Nina and Henry come into the living room yawning and rubbing their eyes. Henry stops short when he sees his dad on the couch. "Dad! Did you sleep here?"

"Uh... no, son. I just came over early for breakfast", Charlie lies. In this case, I guess it's warranted.

"In your pajamas? You never leave the house in sweatpants", Henry observes.