The Good Side of Me

Chapter Nine

I wake up the next morning and Anthony is still sleeping. It's only seven but I slip out of bed and throw a sweater on. I quietly leave my bedroom and walk downstairs. I find my mother in the kitchen sitting at the island working on something. She looks up when she notices me walk in and smiles.

"Good morning sweetheart," my mother says softly.

"Morning mom," I reply.

"Sit with me," she says and pats the empty chair next to her. "Do you want a coffee?" She asks.

"Sure, do we have any iced coffee?" I ask and she nods. She makes a coffee for me and sits back down beside me.

"How are you this morning baby?" She asks.

"I'm okay, just tired. I'm not looking forward to this flight," I tell her.

"Can't you stay for a while longer? I don't want you to go back," my mother asks, she looks upset, and I feel bad because I know we can't stay any longer.

"I wish we could mom, but we can't. Anthony has to work tomorrow," I say.

"When are you going to come home? You can't stay down there forever. Are you at least happy living there?" She pries.

"I don't know mom, to be honest not really. I had been thinking about coming home for months but then things happened with Anthony," I reply.

"Do you love him?" She asks.

"Yes," I tell her.

"Then I think you should talk to him about the fact that you're not happy there," my mother says cautiously.

"I can't just rip him away from his life mom, I'm not doing that to him," I tell her.

Suddenly, Anthony turns the corner, and we quickly stop the conversation.

"Moring," Anthony says and smiles. He walks up behind me and wraps his arms around me, resting his chin on my head.

"Morning," I say and smile. "I'm surprised you're awake so early," I add, and he laughs.

"Good morning, everyone," My dad announces as he walks into the kitchen. "What time is your flight today guys?" He asks.

"Chris it's almost eight o'clock, you're going to be late," my mother tells him.

"I took the day off. I wanted to spend a bit more time with the boys before they leave, and I'll drive them to the airport," my dad says and I'm pretty sure I must look like I'm about to drop dead.

"Okay what is going on here? Are you dying or something?" I ask and everyone looks shocked. "I'm serious. You have gone an entire year before without acknowledging my existence and now you're aiming for father of the year?" My dad looks hurt, but I can't control myself.

"I'm going to make breakfast. What do you guys want?" He asks, completely ignoring my outburst.

We sit in the living room with my mother and talk and laugh while my father cooks breakfast. I don't know why I'm feeling like this, but I'm really dreading going home.

A few hours later when we're making our way to the airport, Karen FaceTime's Anthony. He answers and we say hello.

"How did it go baby?" Karen asks me.

"Good," I say and smile at her. I love this woman. She is so kind and genuine. There's no need to wonder where Anthony got it from.

"I told you it would go well honey. What are you two doing this weekend?" She asks us.

"Nothing I don't think," Anthony tells her and looks at me for reassurance. I shake my head in agreement.

"Well, your father and I were thinking about coming for a visit. Is that okay with you guys? I'll even stop and get you your donuts on our way down Blake," she says, and I laugh.

"Of course, we'd love to see you guys. Listen mom, my boyfriend already loves you more than me, don't make it any worse by bringing him any more donuts. I can't keep up here," Anthony jokes and we all laugh.

We say our goodbyes and hang up. I look up in the front seat and notice my mother is crying. "Mom? What's wrong?" I ask, although I'm pretty sure I know the answer.

"How long have Anthony's parents knows about you two? You sound like you have met them before," my mother says.

"Kim, please," my father warns her.

"They've known for a few months. I've met them a few times, I'm sorry mom," I say. I really can understand where she's coming from. I can see how this would hurt her.

"No, it's okay honey. I'm sorry," she smiles.

We get to the airport and we're saying our goodbyes. Mike comes over and says hello to my parents. He pulls me in for a hug.

"See, I told you they'd be happy for you bud," Mike says, and I cringe. Could this be worse timing? I thank him and turn towards my mother.

"I'm sorry mom, I shouldn't have taken so long to tell you. I'm sorry if I hurt you," I say, pulling her in for a hug.

"Don't be silly honey, you had every right to take the time you needed to come out. I'm sorry for reacting the way I did. I just hope you know now that there's nothing you can tell me that would ever change my love for you," My mother says, grabbing my face and kissing my forehead.

"I love you mom." I say.

"I love you too, my sweet boy," she says.

My mother pulls Anthony in for a hug and while they say their goodbyes my father awkwardly hugs me and says goodbye. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. My father hasn't hugged me since I was a kid. He shakes Anthony's hand when my mother is done with him, and we make our way up the steps. I buckle my seatbelt and stare out the window. I'm sad to be leaving.

"Hey, you okay?" Anthony asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I smile, but he doesn't buy it. Thankfully he drops it.

The plane ride is long and boring. As soon as the seatbelt sign is off, we go cuddle up on the couch and pick a movie. Anthony is asleep in my lap before the opening scene is over. I can't help but laugh at him. I don't pay any attention to the movie, instead I sit and think about how badly I want to move home. I convince myself that this is simply because I went home and saw my friends and family, and once I get home to LA and settle back in, I won't feel like this.