Clara Spencer

Chapter 13

Edited by SayWatt74 (sorry if you get a double notification, I had issues tagging my editor and wanted to make sure to include them)

Despite the fact that the moody weather had delayed her plane by several hours, Clara still had arrived at her destination all in one piece. Neither the murky clouds nor the chilly December winds could dampen her spirit on this day.

Scanning the drop-off area of the airport she looked for her parent's car among the multitude of them. It was hectic between the bustling people, the honking of cars, and their bright lights. She was beginning to lose her patience when, there, towards the back row of cars stood two familiar figures.

Clara rushed towards her parents, her luggage in tow, forgetting her boyfriend who had also made the journey with her. Upon reaching them she threw herself into their arms, taking in the scent of Mama's lavender perfume and Papa's clinging aftershave. For a moment, the warmth of their hug drove away the chill of the gloomy weather.

At last, Clara stepped back and got her first good look at her parents in four months. Her Mama's bobbed chestnut hair framed her warm brown face, and her wide grin made her seem younger than her wrinkles let on.

Her Papa, on the other hand, being several years older than her Mama, showed the classic signs of his age. Most of his hair was almost completely dominated by silver streaks, and it seemed his bushy eyebrows were next. His well-groomed mustache remained almost one color, and a wave of nostalgia flooded Clara as she remembered the numerous times she would watch him trim it. The one thing she always found youthful in her Papa was the mischievous glint in his eyes. Her Papa was usually the fun parent.

Upon breaking their embrace, her Mama immediately hovered over her and brought her hands to cradle her head, examining her as if she were injured.

"How was the flight? Were you able to get some sleep?" Her eyebrows furrowed as she ambushed Clara with questions. "I'm sorry your flight got delayed, and on your birthday no less! The airline will be getting a very stern complaint from me. We paid a lot of money just for them to screw up and waste our time."

"Mama, it's ok." Clara soothed, "The flight went great once we departed, I even managed to get some sleep. And there's no need to complain, the weather caused the delay; it wasn't their fault."

Her Mama's concerned glance softened."Still, it's just such an inconvenience. We have even less time with you now."

"A couple of hours doesn't make a difference Mama. Not anymore. I'm staying here longer than just this weekend," Clara nervously bit her lip.

"Oh, how come? I thought you said you had exams in a week," her Papa asked as he finished putting away her luggage.

Clara fiddled with her hands, unsure of where to begin. "Well, about that, I'm actually–" A sudden touch of her shoulder cut her off mid-sentence. In her haste to reach her parents, she had completely forgotten her boyfriend now beside her. "Oh, I'm so sorry Zach! I didn't mean to leave you behind, I was just so excited," she apologized, her cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment.

"No worries, babe!" Zach flashed a charming grin. "It took me a while to catch up and not lose sight of you, but I understand." Clara gratefully smiled back.

A cough from her Mama reminded her that she had yet to introduce him to her parents.

"Right! Mama, Papa, this is my, erm," she hesitated, "my boyfriend, Zach. He um... decided to join me on my trip to celebrate my birthday. Zach, these are my parents." Clara's nerves were at their highest. She was unsure of how this was going to play out.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Martin," Zach greeted, his American accent shining through. He extended his hand to Clara's parents but neither took it, staring at him as if he were a ghost.