Catching Red Eyes - NYC

Chapter 37

I should have known that my mother would pick the nicest restaurant to just eat lunch. We were surrounded by people in business attire and woman with way too much botox. I wasn't sure how they ate food or if they even ate? When I moved to New York City, I vowed to never eat at these kinds of places because I hated what was inside. I shifted uncomfortably on the stiff chairs and listened to my mother talk to her personal trainer about their meetings for next week. After my mother was off the phone, I tried to start the conversation but she beat me to it.

"So, tell me about this Harry Styles."

"Mom, there isn't much to tell." I was lying to my mother but for good reason. She would use this for a one up on her friends that her daughter was dating someone famous. I love my mother, I do, but she will never inquire about things unless it was to her own advantage. What my dad saw in her, I will never understand but he loved her.

"Honey, I am your mom. I just want to make sure you're happy and he isn't going to hurt you."

Wow. Maybe some time apart from each other gave her a new outlook on life.

"And the girls are going to just die when I tell them the rumors are true!"

And there she was, the mother I knew very well.

"Mom, seriously, there isn't much to tell. We've been hanging out and getting to know each other but nothing serious." I know, total lie again but the less she knew, the better, for now at least.

Before my mother could open her mouth, I saw a very familiar black SUV stop in front of the restaurant. Oh no, no, no, not now, please God, don't let this be happening. The heavens must have heard my pleading because someone that wasn't Harry got out.

"Look, mom, when the time is right, I promise I will tell you everything but right now it's all brand new and I can't say what it is or isn't."

"That's all I ask. I know I like to tell my girls things but as long as you are safe and he is treating you right, that's all I truly care."

I looked at my mom and she was looking back at me. I guess my first thought was right about her changing since I had been living here for almost four years. I still wasn't convinced but this was a start. I did miss her and dad and planned on taking a couple months off after graduation to spend time with them. We finished lunch and my mother dropped me back off at my apartment.

"Call me when you get home, ok? Love you, mom."

"I will, love you too Row. See you in a couple weeks for your graduation! Ah! My little graduate!"

I hugged and kissed her good bye and went back inside my apartment. Laurie was sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by books and papers.

"Thank God you're home! I need help with this stupid American Lit class. I hate the Scarlet Letter so much. Wait, did you just get back from Harry's? You brought clothes? Do you have like a drawer in his fancy hotel room now??" she asked, her face breaking into a wide grin and sly eyes.