Mr. Ryan Flent and Me

Family

Chapter 9:
Ryan's POV:

After dinner and dessert her parents drive us back to her house. By the time we get there it's already dark outside. They offer me to stay for the tour but I tell them that I'm going to go home. I head back to my car and drive home. I flip on the radio and "Dirty Little Secret" is playing. I tap on the steering wheel to the beat of the song. I laugh at the irony of the song title.
I pull into the driveway of my house. I see that the kitchen light is on as well as Michael's bedroom light. He probably ate in his room, again. I sigh and head for the front door. I open the screen door then unlock the front door. I silently close the door, hoping no one heard me come in.
"Ryan? Is that you, honey?" I hear my mom call out from the kitchen.
"Yes, mom. It's me."
Who else would it be?
I head to the kitchen and find my mother sitting at the kitchen table - we haven't ate in the dining room since Allan left for college last year. Since then nothing's been the same. Michael avoids my parents at all cost because they have such high standards for him.
"How was your day honey? Didn't you pick up the Townman's girl?"
"Yes, mom. Her name's Cassandra."
"That's a pretty name."
"Yeah it is. I - uhh - I told her she was my girlfriend."
My mom smiles at me and gestures for me to take a seat.
"Now honey, why would you do that?" She says as I sit down across from her.
"I don't know mom. Because she's not a slut. Or a cheater. And I don't think she's using me." I say with tension in my voice.
"Now, not all of your past girlfriends were that bad." She says politely.
"Mom, why am I having this conversation with you? You're my mother, not my best friend."
"No, honey, please, talk to me." I clench my jaw and sigh. I run my fingers through my hair. She reaches out and touches the edge of my jacket. His jacket. Allan's jacket. The only thing he left behind before he headed off to college and never came back. It's almost been a year but it still kills my mom. He's doesn't call. Or send letters. He doesn't keep in touch at all. She's lost Allan and slowly losing Michael. I guess I'm all she has left. She's rubbing the edge of the jacket and smiling. I sigh knowing I'm the only child she has left that will bother to talk to her.
"Okay, mom, okay. So I've had one okay girlfriend. Veronica. And then that ended."
"So you thought telling an amnesiac girl that you were her boyfriend was a good idea?"
"I know, I know. It's stupid. But I go to parties and I make out with girls. I'm always making out with girls. None of my relationships last. But I think this will be different. Cassandra's different."
"What happens when she remembers?" She says softly.
"That's a good question." I say with a nervous laugh. My mom nods, empathetically.
"How's her father doing?" She asks, thankfully changing the subject from my failed love life.
"After the accident, Michael pulled her out, as you know. And I rode in the ambulance with her and the doctors told me he was unconscious. And so was Cassandra. We got to the hospital and he woke up. He had a few scratches but he was fine. And then when I saw him again today he was looking better."
"Well that's good to hear." My mom grasps my hand and squeezes. She stands up and smooths her skirt. She glances at her watch and tells me she's off to bed. I watch her as she goes upstairs, a few seconds later I hear the shower water turn on. After a few more seconds I get up and head upstairs to my room. I flip the light switch on and the fan comes on as well. I take Allan's jacket off and set it on my computer chair, where I keep it every night. I hop into the bed without bothering to put pajamas on. I stare at the fan swirl until I drift off to sleep.

�Y-C�