Drew-Ski

MICHELLE

I ignored the tap on my door. 

"Drew, may I come in?" 

I groaned while covering my head with a pillow because I knew she was going to come in anyway. 

"Good morning."

And she did. 

"What, is an Uber on the way to take me to the airport?"

"Of course not, and I apologize for speaking to you like that. I was out of line."

"Yup." I held up a thumb from beneath the duvet. "Great talk, can you go now? I have more delusions to create."

"Can you just not be like, like this for one damn minute."

Lisa Cassidy doesn't curse. I threw back the cover and removed the pillow. Now she had my attention. 

"What is it, Mom? I'm exhausted and in no better mood than I was last night."

"About that." She sighed, then gulped before she spoke. "Your Dad talked to Skip. And it appears as though, you're right. He's in love with you." 

That crow must have been difficult to go down, but I was too happy to gloat. Hopping out of bed, I grabbed my robe before running towards the door. 

"Wait." My mother called out. "He's not here, he stayed on the boat and hasn't come back, yet."

"Okay."  

I glanced around the room searching for something to throw on. I needed to get to him.

"So, could you and I talk mother to daughter before anything else happens?"

"What's going to happen? He's surely not going to propose now."

"Baby, he has to."

"Psh, no... he doesn't. We're not in the Middle East."

"That has nothing to do with what has to be."

"What are you talking about, has to be? Why can't you just be happy for us?"

"Drew, all I want is for you to be happy, I do. But there's more to this than your feelings."

 I pressed my lips while cutting my eyes in her direction. Catching my drift, she added, "And his."

"So, what, you and Dad knows he loves me and you still expect me to be okay with this marriage?"

"I expect you to one day understand why parents move the way they do." 

"I'll never understand, and I for sure would never stand by and watch the lives of my children unravel."

"I get it. All of this is over your head and that's okay. What isn't okay is you ruining that poor girl's time on the island. She will be a guest in our home and we don't air dirty laundry. Do you understand what I'm saying? So until she leaves, we are all right as rain and you and Skip's feelings are secondary."

"He's planning to propose, that's not right as rain."

 "Jesus, Drew. calm down, please. At least allow time for us to talk to Kevin and Tracey, and for  to him discuss anything he needs to with them. Could you at least do that?"

"If I do, will you open your mind  to what I have to say?"

I swear her left eye twitched. 

"Yes, I'll listen."

"Not listen, Mom. Will you be open to what I have say."

"Only if that sentiment is reciprocated."

I nodded, smiling as I bounced with excitement. 

"Okay, then we have deal. Now please stop hopping around like that and clean yourself up. Breakfast will be ready in thirty minutes." 

"Yes, ma'am." 

I saluted her, then flopped onto the bed, squealing with excitement the second she closed my door. Reaching for my phone, I called Skip. It went straight to voicemail. I called again before sending a text. I reasoned he must still be asleep so I decided to shower and prepare myself for an interesting day. 

As I glided downstairs, I didn't pick up on the silence. Looking around, the house was empty with breakfast still on the counter. Where the hell was everyone? Shrugging, I grabbed a warm biscuit while stuffing my mouth with another. 

"Good morning." 

I jumped, nearly knocking over a warming tray filled with yellow grits. Turning around, my muffled hello and pastry wave maxed out my embarrassment. Michelle stood there without a hair out of place looking stunning in a white romper and gold sandals. My attire included boy shorts and a half tank top. 

"You must be Drew. It's so nice to finally meet you in person."

It may have been a pleasure for her, for me, not so much. Accepting her hand, I dropped a buttery biscuit, then kicked it under the table. 

"Where is everybody?"

"Down by pier. You know how adults like to discuss everything like it's top secret. Skip isn't here, and I wanted to talk to you anyway, so could we?" 

She motioned me towards the kitchen nook. 

"Yeah, sure." 

Once seated, she smiled while smoothing out her wrinkle free romper.  I shifted with slight discomfort as I adjusted my tank. 

"So." She began with a smile. "I wanted to let you in on a secret."

"Okay?"

"Sometime this weekend, Skip is going to propose."  She covered her mouth as she gasped with excitement. "That's what they are talking about out there, I just know it."

"What makes you think that's what he's planning to do?"

Winking, she replied. "I have my reasons." She emphasized, " And Tracey and Kevin were talking about inviting my parents to Hera Island on Sunday."

"That's nothing." I was eager to debunk her theory. "Uncle Kevin and Aunt Tracey are social people. We host parties all the time. In fact, our parents' are known as party animals from here to the Saltlair Reserve. So don't get all excited over nothing. I wouldn't want you to be disappointed."

"I won't be." She sat taller in her seat. "Anyway, I would like to ask you in advance if you could be my matron of honor."

I couldn't help but laugh. 

"You met me all of three minutes ago. That's a bit presumptuous in more ways than one don't you think?

"Oh, I would never attempt to offend you, Drew. I ask because I know how close you and Skip are and since you and I will practically be in-laws, I wanted to make sure as his little sister and best friend that you would have a significant role in the wedding."

"Let him propose, first. Then, we'll talk." 

I pushed away from the table, snatched a fresh biscuit, then left the house. Grabbing my bike from the garage, I hopped on, then pedaled to the marsh. I needed her to go, and the only person who could make that happen was Skip.