𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘇 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀

CHAPTER 2

𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬
-𝗟𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗸 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘇

A week had passed since my father's departure on deployment. My mother, now five months pregnant, was struggling with his absence. Seeing her anguish was heartbreaking, especially knowing the truth about the kind of person he truly was. If only she knew his true nature, she wouldn't feel such sadness. The dichotomy of the situation weighed heavily on me.

Early in the morning, I approached my mother with the suggestion of going for ice cream. It was a lovely day, and I thought it might help lift her spirits. Much to my relief, she agreed, and we embarked on the outing together. Being a short distance away, walking would normally be a simple option, but considering she was five months pregnant, I decided it was best to drive.

I parked the car on the side of the street, and our destination quickly came into view — the beloved ice cream parlor known as C.C. Brown's. As my eyes scanned the area, taking in the people milling about, I couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort. Social anxiety had been a constant companion in my life, and its impact on me was often underestimated by others.

I faced my mother, mustering a smile as I spoke. "Mama, why don't I just go in and grab something for us? That way, you won't have to deal with the crowd."

My mother looked at me, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. "Oh, darling, you don't have to do that," she protested gently.

"No mom it's okay." I say already getting out of the car. "I'll be back shortly."

I didn't let my mother say anything before I was already heading inside, my anxiety skyrocketing at the thought of having to place an order on my own. As I walked into the shop, I was confronted by the sight of numerous people inside, which only heightened my nerves. I stood near the entrance, trying to calm myself as I studied the menu, unsure of what to choose.

Suddenly, the worst possible thing happened – I bumped into a boy walking ahead of me. I froze in my tracks, bracing myself for the worst. The boy turned around, looking down at me and mumbling a quick, "Sorry, ma'am."  Before I could even respond, he had walked away, his head lowered. I couldn't help but notice his attire — a Ralph Lauren polo button-down shirt, paired with khaki pants. I watched him make his way to a table where another boy sat, the two of them already engaged in a lighthearted conversation, with the boy who bumped into me seemingly teasing the other.

After placing my order and paying for a simple vanilla ice cream for my mother who I wasn't sure could handle anything more, and a strawberry shake for myself, both of which I hoped would satisfy our taste buds, I thanked the cashier and turned around, my movement interrupted by a burning feeling of someone watching me. I turned my gaze towards the boy I had collided with just moments ago. My eyes met his, and I caught sight of a small, soft smile that etched across his face, his eyes crinkling ever so faintly. I couldn't help but notice how captivating his smile was, but I quickly averted my gaze and walked out.

I handed my mother her vanilla shake, which she accepted with a smile. "Here you go, Mama. I hope vanilla is okay," I said.

"Of course, dear," she replied. I then asked, "Do you want to head back home? Or is it too hot for you?" I couldn't help but feel a pang of worry – my father's words echoed in my mind, but at the same time, I didn't relish the thought of having to constantly watch over her. Should anything happen to him, it would be just the three of us – my mother, the baby, and I.

My mother replied, her voice gentle but firm. "No, no, sweetheart, stop worrying. I'm fine. How about we go to the beach instead? It's almost sunset, and we can enjoy our shakes while watching it together – just you and me, like old times."

"That's perfect mom." I drove off. It took a bit to get to the beach. Around 14 miles from Calabasas to my Malibu beach. We both got out and walked down into the sand. The beach was a vision of vibrant beauty – the golden sun dipping closer to the horizon, casting a warm glow over the waves as they gently lapped against the shoreline. The beach was bustling with people, but we had managed to find a more secluded spot, nestled away from the crowded area. As we sat down on the warm sand, my mother and I engaged in a comfortable exchange of small talk, enjoying the peaceful moment together.

As I sipped my strawberry shake and conversed with my mother, I found my thoughts drifting back to the boy I had bumped into earlier – his soft smile and kind eyes lingered in my memory. In the back of my mind, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to him, a secret hidden behind his gentle demeanor. The thought haunted me, but I pushed it aside, choosing to focus on the moment with my mother on the beach. Boy with the kind eyes.

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