Match Made

Grasping At Straws

The beginning of the school year started rough but around November Aden started refocusing on our love again. I was head over heels in love with Aden. We had been together for over a year, plus I lost my virginity to him. I just wanted to be with him forever.

Not long after the party he took me to a strip mall in a ritzy suburb. It was small but elegant and the only stores it had were Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermès, and the like. The food court served pate, and salmon salad, no fast food. It was very high-end. Every store we'd go to Aden would tell me how we were going to wear designers but buy the outfits and handbags that weren't gaudy.

Holding my hand he said, "That's how wealthy people do it. They don't expose to the world how rich they are, they're real low-key with it."

Gazing at him, I just nod and agree. Feeling eyes, I glance back and Dallas is just glaring my way.

Aden asks, "Kelly are you hungry?"

"Yes."

"Wow look at the menu." He mused.

It's then Dallas complains, "Man I don't want no tuna fish, I need real food. I'm starving."

Cutting his eyes towards me Aden asks, "Do you want to eat here?"

To keep the peace I answer, "We'll try this next time. We can go somewhere else."

Now grimacing toward Dallas he says, "Okay."

Today is Thanksgiving and Aden's oldest brother invites me over. I'm ecstatic about going. I'm hoping his older siblings will fall in love with me so that Aden will never leave me. I tell my mom of my plans, but she says, "Sorry Kelly we're going to Chicago this Thanksgiving so tell Aden no."

My mom has no idea what I've been dealing with in school. It's senior year and the girls who never had their chance to touch and kiss Aden have resolved to get him away from me. He loves me but I sense the pressure is overpowering his will to be faithful. As much as I despised Duran for attacking my Aden, I appreciated it too. I believe Aden seeing that someone else was eager and waiting to date me caused him to refocus on strengthening our relationship.

I beg, "Mom may I please stay..." 

"No! End of discussion. You're with Aden every day. Let him spend time with his family while you celebrate with yours. Now, go to bed. We're leaving early."

Lying in bed, Aden calls asking, "Are you coming with me tomorrow?"

"My mom hasn't given me a direct answer yet." I lied.

"Your mom doesn't like me, does she?"

"Why would you think that? It's just the holiday and she's used to all her kids being with her. But she gotta let me grow up."

"Right. Well call me early so I'll know if I'm picking you up or not."

Thanksgiving morning I'm pleading with my mom to let me stay home, but she yells, "Kelly you're not staying alone all night with your boyfriend! I'm not stupid! Now go get ready so we can leave!"

Crying I run into my room, unscrew the doorknob, and lock myself inside. Oh, my goodness! Why did I do that? My mom's calling me all kinds of silly such and such's and so and so's. My baby sister and brother are at the door begging for me to come out so we can go to my aunt in Chicago. Desiree wants to stay home too so I hear her ask, "Mom, you just want me to stay home with her? I'll make sure Aden doesn't spend the night."

My mom scolds, "Des, please."

Soon I heard the phone ringing. I forgot I was supposed to call him. My mom answers, "Hello Aden. Kelly can't talk because she's getting ready to go to see her family in Chicago. Yes, Happy Thanksgiving to you too. Goodbye."

Suddenly a wail bellows out of me. It's then I crawl into bed and cry myself to sleep.

Around 2 p.m. I woke up to the smell of ham and vanilla extract. Too ashamed to leave my room I just sat in bed. Minutes later I hear light tapping then, "Kelly? You up?"

It's Desiree. I whimper, "Yeah."

"Mom's not angry anymore. She just wants you to come and eat with us."

"Okay."

I reinsert the doorknob, unlock my door, and then go into the bathroom. My eyes are so closed and puffy that all I can do is shake my head. Washing my face and brushing my teeth, I headed to the dining room. My baby sister and brother just smirk my way. My mom comes out of the kitchen saying, "Well our feelings are hurt. We're nothing when it comes to Aden, huh?"

Hanging my head I cry, "I'm sorry mama."

"It's okay. Your mom didn't feel like driving that far anyway. This is my ideal Thanksgiving. Being here with my children."

Finally, I look up and she hugs me. After grace, Desiree whispers in my ear, "I'm kicking Aden's ass when I see him."

Chuckling I shrug. Scowling she continues, "Oh you know why. You're not acting like this for nothing. Reno and I were in the basement that night, so we heard you two!"

I feel my face flushing, so I drop my head and just eat.