Under The Lights

Thirty- Titan Pierce

I keep glancing at the living room nervously as i place some bacon down on the heated pan.

I pray she doesn't say anything embarrassing to Record. Showing up here unannounced, i shake my head, i should've answered her calls. I knew she was just gonna bug me with questions about Record but at least it would be mild compared to this. To think she would actually come at i don't even know what time it is.

I look at the clock above the stove as I begin mixing some eggs to make omelets. 12:06.

I mean I'm glad to see her but she couldn't have come a little later? Maybe sent a text before hand? I think back to before she rung that doorbell, when my hands were on Record's smooth skin, my body gets hot just thinking about it. Why did she have to get here so early?

I sigh as i begin to pour some of the eggs into another pan, my ears perking up when i hear Record laugh at something my mother said.

What could they possibly be talking about?

Is it bad that I want my mom to leave? I just want to lay down with Record again.

I see Record going upstairs with Kora following after her and I quickly call my mom over.

"Yes dear?" She leans on the fridge while I'm still by the stove.

I glance at her."What are you two whispering about."

A smile hasn't left her face since she walked in the door. She crosses her arms."We aren't whispering."

"Well I can't hear it so I'm gonna call it whispering." I frown folding the omelette.

She holds her hand against her chest. "Are you worried I'll say something bad about my own son?"

"Yes." I take the bacon and put it on a plate with a paper towel as she laughs at me. "Don't worry I haven't had the chance to, yet."

"Where did Record go?" I glance at the stairs hoping she'll come back down them.

"She went to take her pain meds." She says glancing at the food.

"You're taking good care of her right?" She looks back at me, her face serious for the first time since she entered this place.

"Of course i am." I say a little offended. She did raise me to be a good man.

"Im sorry i just had to make sure." Her smile is gentle as she pats my shoulder.

I sigh, understanding. "I know."

"So she's a tattoo artist, huh. I saw all the ink on her legs before she slammed the door in my face. Im guessing they're under those bandages too."

I feel my shoulders stiffening."She feels bad about that." I say as i put some bread in the toaster.

She nods grinning. "I know she does, it was funny."

"So what did you guys talk about?" I say a bit impatiently, i really wanna know what my mom said.

She shrugs smiling. "I just wanted to know more about her. Where she went to school, if shes got any siblings, what her parents do. What she does in her free time. How she got those burns saving someone. Stuff like that."

I don't even know most of that stuff yet.

"Stop with that frown." She says.

"Im not frowning."

"Yes you are." She points at me like she just remembered something. "You know thats the exact face you made when that little girl you liked on the playground tripped you when you were five. And that was right before you started crying."

I look at her like she's crazy. Why would she even say that."Mom! I hope you didn't tell Record that story."

She laughs at me. "Not yet. Are you gonna cry?"

"Of course not." I sigh as I grab the toast and put butter on it before plating the omelette with the bacon.

"Here." I hand her the plate as i make another omelette.

"Thanks honey." She says as she takes a seat by the counter. I swear she's my biggest bully.

"So when are you leaving?" My tone is casual as i turn around but i feel anything but.

"I just got here ." She says with her mouth full. "Your food is great as always." Her compliments don't travel far. I love my mom but i want some alone time with Record. Between her mom, then my mom showing up, i don't mean to sound selfish but i just want her to myself, even if its just for a little bit.

"But i can take the hint," she shimmies her eyebrows "i saw her open that door in your shirt."

Ew."Mom stop." I feel my face heating up just thinking about it.

"And i see that this chicken pasta is untouched."

I run my hand down my face before i grab both of the plates we never got to last night and put them in the trash. I hate wasting food but i don't regret the events that unfolded last night.

Seriously where is Record?

She laughs at me. "I'll leave after. But only if you promise to visit soon, with her of course."

I eagerly nod, liking the sound of that.

I hear Kora coming down the stairs before i see Record. She changed into some baggy jeans and a red hoodie. Is she going somewhere?

"Hey I'm going to walk Kora real quick."

"Hey wait," i plate her food. "Eat before you go i just finished, i don't want it to get cold before you eat it." I don't want her to leave me alone right now.

She looks at the plate as i slide it over the island. She eyes it as she walks over and takes a seat next to my mom with a smile. "Alright, thanks for the food."

"You're welcome."

I watch my mom eye us as Record takes her first bite and i look at her weird. She looks around like she's trying to tell me something with her eyes but i just look at her confused before i slowly turn around and begin cooking my omelette.

"Record what do you think about visiting us in a couple weeks? I know its soon but the kids would love to meet you." My mom says and i roll my eyes as i put bread in the toaster.

She already told my siblings? I honestly shouldn't even be surprised.

"That sounds nice. And I'm interested to see if you all look alike cause you two look so similar." I hear Record say behind me as i flip my omelette.

My mom claps excitedly."Im so glad to hear you say that. He got his father's hair and eyes, he didn't start to look like me until he was older but Arthur still disagrees."

"Arthur?" Record questions.

"My dad." I tell her putting my food on the plate before taking a seat next to her.

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Words- 1165