Love Unlikely

Prepping and primping

          Two weeks, two long weeks I had been waiting for this moment. Here I stood over my bed looking into the empty suite case I had yet to fill. I had planned a trip to visit my dad for the longest time. I had just moved to Austin for college and hadn't been back to Tennessee since. 

            My "step mom" as I called her, had been keeping in touch. Carol was definitely my dads dream woman. I had known her for a couple years now, and I absolutely love her. We have a great relationship. I had already started to call her mom. 

            Now my dad hadn't popped the question, but he had thrown around the idea once or twice. So for now she was the standing girlfriend. 

             Carol had a son, Harry,  whom i've yet to meet. He was studying to be a doctor in London, his home city. Carol was American, but her son was british like his father who he's lived with. He had recently returned to Tennessee to stay with my dad and his mom. Harry and I had chatted through text and we've sent pictures here and there attempting to build a good relationship. So far it has worked out great and he had felt like a brother i've had my entire life.

             I had two hours left before I had to make the long drive to Nashville.  All flights were booked, so driving it was. I scurried around the house making last minute adjustments and phone calls. about and hour and a half in I finished and passed out on my loft couch.

               My alarm rang in my ear as I turned over slowly opening my eyes. I had missed the first one and the second is what woke me up. "Shit." I muttered as I jumped off of the couch and ran around placing my stuff into my car. 

                I was downing coffee the entire trip. I tried to stop the least bit possible, so I could get there in time. About halfway into the trip I pulled my phone out and dialed Carol. I blue toothed it to my car so I could focus on driving the interstate.

"Hello honey!" She sang through the other line. I smiled hearing her sleepy voice. It was 11:30 am and I was making good time. I guess I had forgotten that I had been up for so long.

"Did I wake you?" I asked cursing myself for not checking the time before I called. 

"No, no, no. I was drinking another cup of coffee on the deck." She laughed as a light wave of relief washed over me.

"Your brother went to visit some old friends for the night, but he'll be back soon. He has my car, so he better bring his ass back!"I giggled and shook my head.

"Well i'll see ya'll in a few hours. I'm making pretty good timing." I smiled as I looked down at my ETA. I was in Mississippi when I hung up the phone. 

I stopped a couple more times before I neared the Tennessee line. 

"Tennessee welcomes you" 

the sign said in big white cursive letters. I was on my second wind trying to stay awake. I was so close and at this point felt no need to sleep. I wanted to pull over so badly in Alabama at a rest stop, but I was scared of getting robbed.

The afternoon sun rose up high over the mountains. I took in the fall weather around me. Tennessee in fall was the absolute best thing ever!

Its cool and the trees are bright yellow,orange, and red. You are also in the middle of the mountains.

I came closer to my dads street and I smiled as I saw the brick house come into view. My dad lived in a small corner in the woods. It wasn't suburbia, but it wasn't secluded. There were a few houses down the street, but pretty private.

My dads truck was in the drive along with Carols car. Harry must be back already then. My dad was working, so his work truck wasn't in the usual spot.

I turned my car off and hopped out stretching my arms out. Walking up to the front door I saw the knob turn. Out from behind the door stood Carol; she stretched out her arms for a hug. She kissed my cheek and turned back in toward the house.

I looked around not seeing Harry anywhere. I was kinda nervous to see him in person, it was strange. 

"Harry is in the shower right now. He got here just a few minutes before you did." She smiled taking a seat on the couch.

Her brown hair was pulled to the side with blonde highlights peeping through.

I brought my stuff into the house after we had chatted for a second. I placed my stuff in the guest bedroom and heard the shower shut off. 

I smiled to myself as I  hurried back into the living room with Carol. 

My phone buzzed with a text from Blake, a guy I had started talking to the previous week. 

*Hope your drive went well, text me whenever you can! Enjoy your trip gorgeous!!

I smiled sending a quick text back and locked my phone. Blake was definitely the perfect guy for me. I was excited to see where it was going with us.

"There he is!" Carol squealed in excitement. 

I turned my head toward the hall and there stood Harry. Long curly hair, a gray baseball like shirt where the sleeves stopped at his elbows, and jeans. He dressed well and I could smell cologne from far. 

He smiled showing a dimple and walked over giving me a hug. He held on pretty tight and rubbed my back.

"Finally!" I smiled taking him in. I took a seat and he followed suit. 

"Well, lets get you both some food and we will catch up." She disappeared to the kitchen to fix us a quick snack.

Harry was staring at me smiling and he would glance away. "So this is a complete family." Carol shouted from the kitchen. 

"It sure is." Harry grinned patting my knee and rubbing my hand.