Hard To Love (Professor / Student)

Abby

With her around, I'm happier. I laugh more and smile when she's around. I even find myself smiling when just thinking about her. What are my parents going to think? They can't find out she's my student, they would ruin her. Lost in my own world, I don't hear Ness walk over to me as she wraps her arms around my waist.

"Stop worrying, you'll get wrinkles"

"I'm not worrying." I counter and she shakes her head

"Yes you are. Your knuckles are white." She points out and I release the death grip on the counter and smile.

"Do you really want to meet my parents?"
"Yeah, you've met mine. Is that ok?"
"Well yeah. I just don't want you to get hurt."

She always gets what she wants. The two of us are on our way to my parent's house. The 45 minute drive seems so short as we pull into the long paved driveway. I park the car in front of my childhood home. Home is a nice word. I don't know if this place was ever exactly home. It was more of just a place where we lived. I look over at Ness who is focused on the mansion in front of her eyes.

"Ness...we don't have to go in." I warn and she shakes her head and looks over at me

"I want to do this. We have to do this."
"Okay. But before we go in, there's a few things you need to know."
"Don't tell me you have a wife and two kids waiting for you inside." She says
"Actually it's three kids" I say and can't help but smile when I see the look on her face.
"Mark! That's not funny! I'm freaking out right now."
"Okay I'm sorry. But seriously, when we walk in there you're going to meet my parents. My mom, well let's just say she is the perfect example of a Debutant with a stick up her ass. And my father, well, my father will comment on how young you are. He will say some snide remark. He belittles women."
"Okay. Let's just get this over with." She mutters and I step out of my car and walk around to get her door. "Do I look okay? This is the only dress I brought to school with me." She goes on as she smooths down the invisible wrinkles on her

"You look beautiful. And if at any point you feel uncomfortable we will leave. Okay?" I ask with both hands on her cheeks as her blue and green eyes look up at me.

"Okay." With that I peck her on the lips and we walk inside. We are greeted by Doris.

"Marky, how are you? I haven't seen you in a few months now."
"Hi Doris. I know, I'm sorry. Work has kept me pretty busy." I say smiling while looking down at Ness.

"And who do we have here?" She asks and I smile.

"Doris, this is my girlfriend Ness. Ness, this is Doris. She cooks for the family, but she's like a mother to me."

"It's nice to meet you." Ness says smiling as Doris pulls her into a hug. Just as Ness steps back from the hug my father walks into the room, bumping into her.

"Ah, Mark. You're here. And it looks like your girlfriend is already falling for me" He says amused with his thought. Ness turns around and looks up at my father.

"Hi, I'm Ness. " She holds out her hand to shake his but he ignores her.

"Doris is lunch ready yet?"
"Very soon Mr. O'Shea"
"Very good. Where is that lady of mine?"
"She has not yet returned home from Tennis, sir." Doris says and my father nods.

"Oh yes 'tennis'. What she's really doing is getting drunk with her Debutants."
"Dad." I warn and he flashes me that award winning smile.

"Son, tell me about your girlfriend here."
"I'd rather not."
"But why? She is very beautiful. Where did you find her? On the corner or at a local high school?"
"Excuse me, I am right here." Ness chimes in and I smile. That's my girl.