The Choice

Call Me Laurel

It's Thursday and my mother is finally home. Thank god because I was starting to want to punch Zachary in the face. The only thing getting me through were the text and calls from Claire. We talked about our families, hobbies, dating histories, and our favorite things. I love talking to Claire. It's like when we talk nothing else matters.
    
Right now I am setting the table, so Mom, Zachary, and I can eat dinner together. Zachary was sitting in the living room watching basketball and my mom is bringing the food out. Mom hasn't cooked ever since we found out about Vitoria and Charles, but she is slowly getting her footing back.
    
"Dinner time kids," mom called for us. We all sat down at the table. My mom sat at the head while Zachary sat on her left and I sat on her right. Our diner consisted of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, squash, and yams. "So," my mom said pointing her attention towards Zach, "what have you been up to?" "Umm ... school, homework, studying, and tutoring," he said though a mouth full of mashed potatoes. My mom laughed, "Now you sound just like your sister."
    
"Yeah, well she hasn't been too consumed in school because she went on a date Monday," Zach said without thinking. "Zach!" I hissed. Mom turned her attention towards me now, "A date? Who is the lucky guy honey?" At this I heard Zachary cough slightly. "Hmm ... it wasn't a boy mother," I said setting my silver wear down.
    
"What do you mean it wasn't a boy?" Mother questioned giving me her full attention. "Exactly that mother," I said in a serious tone, "I went on a lunch date Monday with a girl." "That is strange considering you like boys," my mother huffed taking a bite of her meatloaf. "No Mother I don't I like girls, a lot," I stated putting infuses on the word girls.
    
"But you have gone on dates with boys before. Oh what were there names?" my mother said stroking her chin. "Umm ... Henry and Cole I think," Zach interjected. I glared at Zach intently. It was like he wanted me to get into this argument with Mom again for the hundredth time. "Ah, yes Henry and Cole," she said waving her fork. I sighed, "I didn't choose to go on a date with either of them Mother you made me." "Yes, but you enjoyed the dates, Cole's mother even said you let him kiss you," my mom said confused.
    
"I didn't let him kiss me mom, I was frozen in shock," I raising my voice. "Well I would be surprised too if a boy kissed me out of no where," my mom laughed. "I didn't like the kiss mother," I shouted, "I didn't like the date period because all I could think about was how big our waitress' boobs were." "McKenzie Rose Asher," my mother yelled slamming her hand onto the table, "we do not talk like that at the table."
    
"Good," I said standing up, "I'm done anyway." I stormed off up to my room. I grabbed my phone and texted Claire.

Kenzie: I need you

Claire: I can't talk right now I'm at a dinner conference

Kenzie: Oh 😔

Claire: I'm so sorry baby, I will call you as soon as it's over. I promise
    
I don't know how long she will take, but I know I can't wait long. I couldn't go see any of my friends because they were all away at college. Unlike me who is taking a year of online course from Juilliard to stay and help my fucked up family. But I only get a year because the Dean said that they wanted me there so badly that they would wait. Just a year though because he said if I wasn't at Juilliard for my second year the would take away my exceptance and my scholarship.

And I couldn't talk to Charles because I didn't feel comfortable with him anymore. What am I going to do. I just need to get out of this house. And I think I may have an idea. It's a long shot, but at this point I don't care. I grabbed my phone, keys, and jacket and went to my car.

*****

I walked up to a beautiful two story house. It was nice and spacious, but not flashy and obnoxious. I knock on the door and waited for an answer. To my relief Miss Miller came to the door.
    
"What are you doing here McKenzie?" she asked. I looked her in the eyes and said, "I needed someone to talk too, and you are the only person that isn't busy." "Oh," Miss Miller stated. "That is if the offer to talk is still on the table from Saturday," I said sadly. "Yes, of course it is, come in," she said pulling me in.
    
The inside of the house looked very cute and quaint. Perfect for a family. "Here sit down and make yourself at home while I get us some drinks," she said while walking into what looked like the kitchen. I sat down on the couch in the middle seat. She came back with a bottle of wine and two classes. "You do know I'm under age right?" I questioned as she sat down next to me. "Yes," she stated while filling the glasses, "but you look like you need it."
    
I took a glass from her and took a sip. "So what's wrong honey?" she asked also taking a sip. "Besides the fact that my parents are getting a divorce, me have to stay home from college, my brother acting out, and my mother being a homophobe," I laughed taking a big gulp. Miss Miller rubbed my thigh softly trying comfort me. "What happened tonight that made you come here," she asked. "Oh well that's easy," I said pouring myself another glass, "my mother turned our family dinner into an argument about whether I like dicks or pussies."
    
"Mmm," she hummed. "How did that make you feel?" Miss Miller questioned. "Well Miss Miller-" I said before she cut me off. "Call me Laurel honey, we are both adults," she said. "Ok Laurel," I continued, "it made me feel like my mother is trying to change me." Laurel poured herself another glass and asked, "Has she always been like this?" "Yeah," I said pulling my feet up underneath me. "Oh," she whispered.
    
"Well enough about me and my fucked up life. What about you? This house looks very family friendly. Do you have any kids or a husband?" I said while pouring a third glass. "Umm ... I have one kid, a five year old son, his name is Blake, and I am recently divorced," she said. I looked at her sadly, "Oh Laurel I am so sorry." "I'm not," she laughed, "we were no good for each other." "I understand," I said playing with her fingers.
    
"So where is your son?" I asked. "With his father," she said simply. I sighed, "He has joint custody?" "Yeah," Laurel groaned. "That sucks," I said leaning in closer to her. "Yeah, but I think it is what's best for Blake, you know?" she whispered. "I guess so," I whispered back.
    
I set my glass down and leaned closer, "What would you do if I kissed you?" "There's only one way to find out," she said putting her glass down too. I grabbed the side of her face and kissed her slowly. Laurel's lips where soft and sweet. I felt at home with her. Like this is how it is supposed to be.
    
She lied down and pulled me on top of her. Her hands roamed my body until they landed on my ass. Laurel squeezed it hard. I moaned out loudly. My hands rested on her breast. They felt amazing in my hands.
    
We broke apart at the sound of a loud ding. It was my phone. I picked it up and read the lock screen.

Claire: Hey baby I'm on my way home. I'll call you in 20 minutes. 😘

Kenzie: Ok ❤️

"Ugh ... I need to go," I said gathering my things. "I am so sorry," I said not being able to bring myself to look her in the eyes. Laurel got up from the couch and grabbed my shoulders trying to get my attention, "It's ok ... just called me tomorrow please ... so I know that you actually remember this and it wasn't a drunken mistake." "I promise," I whispered while walking to the door.