Take Me Home {Completed}

Chapter Thirty-Two

Unedited

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Chapter Thirty-Two:

"You look gorgeous, Nola," Suzanna said, looking at her niece with a smile in admiration. She was happy that Nola allowed her to purchase clothes for tonight. Suzanna knew that if Parker was as good as a man she sensed he was, Nola was in good hands.

However, that thought also came with the fear that Suzanna was making the wrong choice. The kind of wrong choice she made when she first met Mitch. 

When she first met him, Suzanna had a bad vibe about Mitch. Yet, she saw that he made Nola happy. So, Suzanna didn't tell Nola anything.

Suzanna knew a good portion of her guilt was because she remained voiceless and actionless about the feeling she got from Mitch. She believed, now, that she should've said something. 

If she did, Suzanna wondered if things would've been different.

Nola glanced at herself in the full-length mirror, which she had leaning against one of her walls. She had to admit that her aunt had style and did pick a perfect outfit.

"The color of your shirt - what would you call it? Maroon?" Suzanna asked.

Nola nodded in response.

"Well, the color suits you ... Would you like me to braid your hair?"

Nola considered the idea for a moment. "Sure."

Suzanna gestured for Nola to take a seat on her bed. Once Nola sat down, Suzanna went over to Nola's chester drawers and picked up the hairbrush, which was laying on top of the drawers. Suzanna went over to her niece and began to brush her hair.

"I think the black sheer cardigan, we got at Forever 21, will look great with your outfit," Suzanna stated as she tried to strike a conversation with Nola.

Her aunt knew, at the mall, that Nola wanted the cardigan because the maroon shirt they picked out was short-sleeved and Nola wasn't comfortable with showing so much skin. However, Suzanna didn't want Nola wearing some kind of heavy jacket because it wasn't cold enough.

So, you can imagine Suzanna's excitement when she found the rack of sheer cardigans, which were light and airy.

Nola had several colors and patterns to pick from. In the end, she chose the plain black cardigan. Nola figured it would go best with the simple maroon shirt and, also, the faded wash skinny jeans her aunt said Nola "had to have".

"Thank you," Nola told her aunt for the millionth time.

"Like I said, it's fine." Suzanna commented, "Where are your ponytails?"

Nola stood up and went over to her nightstand. She picked a few ponytail holders from a small jar she had by her lamp. "Here you go," Nola handed her aunt the ponytails and sat back down.

Suzanna began braiding Nola's hair. "I talked to your mother today. She said: she and your father will be home about three a.m.," Suzanna continued braiding as she talked. "Also discussed with your mom about how I'll stay here for a while. At least while they are in town and once they're back in Peru, I'll stay for a few more days. However, next week - whether I'm still here or not - I'll be starting back at work."

"That's a forty-five-minute drive," Nola exclaimed.

"I know. It's fine. Millions of people commute to work every day. Some have longer distances than I'll have ... Anyways, while you were at school today, I went over to my house and packed some things for my stay. When I get done, you should rummage through my jewelry. I know I've some gold necklaces, earrings and other pieces that'll go great with your outfit."

"Yeah ... Okay," Nola muttered.

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"You know that staring at the door won't make him show up, Dear."

Nola looked away from the door and at her aunt who was lounging on the couch. A sigh escaped her lips, "He ... He's late."

"I tried calling him and he didn't answer."

"You have his-s number?"

Suzanna nodded, "I asked Parker to give me his number this morning. I did that in case you two stayed out too late, you don't answer your phone, and I needed to call you in."

"Oh..." Nola glanced back at the door. "He's an-n hour late," She mumbled.

Suzanna sat up straight when she heard the sound of what she could only describe as a car door closing.

Nola jumped at the sudden sound.

"See, that's him!" Suzanna leaped off the couch and raced over to the front door. Suzanna unlocked the door and looked over her shoulder at Nola. "Would you like to open it?"

Nola shook her head and remained in place.

Suzanna opened the door and was taken back by how there wasn't anyone there - or parked in the driveway. Suzanna raised an eyebrow and stepped out.

"Has Kate made it back yet?!" A voice asked.

Suzanna looked to the left to see that her sister's neighbor, Una Boe, was standing beside her car holding a hand full of grocery bags. It was then that Suzanna realized that she'd mistaken the sound for Una closing her trunk.

A slight frustration coursed through Suzanna. She didn't know if it was because it wasn't Parker or because she'd told Una that her sister wouldn't be back till three in the morning, this afternoon. "No, she'll be back in the wee hours of the morning."

Una smiled, "Well, I hope she has safe travels. Have a goodnight."

Suzanna nodded, "You too!" Turning around, Suzanna went back into the house and closed the door. She faced her niece and gave a smile she knew was coming across as pity towards Nola. Suzanna looked away, "How about I call him and we can go for the 'Mean Aunt' plan?"

Suzanna walked over to Nola, "Come on," She nodded her head in the direction of the living room.

It took a minute for the idea to settle with Nola, but when it did she felt as if someone had stabbed her in the heart. "O-Okay." Nola took a step towards the living room. 

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A/N:

Here are the answers to the last two questions:

1. Parker's a friend, Caesar, is engaged to a girl he has known for how long?

C. 6 months

2. On what day is Nola's first appointment with Jackie Weston?

A. Monday