Waiting For Superman

A Wrong New Beginning

Kara packed the last of her things into a box and looked around her room expectantly. It was weird for her to have to move out of her place. After all, the house was under her name. Yet, she was moving out to live with Glenn.

“That’s it?” Johnny asked gruffly from the door. Kara nodded and he walked forward to help her carry the boxes out to the gate. “Thanks,” Kara said awkwardly as she walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water.

Just then, Glenn appeared behind her and said, “Hey love. You ready to leave?” Kara pecked him on the cheek and nodded saying, “Johnny already helped to carry my boxes out.” “I saw,” Glen said, glancing over his shoulder.

He looped his arm around Kara’s waist and walked to the gate. “Thanks for helping Kara pack and carry the boxes around,” Glenn said awkwardly as he grabbed the trolley he brought to move the boxes.

Johnny grunted and continued to stare at the TV, ignoring the two of them. As Glenn loaded up the rest of the boxes onto the trolley and pushed them over to lift, Kara stood by the door, looking over at Johnny.

“The lift’s here,” Glenn called out, startling Kara who was deep in thought. “I’m coming!” she called back. As she took one last look at Johnny, she said quietly, “Bye Johnny, love you.”

She saw Johnny look over at her from the corner of her eyes but continued walking. She hurried into the lift and squished herself in with Glenn and the boxes. They both rode down in silence, glancing down at the floor.

Together they loaded the boxes into the car and climbed into their respective seats. As Glenn pulled out of the car park, Kara said, “Thanks for letting me stay at your place.” Glenn shrugged and said, “It’s fine. Besides, we get to spend more time.”

“As if we don’t see each other enough in the office,” Kara said sarcastically with a chuckle. Glenn rolled his eyes and turned up the radio, knowing Kara liked to sing along.

Soon, they pulled up at Glenn’s house and were surprised to see Glenn’s mother standing at the gate waiting for them. “Hey mum,” Glenn said, rushing out of the car to give her a hug.”

“So this must be Kara,” she said, eyeing Kara. “Hi Aunty Alice, nice to meet you,” Kara said anxiously, shaking her hand. Glenn started unloading the boxes and Kara immediately rushed over to help him.

“Come on, I’ll help you with them. Some are a little heavy,” she said as she helped him carry the box he was trying to get out of the car. “Don’t underestimate my son,” Alice chided Kara as she pulled her back. “He’s very strong you know.”

Kara blushed and looked down at the floor, fiddling with her thumbs. “It’s alright Mum,” Glenn said with a sigh as he placed his arms around Kara. “She’s just trying to help.”

Alice clucked her tongue and walked back into the house, followed closely by Kara and Glenn laden with boxes. Alice wandered into the kitchen as Glenn and Kara slowly moved the boxes up the stairs to the second floor.

“So here’s your room,” Glenn said as he pushed open the door to a room at the end of the corridor. “It’s a little small but you should be fine.”

“It’s perfect!” Kara gushed, immediately rushing over to the small bay window. “This is like the perfect spot to read!” Glenn chuckled and said, “I’ll let you start unpacking first. I’ll go help Mum with the cooking and we can continue after dinner alright?”

Kara nodded and stared out at window at the street below. Glenn had to be pretty rich in order to afford such a lovely house, she concluded as she started unpacking her toiletries and placing them in her toilet. Never had she had a whole toilet to herself without having to share it with someone.

She was starting to unpack her clothes when Glenn yelled from downstairs, “Kara, dinner’s ready!” “Coming,” she yelled back, dumping the rest of her clothes before walking out of the room.

Just as she reached the stairs, she heard hushed whispers coming from downstairs and slowed down. “Why couldn’t you pick someone with fewer problems?” she heard Alice ask Glenn.

“Mum, it was just a bad past. We’ve all been there,” Glenn said with a sigh. “Look at her! She’s so skinny she’s bound to have eating disorders. And you mentioned she’s been abused by her past boyfriends? This girl spells trouble my dear son,” Alice said with a huff.

Kara leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, her heart sinking. She could hear footsteps coming up the steps and immediately wiped away her tears in time to see Glenn appearing in front of her.

Immediately sensing something was wrong, he wrapped his arms around her and said, “Kara, what’s wrong?” “Nothing,” Kara whispered, giving him a small smile. “Just some dust in my eyes from the boxes.”

 “Glenn, where are you guys?” Alice shouted from downstairs. “We’ll be down in a while Mum. Kara wants to finish unpacking her clothes before she eats. Why don’t you eat first?” Glenn shouted back.

Glenn turned back to Kara and said gently, “You heard what Mum said, didn’t you?” Kara nodded slowly and sunk down on the bed. “Mum’s just a little judgmental,” Glenn said as he sat down next to her.

Kara stayed silent, looking down at the floor. “You’ll get used to her,” Glenn said consolingly. “I’ve been used to it for years,” Kara murmured, looking up at Glenn. “My parents, friends and exes.”

Glenn teared at what she said and pulled her closer to him. “I don’t know if I can live with it again,” Kara whispered, leaning on Glenn’s chest.

“It’s okay, I’ll talk to Mum about it alright?” Glenn said softly, mussing her hair. Kara smiled up at him gratefully and said, “Thanks a lot Glenn.” Glenn returned her smile and said, “No problem dear. That’s what couples do for each other. Come on, let’s go get dinner. Despite her other flaws, my mum is a pretty good cook.”

Kara laughed and said, “I can’t wait to dig in. Johnny barely has any food at home and I’m starved.” Glenn chuckled and lead her down the stairs, praying deep down that everything would turn out right.