Keepsake

Chapter 17

Alysia Evers

I stood in front of my large mirror in my underwear staring at my own figure for the millionth time in my life. The figure of my body was kind of petite and I wasn't very curvy. My chest was what I'd consider medium-large, but I wished they were bigger. I wished one or two things were different, but I wasn't going to write them off on a list.

I slipped in another pair of clothing and checked how it looked on me in the mirror. Again, I undressed and tried on another set. Black and white looked good on me. I could make it work without trying hard.

Out the window, it was still lighted, but getting darker fast. In the living room, my parents were watching a movie. A classic romance movie. I couldn't understand how they could watch a movie that was more than twenty years old. I always liked the new stuff.

My cell rings. "Hello."

"Alysia, it's Marcus. I just spoke with Linda and Mike and they say they want to come along with us. Are you okay with that?" He sounded like he was happy to bring them along.

I stare at the mirror and nervously brush hair out of my face. "Sure, they can come," I say.

"Okay, I'll be there soon."

Mike and Linda coming with us? What did that mean?

"Another night out?" my father asked after overhearing the conversation.

I put the cell in my purse. "Yeah, we're going out to eat."

My dad smiles and then looks at mom. "Fascinating." His eyes give her a special look.

Oh, boy. Did that mean that while I was out, they were going to take advantage of having the whole house to themselves? Yuck.

"Hey, don't make that face," mom commented staring at me. "Let me talk with you outside."

"Mom?" I complained.

"Listen to your mother," dad jumped in while excusing himself to the kitchen. Was he actually going to try and cook? Maybe he was just getting popcorn to go with the movie.

My mother and I go outside and stand on the porch.

"How are things with you and Marcus?" she started.

"It's great."

She bites her lip thinking of how to put it into words. "I ask because Lawrence spoke with Michael in person. Michael is upset that we're allowing you and Marcus to date and that can actually be dangerous. I'm telling you this because if Marcus takes you over to his parents house, be careful. Marcus and Michael have been having arguments."

I had already known that Marcus was being with me even though his parents were against it. But when faced with it, honestly I'd never asked how Michael and Julia felt about us. Maybe it was because I hardly ever got to see them. Each time Marcus and I hung out, we were either going out or spending time together here at my house. So far we never sat with his parents and talked to them.

"I'll be fine, mom. Thank you," I assured her.

Marcus pulls up and gets out of his car. He's wearing dark khakis and has his ash and white colored shirt tucked in. "Alysia," he calls and comes right next to me. His hand is around my waist and he places a soft kiss on my lips.

Then he turns to Pamela. "Hello, Pamela."

She holds her arms out. "You can give me a hug, you know?" Marcus goes into her arms and hugs her.

"I wasn't sure. I didn't want to upset Lawrence," he jokes. "You know how he is."

We laugh.

Lawrence comes outside and there's a slight scent of food coming from inside. "Who said my name?"