Your Time

Chapter 29

{January 2028}

Carrie waited for Adam and Rachel to come home. They went to dinner and a movie together, their first time since Adam got his drivers license.

He was a very responsible driver. And that was mostly because she could track his speed and everywhere he went from the car to her phone. And there was no way he could turn it off. Along with getting his license, Adam got a job. He was now paying for gas and paying Harrison and Carrie back for the car insurance.

Walking through the house, Carrie saw him pull in the driveway rather fast. He skidded the tires on the concrete. "Adam Douglas," she muttered under her breath as his car came to a screeching halt in front of the garage.

He got out and slammed the door. Annoyed at seeing him acting like this, Carrie went to greet him as he came in the house. But as he came in, she rethought her method.

"Adam?"

It looked like he was crying. He ignored her and pushed by her. But Carrie wasn't going to let her son go. She grabbed his wrist as he passed by and spun him to face her.

"Adam? Are you okay?"

He looked up at her for the first time since he'd stormed into the house. Her heart broke, seeing his eyes bloodshot from crying and the tears tumbling down his cheeks.

"Adam what happened?"

Not answering, he hugged her and continued crying into her shoulder. For the next few moments, Carrie didn't bother him, but simply let him cry whatever was hurting him out.

By now Harrison made his way into the kitchen after hearing the commotion. He was about to ask something, but she held up a hand to silence him. "Adam what's wrong?"

He stopped sobbing long enough to get a few words out. "Rachel cheated on me," he told her, the words barely audible after the coming sobs.

"Adam," she whispered into his ear. "It's going to be okay."

"Mom it's not." He took a step back leaving her hands to rest on the tops of his shoulders. "I loved her."

"I know Adam."

Carrie couldn't stand to see him like this. He and Rachel dated for over a year and during their relationship, the two of them became the best of friends, just as she had when she fell in love with Harrison.

"I just... I guess I can't believe she threw away everything we had, just like that."

She led him to the couch while Harrison kept his distance, letting his wife comfort their son for the time being.

He leaned his head on her shoulder and continued to cry. "Adam, she's an asshole."

Hearing that was enough to make him smile just a bit. "A big asshole."

At a time like this, Carrie didn't scold him for swearing. It looked as if it was brightening his mood. Seeing Adam laugh, Harrison made his way over and sat next to him.

"Dad, Rachel cheated on me."

"I heard. And I'm going to tell you what your mom already told you, it's going to be okay."

"How is it going to be okay?"

"Because you're going to get over her," Carrie answered. "She made this decision. She hurt herself by cheating on you. And it will come back to haunt her. There will be a time when she gets in a fight with whoever she's now with, and thinks back to you. But you're not going to be there for her. Then she'll wish she didn't do what she did."

"I know it's painful. Believe me, I really do."

Adam stopped her. "How do you know?"

"Because before I was with your dad, I was with a guy named Corey. You know how dad had the talk with you? Well he wanted it with me, and I wasn't going to let him. So after I didn't give him what he wanted, he cheated on me for someone that would."

"And that's one of the best decisions you ever made by dumping him because you found me," Harrison cut in.

"Exactly. What I'm about to tell you might hurt a little but it's the truth. Rachel didn't love you as much as you loved her. And I know it hurts to hear it, but she wasn't the one for you. Your dad and I have been married for 17 years now. I didn't find him right away. Although I wish I did, there were boyfriends before him. After each breakup, I wasn't sure I'd find the one. But I'm glad I kept trying because I found your father and he's one of the best things that ever happened to me."

She took a breath, catching up from all the talking. "But the point is, you can't hold this against yourself. You're a good guy and you're going to find that special someone. Your dad and I both know it and you need to believe it. You can't let the girls like Rachel that take you for granted get into your head. Because you deserve better than that. Okay?"

Adam nodded. "Okay." By now, the tears had stopped and his splotchy face was beginning to clear up.

"Adam?"

"Yeah dad?"

"You're going to find someone like I found your mother. She literally walked right into my life. Maybe that's what it's going to take for you."

For the first time today, Adam smiled. "Can I rant?"

They both nodded and he went on a ten minute rant about Rachel. How she was a major asshole and a bitch, and what happened when she forgot about their date at the movies and walked in with her new lover glued to her arm. He ended it right there, and so did the other guy so she was left at the movies without either of them and without a ride home.

"You just left her there?" Harrison asked.

Adam turned to him with a smile. "Was I not supposed to do that?"

Harrison laughed. "Well in that case, it's perfectly fine."