An Accidental I Love You

One

"Hey honey," my mom yells from the living room, "can you come here please?"

"Uh, yeah sure, I'll be right down," I yell back, pausing the TV then heading downstairs, looking for her, "yeah mom?" I ask, finding her in the living room, tapping on a phone.

"I got this new phone and they had me get a new number so I wanted to make sure you get it in case something happens," she says, showing me her contact. I repeat it in my head, engraining it into my memory for later.

"281-550-2200, got it," I say as I hand her phone back to her, "I have to head to work so I'll text you when I get there, okay?"

"Sure thing, I'll just be here alone... waiting for your return," she giggles, making me smile.

"I told you, you could've gone off with dad to Germany. I would've been fine but no, you insisted you stay," I say raising a brow and she shrugs.

"Actually he said I'd be a good idea if I stayed. We didn't want you to be lonely," she says looking back to her phone.

"well, who's the one complaining about being lonely?" I chuckle and she just scoffs, shaking her head.

"Instead of teasing me you should head to your job, there are better people to tease there," she sighs in defeat and I nod, laughing before heading back up to my room to get dressed. I quickly grab my phone and start to edit her contact, deleting the previous number.

"281-500-2300" I mumble to myself as I type it in. I begin getting dressed, putting on my Subway shirt, visor, then walking right back out my bedroom door. "Okay mom, I'm leaving," I say, giving her a quick kiss on the head as she sits on the couch, "see you in a few."

"Alright sweetie, don't forget to text me! The keys are on the island," She says as I grab the keys along with my purse, walking out the door.

"Sure thing!" I shout before closing the front door, heading to the car.

・・・

As the entry bell rings my co-worker Jamie jolts her head in my direction and smiles at me, waving, "Hey Elle!"

"Hey Jamie, you working with me?" I ask, heading to the back with her to put on my apron.

"No sadly," She says, wiping the counter, "I actually have a date with Ryan in a little bit," she smiles, blushing.

"How dare you leave me here for Ryan, how could I ever forgive you," I sigh, dramatically draping my hand over my forehead and making us both laugh.

"Of course not Elle, you will forever be my number 1 babe," She winks, smirking. The shift buzzer goes off and her eyes light up, "Well I guess that's my cue! Bye Elle," She says giving me a quick hug before grabbing her bag and walking out.

Oh right I need to text my mom, I remember, grabbing my phone from my pocket and sending her a quick text.

Me: Sorry I'm not there, I love you!

I wait for a minute or so for her to answer but she doesn't reply, catching me by surprise. Maybe she's busy, I think to myself, putting my phone back in my pocket as a family walks in.

"Hello and welcome to Subway, what would you like today?"

・・・

"Mom, I'm home!" I say opening the door to see her still on the couch, this time reading a book.

She sets her book down, smiling gently, "Hey sweetie, how was work? You didn't message me."

"It was a pretty slow day so they sent me back early," I reply, "and I texted you once I got there, is your phone loading slowly?" I ask, taking out my phone.