How to Love You

23

October 14

Surprise visits from your parents are typically exciting, and heart-tugging moments, so why did I get this awful pit in my stomach when my mom paraded through my front door with my dad casually stringing behind? I should've been hugging them, embracing them with emotions, but instead, I blankly stared at them with thoughts of what could go wrong circling my brain.

My mom has a bold voice with absolutely no filter; even when she's being completely ignorant, she feels she's only being opinionated. My dad, like a puppet on strings, just agrees with everything she says, and really only escalates my mom's powerful voice.

This visit was even worse considering it will be the first time my parents have seen you since the accident; I truly don't think they understand the full extent of your memory loss.

As they sat in the kitchen, complaining about the freezing temperature, I held my fingers crossed that you would remain hidden in the bedroom, unaware of our visitors. Except, when I heard the door creak open from the hall, my heart exploded out of my chest as you exited with Matt clinging to your waist. He was whispering teasingly in your ear, causing a fit of high-pitched laughter to spew out of your mouth. It was one thing for my parents to see you again, never mind having to come face to face with the man who surely wasn't me.

I glanced over at my parents, who now had their jaws dropped and a disgusted look plastered on their face. You, oblivious to the evil glares in your direction, continued to flirt with your new man right in front of us.

"This is some sort of joke, right?" My mom spat, angrily approaching you. You stepped back, confused, as Matt held you closer to him; he was protecting you, just like I used to do.

"Excuse me?" Your tiny voice went almost unheard under my mother's. You were obviously frightened by such an angry tone used against you, considering you had no idea you were even doing anything wrong and I'm almost positive you had no recollection of who my mom was.

"You're cheating on my son, how dare you?" My mom shook her head, raising her hands wildly in the air to exaggerate her words. You looked at Matt with a discreet smile on your face at what you believed was an absurd accusation.

Ya, cheating on me? How weird would that be, right, Dani?

"Well, we are just gonna go, okay? You seem a little nuts." You laughed, holding his hand and scooting passed my parents. Our shoulders brushed momentarily, but you didn't even give it a second notice before heading straight for the front door.

"Well you seem like a bitch!" My mom yelled, refusing to not get the last word in this argument. In any other case, I would've fought with my mom over her calling you that, but I just couldn't right now. Don't get me wrong, I still have all the love in the world for you, but after seeing you hold his hand, giggle with him, and be all cute, my heart is just too exhausted to argue with anyone.

"Get over it, lady! I don't love your son like that! I never have and I never will, okay?" You shouted back one last time, before slamming the door and retreating away.

Well, you definitely got the last word, that's for sure. Whoever said words can't hurt me was either lying or an idiot, because what you just said tore my weak heart out, full off love just for you, and had it completely stomped on.