Stand by Me

Fourteen

"Honey, this is Gavin. Gavin, Vanessa.", Mom smiles.

A towering man stands beside her, with his almost black hair turning grey. He is definitely in his early forties.

"Hey, Nessa!", Gavin comprehends with open arms.

"Um... It's Vanessa, actually", I take a step back.

Mom looks embarrassed. She mouths the word sorry to Gavin and excuses herself, dragging me by my shoulder to the kitchen.

"What do you think you're doing, young lady?", she rests both her hands on her waist.

"Who the hell is he? And what is he doing in our house?!", I am pissed off at Mom.

How could she do this? I mean I know that they were seeing other people. But, no one can replace Dad. NONE! It was so hard. I always knew that they were seeing people, but I was completely unarmed to take a shot to meet them.

"Vanessa Karen Clark! Mind your tongue!", her eyebrows crease.

"I'm sorry, Mom. But the fact that I have to go through a phase where I replace Dad...is never gonna happen. I'm sorry."

"Sweetie, look! I know this is hard for you. And I would never ask you to replace Dad. Ever. All I'm asking for is some cooperation. It's harder for me to move on. Is that too much to ask?", she is holding my hands in her's.

Maybe, I am overreacting. Putting myself in her shoes, I realize that this is not easy for her.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I guess I overreacted.", I coil her around my arms into a hug.

"It's okay, baby. This is hard for you too.", she returns the hug with equal fervor.

"Okay. But, I can't promise to be nice to him all the time."

She tilts her head a tad , arching both her brows that were highlighted with a one way grin.

"Okay, fine. I'll try.", I roll my eyes.

We walk out of the kitchen to the living room. Gavin is sitting on the couch, going through a magazine. He stands up when he sees us coming and forces a smile.

"Alrighty then. I'll take off now", I announce, "See you, Gavin"

"Have fun", he smiles.

"Oh and Nessie-", Mom says as I leave for the door, "Don't forget that blueberry muffin that Jake loves."

"Of course. Bye, Mom."

~§∆§~

I ring up to Edith as soon as I make it to the restaurant. She picks up in two rings.

"I'm almost there. Also, guess what?"

"What?"

"Max is such a gentleman. He came to pick me up."

"Sweet."

"Oh. Don't worry. Chris is here."

"I don't care, Edith", I roll my eyes and hang up.

As I finally decide on my song , I glance up to see Edith and Max, followed by Chris. He waves and flashes a smile at me. I do the same.

"You look great", Chris compliments me as he walks towards me. I smile as a reply. Edith and Max join us.

"So, when do you start?", she asks.