The Whisper Seekers

Interrogation

We decide to stop by Liam's house before heading to mine since I'm not ready to face my mom yet. But when I spot a silver Porsche parked in his driveway, panic sets in. I'm not ready to face his mom either.

Liam glances at me after parking and says, "There's someone I want you to officially meet."
I stare into his soft, ocean-blue eyes and know I can't say no.

I follow him as he pushes open the front door. There are fewer boxes around now, and when we turn into the living room, I'm surprised to find the space completely put together. The coffee table is finally free of bubble wrap, and a leather recliner now sits next to the couch. A large entertainment center fills one wall, anchored by an oversized TV in the middle.

What really shocks me are the photos. Framed pictures clutter the shelves with a younger Liam smiling out at me. The blue eyes are unmistakable—it's him in every one of them.

He told me he was staying through the end of the school year. This is the clearest proof I've seen that he meant it.

While admiring the photos, I hear a smacking sound behind me, followed by a loud sucking noise. I turn and spot his mom standing in the kitchen, obnoxiously eating grapes out of a paper bowl. Her blonde hair is swept up into a ponytail, and her shirt is so low-cut it's hardly age-appropriate.

"Mom, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Ellie. Ellie, this is my mom, Lisa," Liam says hesitantly. She looks me up and down and I don't want to read her mind in front of Liam.

"Hi, Mrs. Greysor, it is nice to finally meet you," I say politely. She plunks her grape back into the bowl and wipes her hands on her shirt- real classy.

"What happened to your face?" She snaps and I immediately put a hand up over my nose.

"We had a powder puff game at school that got a little intense." I glance at Liam, but she's still standing there, eyeing me as she places a hand on her bony hip.

"Looks like it, so what's your story? You were over here before, weren't you?" She asks as she walks over and pulls out a chair from the kitchen table. Liam gives me a small nod, silently urging me to follow, so I do. I sit down in the hard wooden chair across from her, trying to keep my expression neutral.

Does she know about me?

I glance at Liam, and he gives another subtle nod. My stomach tightens.

I'm kind of irritated. That wasn't his secret to tell.

"Yes, I was here for school stuff. Hope that's okay?" I ask as I fidget with my hangnail under the table nervously.

"You always just run around in boys' clothing? For school stuff?" She asks condescendingly. 

I try not to look at Liam before saying, "I had been swimming that day. I borrowed a friend's shirt to walk home in." My mother would have Liam sat comfortably in the living room, offering him a beverage and using a warm tone to ask light questions. His mother clearly does not care about comfort. 

"I'd like to know what your interest in my son is?" She snaps and she folds her arms on the table. I wasn't expecting to be interrogated so bluntly. Isn't this supposed to be the conversation fathers have with boyfriends? What could I have done to make her suspicious of me?

"Mom..." Liam sighs, but I decide to answer.

"My interest? Well, uh, I really like him. He's a genuine person, he has a great heart and it's hard to find people that really understand me and my... abilities. I'm happy he reached out to me," I say, hardly able to make eye contact with her as I do. I want to remind her that Liam found me. Pursued me. He came in and wrecked my life.