Silence

Chapter 18 - Weird

We stop for fast food first, and then I spot Carter's house as we turn down the street. He pulls in the driveway and we get out, leaving our bags on the seat.

"Are you ready," he asks me while we stand outside.

I shake my head no but say "I have to be though, so let's go."

I walk up to the door and he opens it for me. We walk in and instantly hear the sound of dishes being clicked together and water running.

"Hey mom, I want you to meet someone," Carter calls out.

"I'm in the kitchen," she shouts back.

I follow him into the kitchen where his mom is washing dishes. I stay behind Carter as his mom turns to look at us. Her hands are wet and soapy and she is holding a metal fork. She has a smile on her face and I can instantly tell that she looks like one of those really nice moms.

"Emma this is my mother Nicole Rhodes. Mom this is my girlfriend, Emma Jacobs," he introduces us as he steps out of the way for his mother to see me.

When she looks at me as he says my name, the fork that's in her hand slips and clangs into the sink. I jump a little and then give a shy smile before Carter asks "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. It's nice to meet you Emma," she smiles back.

We only stand there for a few moments before Carter breaks the awkwardness between us three.

"We're going over to Emma's house now. I'll be back later," he gives her a nod and then turns around.

"Y-You can come back here anytime sweetheart," she stutters as an afterthought. He walks me to the door and outside. We get in the truck and leave before he talks to me.

"Something is definitely up," he tells me.

I look out the window and watch the green trees fly by before turning to look at him.

"I know," I whisper. It's a little frightening to know that there might be a secret hiding behind our parents.

"I don't understand how they know each other; we just moved here. It would be fine if they were just old friends or something but they are being so concealed," he vents, and I'm thinking the same thing.

We get to my house and park in front. "I won't talk much here either, but I can do enough to introduce you," I tell him and he kisses my cheek and squeezes my hands before we get out. I take my bag with me to bring inside. He waits for me to open my front door and then follows me inside.

I drop my bag in the hall after sliding my phone in my pocket. We walk into the living room and I see my mother holding a cup of coffee. A magazine is flipped open on the side table, but she isn't looking at it. Her fingers are fidgeting with the handle of the cup.

"Mom," I say to get her attention.

She looks over and plasters a smile on her face before reaching over to set the mug down. Only, she doesn't set it down. She sits back and starts drinking out of the cup like she isn't sure of what to do. She's nervous.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you," she tells Carter after finally deciding to put the coffee down.

"Mom, this is my boyfriend, Carter," I reveal to her, not very loud but loud enough for her to hear me.

"It's nice to meet you too Ms. Jacobs. We both thought that you might like an introduction so here we are," he states.

She nods and looks at both of us like she has something to say. My mother, though, doesn't say anything and continues to stare. I wish she would just spit it out because this has become rather uncomfortable. She finally looks over at Carter, and I see him tense up just a little bit.