Between the Raindrops

6) A Change of Mind

Markyse wore a toothy grin as Eryn and her boyfriend entered his apartment. Stella was busy cooking dinner, trying her best to entertain the duo as they made their way in town. Not wanting to deal with flight expenses, they caught the train.

It was half past six and the couple couldn't wait to eat. Stella was cooking her famous Salmon, brown rice, and Brussel sprouts. In an attempt to be healthier, she picked up a cookbook at the store, hoping to please her man with her culinary skills.

Markyse embraced the short woman in a hug, happy to see that she was here. Although it was last minute, he was glad to know they were in town. He still held a feeling of uncertainty about Drew, but he figured it was only his nerves. He didn't trust many men besides his own father.

"Glad you guys are here," Markyse spoke up, slicing the small tension that was in the room. Eryn was busy picking out the pieces that she liked, while Drew nosily glared at the pictures of him in his younger days. Many were of him and a younger Tyla when he first came to live with her.

"This your mama, boy?" Drew questioned, raising up the picture of him and Tyla. She was clad in an all white dress, carrying the small toddler who was asleep on her chest.

"Yeah," he nodded. "Can't you see the resemblance?"

"Barely," he shook his head. "Somebody been lyin' to you."

"That's my mother, no further questions."

"You'll have to forgive Drew," Eryn apologized. "He thinks he's Maury, poor thing watches it everyday."

"He clearly likes inspector gadget too," he mumbled, fixing the pictures back so that they were how he had them before.

"This is such a beautiful home, Markyse. I would love coming home to this everyday."

"You see Stella never goes home," he jokes, sending a wink over at her as she continued to cook.

"I don't blame her," Eryn smiled.

After the couple got comfortable in their designated room, the four of them gathered around his dinner table and prepared to eat the meal before them. The aroma of the food left every mouth watering. It had been a couple of days since Markyse had a home cooked meal, so he was excited to feel like him was nourishing his body.

"How's school?" Eryn questioned, passing the bowl of Brussel Sprouts around the table. There wasn't any tension, but it had gotten awfully quiet.

"School is good," Markyse admitted. "The curriculum has definitely stepped up, but nonetheless, I am happy."

"And you, Stella?" Eryn raised her eyebrow.

"All is well, mama." She confirmed, wearing a proud smile. It was the truth, Stella was doing well. She took her studies seriously. She wouldn't have it any other way.

Nothing but small talk uttered from their lips for the rest of dinner. Drew was extremely nosy and always seemed to protest opinions that Markyse had. His views of things going on in the world definitely put him in a Republican Party. Not wanting to start any unnecessary issues, Markyse agreed quickly, hoping to direct the conversation in not only a new, but better direction.

His thoughts on Drew had not failed him. He was quite skeptical about the mystery man. He didn't feel comfortable with him sleeping in his home, but, he wanted to respect his girlfriend's mother's wishes and allow them to stay free instead of getting a hotel room. Stella's home was only suitable for one, since she was renting a studio apartment. Even though it was New York, it was quite spacious for her lonesome, but not for company over a duration of many days.