Not ME

Mother-Daughter Bonding

After her shower, Marissa went down stairs and curled up on the couch. She turned on a Disney movie and relaxed thinking about life until she fell asleep. A few hours later, she woke up and football was on.

Marissa rolled her eyes, "Really, Gavin? I was watching Mulan."

Gavin swallowed a mouthful of chips and said "You were alseep but fine. We can turn on Disney again" He sighed and changed the channel reluctantly. Why was he being so nice? Liam, of course, was reading a book for school. Soon after they changed the channel, their mom walked in tired and dirty like usual.

"Hi mom" They all said in unison.

Their mom stopped in her tracks, "Are my children all in the same room together and they aren't killing each other?" She asked surprised.

Marissa giggled, "We are mom." and Liam added, "Believe it or not we don't actually hate each other."

Gavin  snorted, "well.... sometimes you both get on my nerves... especially today with the whipped cream... but I would miss you guys.... also don't tell anyone I said that."

Their mom smiled, "Alright you three. I want to take you all out for dinner and M and I need to shop for medicine then. I will be right back down. I need to shower and change." She went upstairs and Marissa got up and did a full body stretch exposing her little bump. It was barely noticeable but people close to her could notice. That is exactly what Gavin did.

Gavin sighed slightly she shifted his weight. He looked away.

Marissa noticed. "Damn it Gavin. Today was going so well. Now you are being an asshole."

"The only asshole here is the guy who did that to you." Gavin fired back

Marissa took a deep breath and was about to yell but she placed her hands on her belly and stopped. She moved some hair out of her face and went to put her shoes on. Gavin rolled his eyes feeling guilty but let it go. He turn on football again. Liam went back to his book. A silence fell upon the house for approximately 4 and a half minutes.

Their mother came down the stairs. "Okay, who is ready for some dinnnneeerrr" She sang out. A frown came to her face seeing the kids spread out now. "oh well... it was great while it lasted."

Marissa ignored her mother and was admiring her belly in the mirror. She admired it from the side. It wasn't any bigger than her fit and she began to think of what the future may hold for that little, innocent human being growing inside of her.

"Are you ready to go?" Her mom asked. Marissa still did not answer. Her mom came up to her and rubbed her shoulders. "We should go get some things, honey." Her mom said as they shared a look in the mirror. A genuine smile plastered itself on the mother-daughter duo.

Marissa agreed, "Yeah..." she put down her shirt and grabbed her purse. They went out to the car and began to drive.

Her mom began to speak. "Honey, now that we are alone, I want you to know that I love you. I want to support you in any way I can. And I know what you are going through." Her mom smiled and took her hand.

Marissa began to tear up."Thank you, mom." It felt so nice to feel truly accepted. She knew Harper and Amber accepted her and that her brothers were on board for the most part but the fact that her mom can share the feeling with her felt special. It is one thing to accept someone's situation and it is another to understand what it feels like.

They arrived at the CVS store. "Okay now the doctor says I should take these" Marissa said pointing to her list. Her mom began to chuckle.

"I took these kind when I was pregnant with your brothers and..."

Marissa interrupted "Okay then that is a hard pass" She said half jokingly but also half true.

Her mom laughed 'I was going to say that they made me sick"

Marissa interrupted again "Yeah they make me sick too"

Her mom laughed and pushed her a little in a playful way "I mean the pills not your brothers." She said as the strolled down the aisle with the prenatal vitamins in it.  Marissa followed her mom. The bell rang as the door opened and in walked THE Chase Jensen and his NEW girlfriend, Becca Hadley.

Marissa's eyes widen and she yelps some. Her face turns red and she ducks behind the shelves. Her mother looks around and sees Chase and follows Marissa. 

"I'm so sorry honey" her mom sighed as she got down with Marissa.

Marissa sighed. "It isn't so much a problem as it is awkward."After a silence, "I loved him, mom. This is OUR kid... and he doesn't even want to help. I really need him"

"No you don't sweetheart. You don't need him. You are an independent woman and you need to learn to grow up." Her mom said with love and truth. Her mom was right. Marissa needed to get her shit together. She took a deep breath and stood up to continue shopping. Her mom followed. She glanced at Chase and his "girl. a few times but they didn't notice they. In fact, no one really cared.

Marissa was happily surprised and shook it off. "O...okay. I think these will work." She picked up a different bottle of medicine and then wandered over to the candy isle. All of the chocolate looked so good. After about five minutes she began to cry with Kit-Kats in one hand and Resse's in the other hand. Her mom finally found her and hurried over noticing Marissa's state.

"Honey, what's wrong?"

Through a few sniffles, "I want chocolate but I can't decide."

Her mom couldn't help but laugh and hug her, "Just get both"

Marissa agreed and they headed to the checkout. It had been a great day with her mom even though it had only been to a CVS. The only thing left to do was go back to school on Monday.