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It's December. Fall is officially over and people are just as surprised each year when snow falls from the sky.
Being single during the holiday season has never really bothered me—if anything this is when people's worst sides come out when the promise of a magical time stays unfulfilled.
But as I help Calum decorate the Christmas tree in his apartment and as he smears flour onto my cheek while we make cookies I can't help but wondering if this time of the year could have been truly magical for so many years in the way that I feel it is with Calum right now.
My phone rings and I hold up a finger to dismiss myself. "Hey, mom. What's up?"
"Can't I just check in on my daughter and see how she's doing?"
"There's usually a more dramatic flare to it." I leave the door to Calum's bedroom ajar after walking inside.
"I am only dramatic when I need to be."
"Just tell me what's on your mind," I sigh and lean against Calum's dresser.
"You're seeing someone." I bite into my cheek at her blatant statement.
"No I'm not."
"I can not believe my own daughter would keep such a thing from me," she babbles and I roll my eyes. "I know you've been seeing someone. Don't try to deny it, Scotty."
"Did dad tell you?"
"He only confirmed my suspicion. And let me tell you that I am appalled at the fact that you choose to tell your father about this and leave me out like I'm some second class citizen." I let out a breath and ready myself for a long talk. "I noticed that your writing for the December issue is very different, so I figured you must have gone and fallen in love."
"Mom, I can't tell you about things like this because I'm scared that you'll scare any guy I find myself even remotely liking away."
"I most certainly will not scare him away—and if that was the case then maybe he isn't right for you."
"This is what I'm talking about," I groan. "Dad was happy for me when I told him and here you are already forming the worst expectations. Why can't you just be happy for me, mom?"
"I am happy for you," she insists. "I'm coming to the city for a meeting next week. I would like to meet him then."
"You can't," I say quickly. "He will be out of town all of next week."
"What an unfortunate coincidence." I can hear the disbelief in her voice. "Then I fully expect you to bring him with when you come back home for my birthday in two weeks time."
"Mom," I whine stomping my foot into the floor.
"You're bringing him and that's final, Scotty."
"Fine, I'll ask him if he wants to come," I sigh. "But he's a very busy person so don't be surprised if he can't make it."
"Scotty, I swear to—"
"Good talk, bye, mom!" I hang up and lean back with a heavy sigh. I much prefer laid back conversations with my father and being called Skittle.
"So...I'll be out of town next week, huh?" I quickly spin around and face Calum who is standing leaned against the doorframe. "Could you refresh my memory? I seem to have totally spaced out on where I'll be."
"I'm sorry. I guess I'm still not too hot on you meeting my mother."
"You know I'm your boyfriend now, right?" I nod and he walks over to me after pushing his shoulder off the frame. "That kind of entails that I really want to be with you. I'm here for you no matter what your parents think of me."
"She made my prom date cry, Calum."
"I'm pretty sure I'm more thick skinned than an eighteen year old high school boy from Connecticut who probably only went with you in the first place because he wanted a happy ending in the back of the stretch limo which I suspect he rented."
He knows that I know that he's right when I narrow my eyes his way in lack of a better response. What he said is alarmingly accurate.
"I'm a West Coast guy, Scotty. It doesn't get more chill than that; I can handle it."
"Then I guess I'll officially invite you to come with me to my mom's house back in Connecticut for her birthday in two weeks."
"I would love to come."
"I hope you're not very attached to your penis because as long as you have it I'm pretty sure my mom will have it out for you."
"You're being overdramatic," Calum exasperates. "I do not base my affection for you on how well I get along with your mother."
"I'm just trying to warn you."
"I would kill for you to meet my mom, Scotty, even though she never liked any of the girls I dated. I wouldn't dump you because of your mom but getting to know your family is really important to me."
"I'm sorry." I put my hands over my face. "I'm being selfish and self destructive again. But hey, if one of us is to mess this relationship up I think we both know it's me."
"Stop saying that." I can tell that he's starting to get fed up with me. "I want you and you want me, it's that simple."
"You're right," I nod. "You're always right."
...
Drunk Calum is honestly a fat mood (cocktail chats)
