Just Love Me

Chapter 8 Part 1: His Parents

Chapter 8 Part 1

"I don't care what they say / I'm in love with you / They try to pull me away / But they don't know the truth" Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love

The car was silent as we cruised down the highway. Rick came back home at around 3am last night. I ended up staying awake worried and sober. He didn't smell like alcohol so I'm guessing he didn't actually go drinking. He probably went on a drive to clear his head or something. I don't know. I tried to be slick when he came back to bed and cuddle up next to him in my 'sleep'. It didn't work, though. Rick turned his back towards me and went to sleep himself. And this morning I tried making light conversation but he'd either not respond or give me one word answers.

Our plan is to go to Rick's family's house today since they celebrate on the actual holiday and go to my family's house tomorrow because we do a cookout on the weekend. But I'm wishing I never agreed in the first place.

This was not how I wanted to see his parents again. My body was dripping with anxiety and I needed Rick's support now more than ever. We left at around 10:00am because Rick's mom wanted us (him) there for their holiday brunch or whatever. So far, we've been on the road for an hour and a half and have about a 15-30 minutes left in driving.

"I'm so nervous," I randomly said. Rick didn't even glance my way but its cool. I needed to say something to help release the nerves.

A few months into dating, Rick took me to meet his parents. I'd never done the 'meet the parents' thing before so I didn't know what to expect. Apparently, Rick hadn't told them much about me physically because when I came to their house for dinner his mother was shocked. His father stood completely still looking back and forth at us and his older brother Matthew simply looked bored. His younger sister Elaine, who was 12 or 13 at the time, was the first person to break the ice. She walked right up to me shook my hand and complimented my shoes.

Basically dinner was horrible. Rick's parent's took turns interrogating me about everything from my parent's schooling to my criminal background. To be fair Rick's father is a judge. But the night was ruthless, nonetheless. Dinner ended with Rick getting in a huge argument with his parents. Ever since then, I've always kept my distance.

Four years later and I'm still shaken up about that night.

Once we got off the highway it didn't take us long to make it to Rick parents mansion. An enormous two story 8 bedroom, 8 bathroom, and 8,500 sq ft- according to a Google search- house in Weston Massachusetts. Looking at the house I felt intimidated all over again. There were cars parked along the circular driveway but we still managed to park not too far from the front door.

"I don't want you to be mad at me when we go in there?" I said looking at Rick. He turned the car off and sighed. "Can you at least pretend?" He didn't say anything but exited the car. I followed him to the truck to get our bags out. I only had one medium sized rolling suitcase that I carried and Rick had a duffle bag. Men can pack light because they don't have to worry about make-up, hair and matching.

As we approached the door I sank back a bit keeping my body behind Rick's. Scared didn't begin to describe how I felt.

We came to the door and Rick turned the handle pushing the door open revealing a grand foyer with shining marble flooring. I heard heels clicking then a gasp and Rick's mother hurried over to him, pulling him into a bear hug. His mom, Elizabeth, was tall, slim and looked every bit of in her fifties. Her face seemed pinched together like she was permanently sucking on a lemon. And her icy green eyes looked haunting. His mother was shorter standing at around 5'7 so Rick had to bend down a little to kiss her cheek.

"Oh Maverick, I've missed you so much," she said in between kisses to his forehead that were leaving behind a lipstick stain.

"Mom," Rick whined. "I missed you too." He pulled away and wiped at his forehead with the back of his hand before his mother handed him a tissue she pulled out of the pocket of her cardigan.