The Flower Child

Meeting The Parents

I yawned looking at my alarm. 6:30pm. I shot up, seeing that Adam was sleeping peacefully. I smiled, running into the bathroom. Wetting my hair, and putting it up. I rushed, jumping up and down putting my uniform on. “Hey are you running late?” I nodded, “Almost, I have to be there in ten minutes.” I put my shoes on quickly. Adam put his clothes on fast and drove me to work. I made it on time by two minutes. “I am going to find a job while you are at work. Text me when you are done.” I nodded heading inside. I started working, I had to sit a desk sometimes, but I got to the point I worked up front. My manager said it was ok for me to do that. I huffed, I saw a girl next to me, having a hard time with the coffee. I walked to her, “Here let me show you. This is how you do it.” She stared as I made the cup. She began to get the hang of it, “Thank you, ma’am.” I nodded, “My name is Starlet.” I held my hand out, “My name is Claire.” “That is a cool name.” She smiled as we continued working. Around two I ended shift, saying goodbye to my new co-worker. I saw Adam standing in front his truck with a huge grin on his face. I went up to him, wrapping my arms around his neck, “So how was job hunting?” He kissed me, “It went good. I got a job at the restaurant across the street. I am a chef. Culinary school is going to pay off. Haha” I kissed him, “Great. Shall we go look for an apartment, my love?” He nodded, escorting me to my side. Grabbing my stuff as I got in. I giggled as he pranced to his side. He got in and drove to the nearest apartment.

“Oh I almost forgot. My parents called. They want to meet you.” I choked, “What? Are you serious?” He nodded, “Yeah. Tonight. So after we look for apartments, we are going to our dorms and get ready. Look your best.” I nodded holding his hand. We went to The Cove apartments and looked and 1 bedroom apartments. It was a bit cheap and we liked it. It had the washer dryer hooked up already. I smiled and agreed. We placed it on hold and left to the dorm. I ran into the room as he went to his. I found the perfect dress and jewelry. I hopped in the shower and got dressed. I put a little bit of makeup and shoes on. I grabbed my purse and knocked on Adam’s door. He opened it, wearing his best clothing. He had a white medium sleeve shirt on with black denim jeans. He gazed at me and smirked, “You look beautiful, love.” I blushed a hint of red and kissed him as we went to his parent’s house in his truck. I started trembling as we entered the gated house. It was huge. It was a Victorian style home. We stopped at the doors seeing the parent’s stand in front. Smiling at their son. I got out and stood behind Adam. “It is ok. I will introduce you.” He waved to his parents. “Hey mom and dad. This is Starlet. I call her Star for short.” I came out, waving lightly, “Hello.” His mother grimaced and spoke to his father, “He didn’t say anything about her being…different.” I looked down as I held Adam’s hand. We walked inside and sat in the living room. “Starlet? Would you like some tea? Coffee?” I looked at his mom, “Tea, Mrs. Richards. Thank you.” I gazed at the inside while someone came back with a tray of cups for the tea. I poured some milk and sugar and began sipping it. After half an hour of Adam talking about him being at the college, a guy came out, “Dinner is served everyone.” We stood up and headed to the dining hall and sat down. A tray of food came out and was served to us. I took a bit, “So Starlet, what are you doing at the college?” I looked up at his mother, “I want to become a botany. To study plants. I enjoy being around plants.” She nodded, drinking her wine. “Starlet? Is that actually your name? Sounds strange.”

“Mom?? Don’t ask her that. Her name is unique, just like her.” His mom gave him a look and back at me, “It is ok Adam. My name is from the star. My parents enjoyed gazing at the stars at night and when I was born, they just gave me that name for how bright I was.” She made a confused face, “Bright?” I nodded, “My hair was white just like a star when I was a baby, but it has gotten darker now.” She nodded looking at Adam. We finished dinner and went to the study. “Adam, sweetheart? Can I talk to you alone please?” He nodded, kissing my forehead and following his mother. I was alone with his father. “You are a good choice for my son. He has warmed up a lot to you. He has that look in his eyes.” I smiled, he took my hand and showed me his pictures of Adam. The accomplishments when he was in school. His father left the room hearing noise. “Please feel at home, Starlet.” He left and I roamed around. I heard a noise and followed it. I saw a creak at a door. I peeked in. It was Adam and his mom.

“Adam why don’t you listen to me?”

“Because mom, I love her. I am not going to listen to your words about her.”

“I am doing what is best for you. Don’t move in with her. She is a freak of nature. What happened to that Kayla girl? You like her?”

“No, You did! I love Starlet. She is not some freak. She is an amazing person. Why do you not see that!?”

“Because, son. She isn’t right for you. She is…is a hippie! We do not date hippies in this family…”

I gasped, moving back and hitting the bookshelf making books fall. They looked over and saw me. I ran, running for the door. “Star!” I kept running, track is going to break in. I kicked off my shoes and ran faster, hot tears running down my cheeks. I am a hippie, but his mother doesn’t like me. No one will. I kept running. It started pouring, getting my dress went. I found the highway bridge and hid under it. “Star! Where are you? Fuck!” I sat underneath, shivering and sobbing in my knees. My make-up started running, and my hair a mess. I coughed, feeling myself getting cold. I felt myself get light headed, feeling everything fade away. Seeing a shadow above my head. “I got you…it is ok.” Adam, is that you?

~Adam~

Shit. Where is she? “Adam, dear. Please come inside it is raining.” I shot a glance at my mom, “Damn you mom! She is gone because of you! I need to go find her.” I ran, seeing her shoes were off. I picked it up and got in my car. I drove off, searching for her. “Star!” I stopped at the bridge. Looking over, “Star. Please answer me.” I felt tears streaming. I stopped it, I need to be a man. I saw a hand fall out from underneath. I ran down and saw Star, laying there. I picked her up, “Star? Answer me. Please wake up.” She didn’t move. She was cold as ice and pale like a ghost. I lifted her up and put her in the truck, laying in the back with my jacket wrapped around her. I looked back at her every once in a while till we were at the dorms. I rushed her inside her room and took her clothes off. I felt my heat up as I got to her underclothes. I closed my eyes and took it off and wrapped a blanket around her and made some hot water and placed it near her. I sat on the chair as I watched her move around, sobbing in her sleep. I crawled into bed with a separate blanket and held her. I didn’t want her thinking anything. I stroked her hair and I closed my eyes falling asleep. I got you Star. Always will.