My Pizza Guy. (editing)

15 ~ Once Upon A Time.

I ran out of my room as soon as Drea told me Mum had left.

No. Mom didn't go permanently. She told us once that sometimes she needed a timeout. So she came back eventually. But those were little quarrels.

And this time.... somehow I knew it wasn't a small one.

"Where are you?!" I yelled on the phone.

"Honey I'm out to get some groceries and--"

"Quit it Mom! I know what happened! Where are you?! " I yelled.

"Stop yelling." She said quietly.

I sighed, calming my nerves down.

"Where are you?" I said.

"I'm at a store, honey... uh.. groceries--"

"Which store?"

"Sweetums you don't have to come.. I'll be home so--"

"Which store?"

I didn't get a reply. She cut the call.

"Damn it!" I cursed. I sat in my Mazda and started it.

I called her again. She didn't pickup. I fastened my seat belt and put on my bluetooth. I put the call on redial.

"Honey I'm busy." She cut the call.

"And I'm stubborn." I tapped 'redial'.

"Last chance. Where are you?"

She sighed. "At the lake house." She cut the call.

"Urgh! Woman!" I hit the steering wheel.

**********

Sitting on the swinging sofa in the patio, head resting on the support, all alone.... sobbing.. was my Mom.

"Hey broken angel." I said behind her.

"Come sit with me." She said in a weak voice. She didn't turn to look at me. Mothers. They know when it's you. She had stiffened when I came. Though I was at her back. So they know.

I sat on the sofa swing beside her. "Hey.. what happened." I held her hand tight. She gripped mine.

"I think... I think it's time... I tell you." She said.

"That I'm adopted?" I faked a gasp.

She smiled weakly.

"Come on.. this bumpy nose," I pointed at mine, "is Dad's gift. And this," I ran a hand through my blonde waves. "Is a blessing from God. It's from your genes."

She grinned. "You got your charm from your father too." She said.

"Come to think of it, how charming was he, that you ran away?" I said. It was rude; to both Mom and Dad, but I was angry.

"There are things you should know, Peyton." Mom wiped her nose with a tissue.

"Okay. Tell me." I said.

"Promise me first."

"Promise you what?"

"You won't tell Drea. Or anyone." She said seriously.

I gulped. "I promise."

"I'll tell her myself if I have to. But if I can't when the time comes, then you will." She said.

I knew what she meant. But I couldn't come to think of such a situation. "You'll tell her. Now tell me."

"I didn't marry your father for love." She said.