confession [a short story]

two

confession
| two: reunion |

"Do I look okay?" Noah asked Charlotte for the third time as he stepped out of the car. During the hour drive to his girlfriend's parents' house, his nerves were gradually building up. Noah had only met Charlotte's parents once before, but this time he's meeting all of her aunts, uncles and cousins. He always had a hunch that her folks never liked him, mostly because he is almost three years older than her, and for the fact he mentioned he dropped out of college midway into the first semester freshman year. Charlotte always reassured him that her parents like him; he just wished to believe it too.

Looking over his jeans and button up shirt, Charlotte chuckled and grabbed his hand. "Of course you do, babe." Squeezing his hand to give him some comfort, she gave him a small nod. He smiled back at her, albeit nervous. The two walked hand-in-hand to the front door, Noah knocking on it thrice. Hearing a shout and heavy footsteps approaching, Noah sucked in a deep breath.

Charlotte's dad, Edmund had opened the door, his eyes lighting up at the sight of his daughter. "Charlotte!" He exclaimed. "Didn't expect for you to come." He extended his arms to his daughter and gave her a tight hug. "Hi dad. I told mom I was coming, she didn't tell you?" Charlotte embraced her dad equally as tight as he did. "Ah, you know your mother. She doesn't bother to tell me anything anymore."

Watching from the side, Noah smiled at the reunion between father and daughter. Since starting college again a while back, Charlotte had little time to see her parents.

Letting go of Charlotte, Edmund turned to Noah, extending his right hand out for a shake. "Nice to see you, Noah." He said. Noah accepted his hand and shook it firmly. "You too, Sir." Charlotte interrupted, "Where's mom?" Edmund stepped to the side allowing the pair to enter the house. "Everyone is out in the back, your cousins are going to be happy to see you." He chuckled.

Walking through the first floor of the house, they made it to the backyard. White picket fences lined the property, tables and chairs set up around with people occupying them. Music playing mildly loud on speaker by the grill, which was being used to cook various meats.

Upon their arrival, a man about the same height as Noah came sprinting towards Charlotte. He immediately wrapped her up in a hug. "It's been so long!" He exclaimed as Charlotte laughed and embraced him back. "I know, I'm sorry." Charlotte sighed. The two let go of each other and Charlotte stepped back next to Noah.

"Noah this is my cousin, Eli. Eli this is my boyfriend, Noah." She introduced. "Nice to meet you, man." Both men shook hands and Noah gave a slight smile. "You too." Eli stepped back and looked at Charlotte. "So, how's my favorite bisexual doing?" He joked. Charlotte tensed up, Noah glanced at her confusingly. Before either of them could talk, Charlotte's mom, Doris, came rushing over. She immediately pulled her daughter into a hug. "God, have I missed you." She sighed, tears filling up her brown irises. "I've only been gone a month, mom." Charlotte chuckled.

Pulling away from her daughter, Doris scoffed, "I don't care. I'm your mother and I'm allowed to miss my only child." Doris looked to her left and noticed Noah. "Noah, I'm glad you could be here, too." She grasped onto his arm. "Come. I'd like you to meet a few people." Doris started pulling Noah away from Charlotte and towards more of her family.

Looking back and giving a nervous glance towards Charlotte, the girl could only laugh as she watched her boyfriend nervously meet her family for the first time.