Teachers Pet

46: I'm Okay. Are You?

        Gloria. That was Marcus's mothers' name. Gloria Hoover. She was a woman who defied all the expectations I had for her. The address she had given my mother confused us at first. For starters, her address was Twelve Court Bay Lane. Court Bay Lane to my knowledge had been in Velthorne, the next town over, in the wealthiest part. When my mother had driven us in our trusty old rusted Chevy Cavalier, I think we both nearly died of embarrassment when we indeed drove into the wealthiest part of Velthorne. Court Bay Lane was walled off from the rest of society. The actual drive to Court Bay Lane was twenty minutes down an isolated road that brought you up to a small security building. The security guard came outside to get our names, check our ID's and then check our car. The look on his face when he eyed us and the car made me want to throw up.

       After being silently judged by one security guard, another came out to ask what our business was here. We told him and were confused by the shocked reaction on his face. My mother and I overheard the security guards whispering about how Gloria Hoover hasn't had a visitor in twelve years. I didn't look to see my mother's face. Twelve years had been the exact amount of time that Marcus had tormented my mother and I. I can only guess who Gloria's last visitor was.

       When security finally let us pass, we entered through two large iron gates. Another long road greeted us that was lit by not street lights, but gas lamps on intricately designed posts. After ten minutes of driving down the curvy road, we finally approached some houses. Each house we passed had a front and back yard that could fit four or more houses. Long driveways and garages meant for five cars or more, houses that could be small mansions, trees, and flowers that seemed exotic almost... Court Bay Lane was another world entirely. One house we passed had their curtains drawn for their dining room. They had a table that could seat twenty people maybe. A family of five was eating a meal meant for a party. They looked so happy and so much as a family should look. I didn't envy the large house or the fancy silverware they were using... I envied how happy they looked.

       The drive to Gloria had taken longer than expected. When we reached her house, I felt my breath catch and my heart drop to my stomach. Twelve Court Bay Lane was over a short bridge, through a tiny portion of a forest preserve and was possibly the wealthiest home here. While all the other houses were small mansions, this was an actual mansion. Gloria's home was four floors and gated all around. We had to be buzzed in by someone inside that we addressed herself as Gloria's assistant. She had an assistant. My mother had parked her car behind one of six cars in a driveway that circled to a different path to leave.

       "She has six cars," my mother muttered. I looked to see her staring up at the house in awe. Six cars for a woman who probably didn't even drive. If I were this rich, I'd never drive myself anywhere. I'd be driven everywhere until the day I die.

       "I think I'm gonna be sick." She looked at me, grabbing my hand carefully. She smiled and seemed to have tears in her eyes.

       "If you can't do this, let me know now. I'll turn around and tell her we had a family emergency." She seemed all too willing to leave it seemed. I didn't want to be the reason my mother didn't go to this dinner. We needed to do this. My mother needed to be here tonight. She couldn't use me as an excuse.

       "I'm okay. Are you?" She nodded but then shook her head quickly. I watched as she quickly turned the car off and opened her door.

       "Let's go now before I have a panic attack." She got out a little too quickly, grabbing onto the doors' frame for support. She was taking deep breaths, exhaling slowly. I got out and walked around the car to grab her hand. She squeezed my hand as she locked the car with the key. I kept pace with her as she swiftly made her way to the front door. There were so many windows... So many curtains. Why was the number of curtains bothering me right now?