In the Shadows

Chapter 7

(Author's Note: If you would wish to listen to Chapter 7 on audio, please click the video. Thank you and enjoy! PS. this is what I think Ms. Nelson looks like but you can imagine her as you wish it's your imagination!)

   As he pulls up to my house, I recognize Ms. Nelson taking out the trash. I totally forgot about her, I hope she does not come over here. She is another nosy person. Camille and Ms. Nelson want to know what's going on with my life, but at least they're looking out for me. Camille is like my big sister while Ms. Nelson is like my second mom. I appreciate them, but they can be annoying sometimes. Despite that, I love that they both care for me like I'm part of their family.

  I make my way out of the car, and at the same time, Chris climbs out to retrieve my bike. I turn my back and find Ms. Nelson is coming towards us. I spoke too soon. Oh no. Not Ms. Nelson too, he already had to deal with Camille giving him a lecture, and I don't think he can handle another one.

  She waves at me when she says, "Hello dear, how are you?" She turns her attention to Chris who places my bike next to me. "Oh, who is this strong and handsome young man?"

  "Hello Ms. Nelson, this is Chris my..." What do I call him? Is he my friend, like he said he was to Camille, or was he saying that to get her to stop asking him questions?

  "I'm her friend," he says.

  Ms. Nelson and I stare at him in utter shock at his reply by using the word friend. Chris glances at me and smiles.

  I can't believe he said friends to Ms. Nelson. Perhaps we are friends after all. I can't even bring myself to talk, let alone say anything after he called us friends twice- first to Camille and now to Ms. Nelson.

  Ms. Nelson, on the other hand, is not shy to speak. She grabs hold of my shirt and pulls me closer to her and tries to whisper, but it comes out louder than I expected. "He sure is cute. Are you sure you guys are just friends? If I was you, I would be all over him. I wish I was forty years younger, I would jump on him in a second."

  I hear Chris laughs softly. Yes, he could totally hear her if he was laughing, maybe she does want him to hear her.

  My gosh! Why do these women embarrass me? He's probably thinking right now if I have another person come up and harass him. I think he's becoming annoyed with these women. Well, at least not with Ms. Nelson. She is being polite to Chris compared to Camille who literally tormented him. I realized when we were in the car, Chris was infuriated with Camille. But the way he laughed at Ms. Nelson makes me consider that he thinks she's funny, maybe she's even flirting with him. Is she trying to flirt with him? Gosh, I hope not.

  I have to get him away from her before she embarrasses me even more. He can't deal with another person again. Fuck, I can't deal with another person pestering him and embarrassing me. I know they're sweet women, but come on, enough is enough. I want it to stop! I'm uncomfortable being in between them, and I expect Chris is feeling awkward as well.

  I'm still close to her as she talks to him, but I'm in a daze, I'm too much in my thoughts to pay any attention to what they're actually saying. That is until I heard my name, I tune back into their conversation. Oh gosh, when is this going to end?

  I hear Chris say, "I think she's in good hands with you and I would love to come back to see you as well."

  She laughs. "You know what to say to an old girl."

  She's definitely flirting with him and Chris is being nice and flirting with her back and I wish they'll stop this conversation. I don't want to be rude, however, I need him to leave before he gets too overwhelmed. Actually, before I get overwhelmed with Ms. Nelson. All right, he is having fun with her, but I need to put an end to their talking before this gets any worse. Thank goodness, I don't have any more women in my life, I think I couldn't handle another person.