A Penny For Your Thoughts

Chapter Twenty-Two~ Sometimes New York City Lights Cry

You should listen to "High Above the Ground" by Daughtry when reading this.

"You are being completely ridiculous," Luke sighed leaning up against the post of the kitchen. "No," she shook her head, "I see how it is."

Mothers. How they always assumed the worst of things.

"Mom it's literally just a weekend!" Luke promised. "So? You get one hospital free card and you choose to spend it in New York without me," his mom said, "I see you." "MOM!" he begged with a laugh bubbling up inside, "I'm 18 and I've never been on a road trip with JUST me and my friends." His mom turned around from unpacking a few dishes from a box and sighed. Her tired eyes lingered up to her son's and she held one of his baby fat cheeks in her hand, "My baby is growing up isn't he?" He rolled his eyes, "Mom you know..." "Don't say it," she shushed him, "You will have as many year as you are permitted and you WILL not say otherwise- understand?" Luke sighed a shaky breath and nodded. He knew he'd made his mom mad. "Luke..." she began to tear up, "As my son... no parent wants to hear their kid talk about-" "Okay Mom," he smiled and wiped away a tear from her eyes, "I won't talk about it okay?" She huffed, "Alright." He smiled down at his mom- he'd always known he'd look just like his mama- just now he really saw it. "Gosh," she shook her head, "You really love making me cry just to get your way don't you?" Luke laughed and shrugged, "Not sure. Did it work?" "No," she sneered and smacked his bottom. "MOM!" he whined like a 5 year old, "PLEASE?!" "I said 'No,'" she laughed. "But," he said scrambling for an excuse, "But I'd already promised Michelle that'd I'd bring her. And Abby and JJ too!" Her eyes widened, "You did? Are their parents okay with it too?" "Yeah," his voice cracked. She didn't look too deceived. "And I was going to like... y'know kiss Michelle there for like that ball drop thing," Luke combed the back of his hair, "For like a first kiss." "Luke!" his mom gawked, "You really think I'm that stupid? I see you guys on the couch ALL the time whenever I come home- no doubt you guys have already had a first kiss." Luke blushed and nodded, "Okay Mom." "I wouldn't be surprised if you'd already shredded her V card. Wait! She's not pregnant right? Oh! Her parents would-" "NO!" Luke raised his hands and made an X with them, "No! Not at all! None of that!" His mom sighed, "Oh good!" "Goodness Mom, Michelle and I have boundaries." "Really?" she raised an eyebrow, "Exactly what are these 'boundaries?'" "Clearly none of your business," he smiled and shook his head. "Man... was grandma like this when you and Dad were dating?" Luke asked. She retorted, "As IF! Your grandparents didn't even notice I was pregnant until I was four months in. Your grandfather thought I was just gaining weight."

Luke nodded wanting to get back to an answer, "So Mom..." "Yes?" she asked. "Can I go?" he asked. She rolled her eyes and said, "Fine. I guess your girlfriend is more important than your poor old mother." A big smile crept across his face when he exclaimed, "Thanks Mom! You're the best!" Luke ran out the kitchen and grabbed a bag from the steps. "Ugh!" she exclaimed, "You expected to say 'yes?" "Yeah," he shrugged and was half way out the door. "SEPARATE ROOMS PLEASE!" she shouted out the kitchen window. "Bye Mom!" Luke waved like a kindergartener going to school for the first time.

Pulling up to Michelle's house he honked on the horn. Instantly she got up off the front porch and said, "You're late." "Says your invisible watch," he winked. Michelle met him at the trunk and snuck in a kiss while her dad wasn't watching. "I can't believe we're actually doing this!" she said putting her bags in the trunk. He closed the trunk lid saying, "Well it wasn't easy. Before coming here I had to beg my mom." "Aw! That's adorable," Michelle teased, "Little Luke." "Shut up," he smiled and nudged her in the hip.

"Take care of my daughter," Mr. Hartford said. "Will do," Luke nodded under the heavy stare given by him. "Okay Dad," Michelle kissed her dad on the cheek, "Bye." "Bye," he said nodding.