Back to December

Part 3

"I can't believe you are in that disgusting little town," I fell back onto the couch as mother droned on. "They don't even have a decent restaurant," she scoffed and while Buck's Café may not be the Gilded Lily, it was home.

"I'm only here for the night," I sighed.

"I hope you are not going to see that boy," her nasally voice cut through my thoughts.

"I'm not," I lied.

"I never liked him," I rolled my eyes. "He was never good enough for you," she continued her rant. "His hands were always so dirty," I pictured her staring down at her own hands in scrutiny.

"How's the honey moon," I asked trying to change the subject.

"It's great," she squealed, I winced pulling the phone from my ear.

"Gary went snorkeling today while I sun bathed all day," she sighed, "it really is magical down here."

"That's great mom," I smiled even though I was already dreading the day she would decide that Gary was not the man for her.

"Tonight he is taking me to a little island just south of this one for dinner!" again a piercing squeal sounded.

"Well have fun," I commented, hoping to wrap the conversation up quickly.

"I will darling, you be careful," she sighed, "and don't stay in that dreary town very long."

"Leaving first thing in the morning," I affirmed. "Love you mom."

"Love you too darling," a click echoed in my ear as she hung up.

I threw the phone to my left where it landed with a loud thud on the ground.

She wasn't lying when she said she never like Huck and she had never passed up the chance to let me know.

"Bye mom," I called trying to run through the kitchen, but she caught me.

"Where are you going young lady?" she asked from her perch on the counter.

"To the winter night concert," I answered quickly, darting a glance to the front window where I could see Huck's headlights pulling in.

"With?" her voice lingered in the silence, she knew exactly who I was going with, but she wanted me to say his name so she could start listing his flaws.

"Huck," I answered, the grip on my jacket tightening as she took a deep breath.

"That boy is not good enough for you," I didn't correct her, this would all go much faster if I didn't disagree. "He is going to be stuck in this town for the rest of his pathetic life," she sneered, I flinched. "You need to dump him before you get to attached," I failed to tell her that it was to late. I loved him. "Why don't you just stay home and call that Peterson boy," that I rolled my eyes at. "He is going places."

"I'm going now," I said evenly. "I'll be home before midnight," was the only good night she got as I went through the front door, cold air immediately cooling my warm body. How dare she?

My eyes took in the form now getting out of the truck, he was perfect, in every way; how could he not be good enough for me?

"Hey there beautiful," the grin that made my heart face slipped onto his face as he lounged against the passenger side door.

"Hey," I squeaked, my voice caught in my throat.

"What's the matter?" the grin vanished as he stepped toward me.

"It's nothing," I lied as he took me into his arms.

"You sure?" his voice was muffled by my hair.