Troubled

49

forty-nine
percy

My mother was nervous.

I could tell by the way she frantically patted down her hair and talked a lot and very fast—which she did when she was nervous.

"Mom, calm down," I said, trying my best to reassure her.

She sighed as she quickly readjusted her necklace and nodded. "Can you set the table for me, dear? I just have to check on dinner..."

I nodded as I walked into living room that had a scratched up formal dining table shoved in it. Even though I had no clue what I was doing, I set the table to the best of my abilities.

Then a knock at the door caused my mother to screech. She rushed over to the door and swung it open.

"Hey, Paul," she greeted as she led him inside. He was holding a bouquet of flowers, which my mom accepted with a blush.

"I hope you don't mind I also brought some Blofis family recipes with me," he said with a grin as he presented her with several platters of food.

My mom laughed as she set the food down on the counter. "You're too kind, Paul! Anyways, dinner is nearly ready. Percy, come say hi!"

I made my way into the kitchen where I waved at Paul. He nodded back and then rushed into the kitchen to help my mom with dinner.

After dinner was ready we ate. My mother and Paul talked with each other the whole evening. Paul shared stories of his work and my mom talked about her efforts to get her now completed book published.

I was quiet nearly the whole dinner. Between my mom's nervous excess talking and Paul's laughter, no one really noticed.

"Percy, I'm assuming you're excited to go to college in the fall, huh?" Paul questioned me with a small smile.

I nodded. "Uh, yeah, it'll be fine."

Paul smiled warmly. "I remember back when I was in college I did Shakespearean acting. I know to wield a sword you know."

Even though I didn't find the story that impressive, the glint in Paul's eyes made it seemed as if he really cared so I nodded. "Oh, yeah, that sounds awesome. Maybe I'll, uh, get to do something like that."

"I'm glad you sound so interested!" he said with a grin. "Percy, where's that girl of yours, Annabeth? I'm sure she'd be overly interested in Shakespeare, a mind like her's."

My mother's fork fell out of her hand and clinked against the table. She peered at Paul intensely, causing Paul to awkwardly smile at me.

"May I be excused?" I asked weakly as I peered at my mom, who just nodded. I watched her stare at me as I made my way to my room.

After throwing open my window I climbed out onto the fire escape. It clanged and probably annoyed the hell out of my neighbors, but I didn't care.

It was nearly Annabeth's birthday. Her turning eighteen was the only hope I had of ever seeing her again.

Paul was a good dude. My dramatic exit was uncalled for and he probably hated me now. Why did I have to screw things up?

And suddenly, Gabe's voice came back to me.

You're just a screw up, punk, he would torment me. One of these days you're gonna get yourself killed, the way you talk.

My fists clenched in anger as I peered out at the city, my heart racing. God, why couldn't I get him out of my head? Was Annabeth's absence in my life causing me to spiral?

We've only been apart what, not even a week? And I can't handle myself?! What the hell was I going to do for the rest of my life?!

Then a soft knock distracted me. I turned to see the door creak open. Standing there impishly was Paul.

I quickly climbed back into the apartment, a frown on my face. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make a scene or offend you, you didn't know."

He shook his head. "No, Percy, it's alright. I get it. Relationships are hard, and, uh, Sally told me all about what happened. Ending things in a way like that....it sounds rough."

"Yeah, well, I guess it is," I admitted. "You're a good dude though, okay? I don't hate you or anything. My mom really likes you, so you're okay in my book."

Paul laughed. "You know, Percy, I knew your mother in high school. We were very close friends before her uncle's passing. Then she dropped out and I didn't know what happened to her.

"I thought I'd lost her forever, right before I worked up the nerve to finally ask her out. But I found her again, and you can find Annabeth, too."

And in that moment I truly knew how it felt to have a father. Someone to give you advice, someone who cared.

"I know that I haven't been dating your mother very long, but I'm not getting any younger. I...I was wondering if I had your permission to marry her?" Paul asked weakly.

A grin appeared on my face. "Of course. Just don't break her heart, okay?"

Paul nodded. "I wouldn't dare. I should probably get back to your mother now, she'll be worried. And if you want to join us, she's serving dessert as we speak."

"That doesn't sound so bad," I said with a grin.

"Alright, let's go. And Percy, don't give up on Annabeth just yet. Maybe write her a letter, her phone is probably taken away," he said. "Don't write your return address or name, make it look professional. Boring, maybe even like spam."

My eyes lit up. "Thanks, Paul. You're...you're the best."