Ain't It Fun - Paramore

Chapter 2:

11 a.m. read on his car clock, I sit up and putter my lips. So far the ride has been silent. After I told him the directions. Clicking on the radio over and over, he shut off the radio when there wasn't any music on, only podcasts. I pick at my pants. He asks, "are you warm? I can turn on the AC."

"Oh, no thank you," I respond. I take a peek at him before he turns on the road. I see the brown one level house came into my view. "Here, right here." I point to the house. I open the car door when he parks in the driveway and I approach the front. Before I can knock, it flies open and I'm engulfed in a hug.

"Honey, thank you so much for doing this!" Mom's tone is sweet and loud in my ear, swaying me from side to side.

"Hi, mom. How did you know I was here?" I ask in a tight voice.

"I was adjusting the curtains and saw you getting out of the car." She pulls away from me with a small smile, gives me a quick look at my appearance and then scrunches her face. "You didn't at least wear makeup or earrings before you left the house?"

"Mom, please. I was in a rush," I exasperate.

"First impressions matter." She advises as always, growing up Mom and dad will tell me and Ricky to look presentable whenever because you never know who you will meet. Even taking in her attire, she's wearing a pure white blouse, black pants and red shoes complement her dark brown skin tone and bob cut hairstyle. She likes to make an impression no matter what.

"Yes, ma'am." I feel a lecture coming from the way she's pursing her lips like a duck. "Mom. The cake and stuff are in the car, I gotta get it." I hope that changed the subject.

"That's not your car. Is that what took you so long?"

"Mine's in the shop."

"You should have told me that instead."

"You hung up. I had to take a Lyft ride service."

"Morning ma'am. How are you?" Interrupts Seth as he brought out more of the things.

"Good morning. Thank you." Mom smiles and grabs the bags from his hands and places it down on the step.

"I'll get the cake," he tells us. Running a hand over his wavy black hair, he jogs to his car.

"Oh no, I'll do it," I suggest, walking over behind him.

Mom pulls me back by the hem my shirt, "let the nice man do it." She grins again, he holds it carefully step by step. Good idea mom, at least there's no damage. Or dirt. My heart's beating faster thinking it's gonna drop again. I grab the bags and head inside after him so he doesn't trip. Mom holds the door open for him and directs where to put it.

"Where's Rick?" I ask mom as I place everything on the kitchen counter.

"He went out with friends."

"Oh."

"Thank you so much, young man," mom tells Seth.

"Yes. Thank you. It means a lot." I smile at him.

"No problem. Have a good day." He waves and exits the house, closing the door gently behind.

"Any trouble carrying the cake?" Mom asks.

"Nope." I pull out my phone to complete the ride, also to hide the lie on my face. I'm surprised the cake is in its shape. Since he was patient and kind, I rate him five stars and a nice tip. My stomach grumbles, my eyes widening at the sound. I try to conceal it, it grumbles again. It's loud and unsettling. Mom turns her head when she hears it. I smile sheepishly.

"You didn't eat breakfast," mom states.

"I was in a rush." I rifle through the plastic bag, remembering my pastries. There's no brown paper bag. Thinking I left it in the car and then I realized when I fell, I dropped it on the street. The cars have probably run over them.

"Shit," I mutter quietly.

Mom shakes her head, "come on. I'll make you some tomato soup with turkey sandwiches." I follow behind, thinking of the perfect combination makes my stomach growl again.

***

Mom turns off the stove, I take my plates and sit on the table next to her. "Anything exciting happening at work?" She asks me before taking a knife to cut her sandwich in two.

"Well, vampire novels are not being published as much anymore," I answer and took a bite of my sandwich. I sigh and savor the taste of avocado, turkey, and tomato between the wheat bread.

"That's good. I don't get why people like it so much."

"It's romantic."

"Speaking of romance, how's Ivory? Has she set a date for her wedding?" Mom asks of my best friend.

"She settled on a July date, I think."

"I bet that must be stressful."

"It has been. She threatened one of the tailors because they suggested teal as the base color."

"Have you met anyone new recently?"

"No." I wipe my mouth off of the crumbs.

She sighs, "there are other men out there besides Steven." I clench my jaw, she just had to bring him up.

"I know, mom," I mumble. I'm not in the mood to argue today.

"What about those dating sites?"

"I don't trust those."

"Your sister can set you up, I met one of her friends and he's handsome-"

"I like being single."

"I know you do, my independent daughter. I just want you to be happy."

"I am, mom. I really am." I smile. She pats my back and tells me to finish my food before I go. It's the mom instinct in her that wants me to settle down with love and a family like she did. I'm glad she isn't rushing me because time is running out, but it gets to a point where she expects me to find a man to wed tomorrow. After my last break up, I don't think I can head into another commitment. Hazel eyes pop into my head, it was a chance to run into a man like him. I shake my head and gulp down my drink.

"Where's dad?" I change the subject, folding my napkin three times and wipe my spot on the table.

"Work. He'll be home tonight," she answers, taking a sip of her drink.

"Ok. I gotta start heading home." I pull up from my chair and take our dishes to the kitchen, placing them in the dishwasher.

"Ok, sweetie. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, mom." Mom pulls me into an embrace, I inhale her strong yet inviting scent. It makes me miss home and how I used to steal spritzes of her perfume when she was cooking in the kitchen. I decide to call another car service to head home. It comes seven minutes later, mom escorts me out the front door. We hug once more before I enter the car, the Lyft driver drives off the curb and onto the road. I'm drained, all the energy is sucked out of me as I slump into the seat ready to head home.

I kept writing and deleting this chapter. I like this version better. Vote and comment!! ❤