The Last Thing She Wants (Chestnut Hills #1)

16

theo

“Mom?” Stepping into the two-story colonial, I called my usual greeting when I didn’t find my mom in the garden out front. My voice echoed, bouncing off the walls, stopping at the light music carrying from the back of the house.

“In here!” her voice called back to me from the sunroom.

Making my way through the open concept living room and dining room, I followed the same path I had for many years. A wide arch broke up the living spaces, leading me into the kitchen. Connected by a wall of windows, a large sunroom looked out into the backyard.

My silver haired mother was standing at an oak table, setting down silverware at the last place setting.

“My favorite son,” greeting me with a warm smile, she enveloped me in one of her big mom hugs, even though I stood a solid foot taller than her.

“Hi, favorite mom,” I placed a kiss on the top of her head. “I brought you a surprise,” she squealed at the sight of the bubblegum pink bag I brought into view .

“Oh, you’re definitely my favorite son now,” with a quick wink she grabbed my hand to lead me away. “Come, help me bring the food out. Thalia and Marc will be here any minute.” Following her into the kitchen, I took the dish of roasted vegetables from her and thoughtfully set them at the center of the table.

The front door opened, and my sister’s bright singing voice fluttered through the house. “Mo-om, I’m ho-ome,” Thalia belted in her usual big entrance way.

Greeting Thalia and her husband, Marc, at the door, mom approached them. “My favorite daughter and favorite son-in-law,” she crooned as she graced each with a kiss on the cheek.

“You know, if you call everyone your ‘favorite,’ it loses meaning,” I yelled from the sunroom as I filled the glasses with sweat tea.

“Don’t be jealous. A little more effort and you can be mom’s second favorite daughter.” My sister laughed, hugging me. Marc followed closely behind and gave me a firm handshake.

“What?” I feigned offense. “Who is second favorite now?”

Thalia pointed to the scraggly haired family dog sunbathing in the corner of the room. “Lily, of course.”

Dinner fell into a rhythm we became accustomed to since dad passed. Thalia and I reminisced about our childhood as Marc added funny quips. All the while our mom looked on lovingly.

In a choreographed manner, we cleared the table together, not missing a beat or crumb. Marc helped me clear the dishes, and we worked together in step as I began washing and Marc took over drying. Thalia and mom gossiped while they placed leftovers in glass containers.

Outlining the family room was a deep, lush, gray sectional, wide enough to rival a twin bed. I found my usual spot in the far corner as Marc and Thalia snuggled together. Our mom was the last to enter, waving the pink bag of treats.

“Cranberry truffles, anyone? Theo brought them.” She waved the bag like a prize and Thalia and Marc made appreciative noises, each accepting one.

“Nice, thanks Theo.” My sister raised her truffle before taking a bite.

“No problem,” I shrugged, accepting a truffle as well. “We were downtown last night, so I stopped by to pick some up.”

“Who’d you go with? Jake and Penny?” Marc asked, licking his fingers clean.

“Yeah, and Ellie and Daisy.”

The mention of the unfamiliar names piqued mom’s interest, and she jumped in with enthusiasm. “Ellie and Daisy…?”

“Just some new friends.” It required my best effort to remain nonchalant.

“Tell us more,” Thalia teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Ellie is my neighbor-”

It was mom that cut me off with a gasp, “-the one who’s boyfriend you walked in on?”

“ Ex-boyfriend, yes.”

“And the one who made you get stitches?” Thalia pointed to my head.

“Yep, still her,” I felt like a bobble head, nodding with each exchange.

“Interesting…” Thalia and mom exchanged a look, allowing the silence to hang. Eager to escape the questioning, I made a conscious decision to ignore the secret conversation they seemed to be having.

“So, uh, Theo…” Thalia began tentatively, “…how’s dating been going? Seeing anyone? ”

“No,” I answered curtly, knowing exactly where the conversation was headed. “Can we please just start the movie?” The big screen tv mounted on the living room had been lighting up the room bright blue for the last ten minutes.

“What about this Ellie girl?”

“What about her, mom?” Immediately, I regretted my abrasiveness and sighed, softening my tone. “Listen, she’s in a tough spot right now, just getting out of that relationship and all. Besides, I already asked her out, and she said no. Can we drop it?”

Pressing my lips together, sealing them shut, I stared at the tv until someone finally pressed play.

The sky began turning dark behind the drawn curtains. The movie ended just after eight, and I was ready to escape the uncomfortable feeling that stayed under my skin after snapping at mom. We gathered ourselves and walked out as a group. Mom and I waved Thalia and Marc off as they drove away while I stayed behind.

Standing in the front yard, I kept mom company while Lily did her business in the small area lit by the front porch lights. Satisfied, our family dog trotted inside and immediately jumped onto the couch, finding the exact spot I had kept warm for the last two hours.

Mom reached out and patted my cheek, pulling me into a hug. “I love you honey, drive safe.” Comforted by her love, guilt washed over me for my cranky behavior earlier. Apologizing, I squeezed her tight.

“I’m sorry for pushing, honey. I could just tell there was something more there, with this Ellie girl. You clearly have feelings for her, and I just want you to be happy. I know you already tried asking her out…do you want to talk about it?”

Now apart, I shoved my hands in my pockets to calm the nervous jitters. “I don’t know, mom. There’s something about her I can’t shake.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I can’t stop thinking about dad. What would he tell me?”

“You like this girl?” she watched as I shook my head in response. “Well, dear, your father was a special one. If he was here, I reckon he’d tell you not to give up.”

I already knew that, but I needed more. Something wasn’t clicking. It wasn’t enough. Taking my silence as a sign, mom continued.

“There’s something we never shared with you kids…I suppose he didn’t like to be reminded of this, but your Pop Pop, my father, forbade me from seeing your dad.”

I looked back at her in shock. “Pop Pop?”

“Mm-hmm, didn’t think your dad could provide for me or a family. After we met for the first time, we actually didn’t talk for months. And yet, somehow, he made sure to remind me he was always thinking of me. Every Friday night he’d knock on the door, ask my father to take me out, and my father would say ‘no.’” She chuckled, her eyes glazing over with memory.

“It hurt him, and it hurt me. It was hard to know we were supposed to be together, at the while there was a force keeping us apart.” Sighing, she shook her head. A tear in her eye glistened. “I guess what I’m trying to say is if your dad was here, he’d tell you not to give up. Not if you know, deep in your bones, that you’re supposed to be with her.”

All I could do was nod in agreement. Mom’s emotions brought up some of my own, and I swallowed harshly. Giving her one more giant hug, I got into my car and waved goodbye as I drove away.