big news.” He didn’t sound happy, but then again he didn’t sound mad. “You two are so young, are you sure you’re ready for that step?"
"Dad, you know I don't enter into anything lightly. I love him and he loves me—what more is there?"
My dad sighed. "I just worry—it's my job as your dad. Don't get me wrong, I like Jensen a lot. In fact, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather see you with, but you two are awfully young. Even if you were older, I’d worry that it's so soon in your relationship."
Although my dad had never met Jensen in person, the two had closely been in touch when Dad wanted to buy me a nice vehicle for my birthday. Jensen left quite an impression on my dad at that time.
"Dad, we've been together for almost two years now," I pointed out, ignoring the length of time Jensen lost his memory and thought he was still dating his ex-girlfriend, Alyna, which he never would have done so had he been in his right mind.
"I know, I know … but he's going off to college. Sometimes long distance relationships don't work out." Dad was probably shaking his head on the other end of the line.
My stomach churned while disappointment came over me. A lump began to form in my throat and I wondered if Dad would have been this transparent had Jensen been sitting next to me.
"Don't you think I've thought of that?" I whispered, afraid if I used my voice it would betray me and share that I was on the verge of tears.
"I'm sure you have, but you know I'm a realist. I'm not saying you two will break up; I just want you to be prepared in the event it does happen." My dad fell silent again and then he cleared his throat when I didn't say anything. "What do his parents think of the news?"
"They seemed a little surprised like you, but overall they're supportive. They know we love each other."
"Hmm, well, that's good, I guess."
"Thanks," I said, wishing that Dad was at least a little bit more as excited as I was. "I'm really happy with him, Dad. He's my soul mate, OK?" I didn't mean it to sound like I was trying to gain his acceptance of the situation, but that's how it came out.
"I know, I know. He's a really great guy, he really is. Tell him I said congratulations and we'll have to plan a dinner when I'm up for your graduation next year. OK?"
"OK, I'll tell him. Thanks for being supportive, Dad. I know it's big news and I'm sort of springing it on you."
"Speaking of springing the news … did you tell your mom?"
"No way! We haven't talked since the whole emancipation. I'm hoping she'll just hear it through the grapevine."
"Really? You don't think she'd want to hear it from you instead? She is your mother after all. Don’t you think she at least deserves that much?”
"Are you and Jensen on the same wavelength or something?” I felt like I was re-living the conversation I’d had with Jensen. "No, I don't think she'd want to hear it from me. She hasn't made any effort to contact or have a relationship with me, so I don't want to have one with her. I might mention it sometime, but right now I don't want to." I was being what my mother referred to as huffy.
"Alright … OK … don't get excited. I was just asking a question."
"I know, I'm sorry. It's a personal subject, is all."
"It's alright, I understand."
"Dad, listen, I need to get going. Thanks again for being supportive. I'll be sure to tell Jensen you said hello and congratulations. Love you!"
"Love you, too, Mia. Talk to you again soon."
I hung up and placed the phone back in the cradle. In all honesty I didn't have to get off the phone, but the conversation had turned awkward and I realized I probably wouldn't have been able to turn it around. Looking at my watch again I began to wonder where Jensen might be. I grabbed my coat and decided to take a walk on the beach. Before I locked the door, I left him a note on the door:
Jensen,
I went for a quick walk while I waited for you.
Please come in and wait for me to get back.
I love you,
Mia
The sun was barely peeking out from the clouds as I made my way down to the beach. The tide was on its way out and a slight breeze was coming off of the water. I hugged my arms around myself to keep warm. For mid-August it was a little chilly. I started my walk down the beach, absently making my way closer to Jensen's house. It wasn't until I was about halfway there that I realized what I was doing. Maybe I was just too curious as to what he and his mom were discussing.
About five minutes later I saw the Meyers’ house and slowed my pace. Jensen was sitting out on the upper deck on one of the wrought-iron chairs of the bistro set near double French doors that led into the kitchen. He seemed to be alone and just staring out at the water. After watching him for a minute or two, I decided I'd walk up and say hello. Before I could, his mom emerged from one of the doors with two steaming cups, which I assumed were filled with coffee. Jensen’s attention was soon drawn to the hot cup and he smiled up at his mom, appearing to thank her. Ashlyn sat down in the chair next to Jensen and cupped the mug between her hands. I watched as she then set it down on a round table between them. She seemed to have a serious look on her face as she began to talk. I couldn't make out what she was saying, of course, because of the distance, but she seemed slightly upset.
Jensen's brow furrowed as he took a sip of his coffee and then put it down on the same round table. His hands became slightly animated as he talked, apparently answering a question or disagreeing with something she’d said. He turned his head abruptly and was looking out in my direction. Hoping that he wouldn’t see me, I stepped back behind a tree as quickly as I could, peeking through the branches and up at the wooden deck where he and his mother stood. It didn’t take long before I realized it was the nearby water he was looking at and not me. His mother appeared to still be speaking to him.
Even from the distance, I could tell Jensen’s mood was intense. His mom touched his arm lightly as he turned toward her and shook his head. They seemed to exchange a few more words before Jensen got up out of his chair and made his way to the kitchen through the French doors. That was my cue to beat it back to my house so he wouldn’t think I'd seen the exchange between him and his mom. Feeling like a spy who was about to get caught, I ran all the way back to my house, praying I would get there before Jensen did. I hopped the stairs two-at-a-time and was relieved to see the note still on the door. Quickly pulling it off, I sat down on the stairs and tried my best to regulate my breathing.
As it turned out, there was no reason to run back to my house since Jensen took another twenty or so minutes to return. Just as I was getting more than impatient waiting for him on my front porch, he emerged from the street and walked up my driveway with his hair still damp. Apparently he had taken a shower before coming back over.
3. Lunch With Friends
"Hey, babe," Jensen said as he walked up the driveway. "What are you doing out here?"
“Waiting for you. How was the talk with your mom?"
"Oh, fine. She actually just wanted to talk about what she said she did—last minute college stuff."
I
