"Natalia!-Natalia!"
"Hey mom I was just on my way out" Rushing I grab an apple and place it between my teeth as I pick up my jacket and put it on.
"You're leaving again? We see you less than when you weren't staying here. I was hoping to spend more time with you while you stay here this summer."
"I'll be back later mom, I'm just going over to Thomas for a bit."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I introduced Thomas to my family after 3 months, it was interesting to say the least. My mother fawned over his accent much like every woman I've seen him talk to does. While my brothers just made jokes, and my dad worked the grill.
I was in a trance as I watched mom and Victor joke with Thomas and smiled
"Mom's just surprised you're dating a black guy. Even if he is British." Vincent joked as he joined me in the kitchen for a refill on his drink.
"You really just can't date an African AMERICAN." You're so weird Nat.
I rolled my eyes as my thoughts rejoined reality. "Says the guy who dated a Canadian"
"Hey! They are our sisters to the North." He rebutted pointing his finger in the air.
"Well my brother from the south, maybe you should stop being so judgemental."
"No judgement, I'm just glad you're happy. Especially after whatever happened with D and the last guy."
Choking on my drink I coughed out "How did you know about D?"
"Oh please, a brother knows. You know I don't appreciate you crushing on my friends."
"He wasn't your friend, you hung out once."
"Yeah but we could have really had something, he had a great weed connection."
Deciding to ignore my brother who obviously had one too many drinks I joined Thomas on the sofa and took his hand. He turned and gave me a warm smile as he squeezed my hand and I felt comforted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Well"- My mother said waving her hand in front of my face bringing me back to the now.
"You practically live there. I know for a fact your father would like to see more of you."
"Don't exaggerate, I don't see you giving the boys a speech about sticking around more."
"Well I don't want to spend more time with them." I laughed as my mother made a face and stuck out her tongue as she voiced a shared opinion.
"Dad works crazy hours, I could stay home all day and still not see him"
I watched as my mom's face began to frown at my last statement. I know she can get lonely sometimes with my dad being a workaholic and all of the kids out of the house. Growing up her world revolved her children, she gave up her friends who couldn't handle her motherhood lifestyle, sacrificed higher paying jobs to be able to spend more time with us and attended every school event, meeting, and club we ever had. Dad worked around the clock to provide for us and was still able to dole out fatherly advice when necessary. Like most kids I'd do anything for my parents, and like most I sometimes take them for granted.
"I'll be back for dinner, we can go out, me, you and dad. We'll bring the boys a doggie bag."
I watched the familiar comforting smile I grew up with return to her face.
"Okay, but you're paying"
"Deal"
I chuckled as I gave her a kiss on the cheek and raced out the door.
¤
I was laying on the couch with Thomas on top of me as we made out when my phone began to vibrate loudly on the table.
"I thought we were putting our phones on silence?" Thomas sighed into my neck.
"It is on silence."
"No it's on vibrate, you can hear vibrations. I put mine on actual silence, do you hear it?"
"No"
"Eureka, I think she's got it."
"Hardy har har, just wait till you lose your phone and you can't call it because you didn't have it on vibrate."
"Aren't you going to answer that?"
"I'm kinda busy here." I said as I kissed his jaw line and traced my fingers on his hips.
"It's okay, you can make it up to me" He winked as he rose from the sofa and sauntered into the kitchen.
I picked up the insistent vibrating phone and was greeted with a picture of a beautifully lit cave with the name Dad across.
"Hey dad!"
""Hey sweetie, your mom said you're taking us to dinner tonight?"
"Yeah somewhere fancy so no work clothes."
"Aw come on Nettie you know I don't like those stuffy places. Why don't I just put a steak on the grill and you and that nice young fella can come over."
"Because it's my treat and I want you guys to relax and let someone else do the cooking for you. Plus I really don't feel like hearing you and Thomas debate football versus soccer again."
"Listen I like the boy and all but he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about when it comes to sports. Tell him if he's gonna be in America he better get into real football."
"Dad soccer IS the real foot- you know what, this isn't happening. Thomas already has plans and you're not cooking tonight. I'll be by to pick y'all up at eight, be dressed daddy."
"Okay sweetie, I'll see you then, I love you."
As I stopped pacing and sat on the sofa Thomas's phone began to light up. A picture of his guitar and the name Emily flashed repetitively before going to a black screen.
"I love you too daddy."
Hanging up the phone I can only see her name flashing in my head. No matter where I looked Emily would flash in front of me.
"Was your dad talking crap about soccer again."
"I am not getting in the middle of that."
Why was she calling him? Is this the first time she's called? Of course not, her name is on the i.d. he identified her. Does that mean they've been talking long? How long have they been talking?
"Y'know soccer is played in every country in the world, football is only in America." Thomas continued the conversation, oblivious to the storm raging in my head.
