Stakes and Dates {Chapter 3}

“Mom! I’m home!” I slammed the front door closed behind me. Haphazardly I dropped my shoes in the closet.

 “Up here, honey!”  I heard my mom’s muffled yell from upstairs. I could hear music playing in her room and figured that’s where she would be. I threw my bag at the hook on the wall; it missed and fell with a thump to the ground. I was going to leave it and pick it up later when my mom called again, “Pick that up!”

I sighed and tromped back down the stairs to pick up my bag, I dragged it all the way up the stairs behind me by the strap before I chucked it into my open room. Luckily it landed on my bed; I really didn’t feel like picking it up again.

“Mom?” I prodded my mom’s door open with my foot. I didn’t see her in the main room so I walked over to her bathroom and peeked in. She was lounging in the bathtub surrounded by mountains of bubbles and candles.

“Mom?”  She looked up from the magazine she was reading and smiled.

My mom was gorgeous. She had once been a model but when she met and married my dad she had decided to leave that world behind and become a stay at home mom but that didn’t mean she was any less gorgeous.

She had her auburn hair knotted on top of her head and her face was free of make-up. I could see a couple wrinkles around her eyes but that was about it, my mom sure spit in the face of time. She was nearing forty now but she didn’t look a day over twenty five.

“What are you staring at, honey? Do I have something on my face?”

I laughed. “No, I was just thinking that I’m so lucky to have a mom as pretty as you.” Now it was her turn to laugh.

“Is that the only reason you love me?!” She cried dramatically.

I smiled impishly and sat on the edge of the tub. I lifted some of the bubbles and blew them at her. A clump of them landed right on the end of her nose. Her eyes crossed as she looked at them.

“Of course. Why else would I love you?”

“Brat!” She chuckled and poked me with her toe. I grabbed it and wiggled it back and forth splashing water onto my pant leg in the process.

“You know you love me!”

“Never!” she snatched her toe back and sunk into the bubbles until only her eyes peeped out at me.  

God, my mom and I were so immature.  My mom has always been pretty laid back and open, always keeping me in the loop. We didn’t have secrets from each other and I’m sure that’s how we grew to have such a fantastic mother/daughter relationship. I would never trade my mom for anyone and couldn’t understand how other kids could hate their moms like they say they did. I could never imagine hurting my mom intentionally; sure I made some mistakes and disappointed her but nothing that wasn’t fixed immediately.

My mom raised me to be a strong and independent woman and because of that I never felt the need to rely on guys to make me happy. And to this day I haven’t had a boyfriend and that didn’t bother me. It allowed me to concentrate on school and swim and allowed me to make goals for my future that didn’t revolve around a guy; when my friends talked about their boyfriends I did feel a little left out but I reminded myself that all that would come later.

“Want to talk about it?” I snapped my head up and realized I must have zoned out. My mom was staring at me curiously from the sink, a towel wrapped around her middle. When she had gotten out of the tub beat me.

“Um, I’m just having guy trouble.” The shock in my mom’s eyes was quickly concealed but if I wasn’t mistake she was happy. Maybe moms live for this? When their daughters come home raving about the new guy they met, yadda yadda yadda. Too bad this wasn’t like that.

“Is this a guy you like?” She started to skillfully tweeze her brows using the little mirror I called the alien mirror. When you look into it, it contorts your face humongously and lets you see all your flaws up close and personal.

“God no. He’s a jerk at school, you know Jordan? The guy I told you about?”  I sat in the duel sink watching my mom go about her business. I untied my hair and brushed it out again.

“Hmm, vaguely. He swims with you, right?” She looked at me in the mirror for confirmation.

“Yeah, that guy.”

“Why’s he a jerk again? Refresh my aging memory.”

“Mom, you are anything but old.” I sighed watching her apply her foundation.

“I never said I was old! Why? Do you think I’m old?!”

“Well…” I let the sentence drag on and raised my eyebrows in mock apology.

“You little witch, come here. I’ll show you!” She jumped over and grabbed my face holding it steady while she put the tweezers to my poor brows.

“Ow! Mom! Ow! Ok, ok I give!

“If you say so,” She laughed and I looked in the mirror. Oh my mom had jokes, she only completed one eyebrow and you could totally tell the difference.

“Ugh, now do the other! I can’t be seen like this.”

“Do what? I’m sorry, I’m getting so old I can’t rememb—“I interrupted her by throwing a loofah at her face. She was crouched over grabbing her back and she looked so shocked as she watched the sponge drop to the ground. 

Then she dropped to the ground laughing her ass off. She literally put the meaning to Roll on the Floor Laughing.

“Oh God,” gasp, “I raised,” another gasp, “A monster!” She screeched.  She rolled on her back and chucked the loofah back at me. It totally went wide and landed near the toilet which made her laugh ever harder. I couldn’t help but laugh with her. You know those contagious laughs that kinda carry? Like a yawn? Her laugh was like that. By the time she was done I was laying on the floor next to her gasping for breath.

“How dare you abuse your dear old mother?!” She grinned and grabbed me in a hug.

“So you admit you’re old?” I questioned innocently into her shoulder. She huffed theatrically and pushed me away.

“I guess, I guess.” I grinned and pushed myself to my feet, helping my mom up after me.  She caught sight of herself in the mirror and grimaced.

“I’ll let you get back to getting ready. We’ll talk later, yeah?” I hugged her and waited for her answer.

“Of course, you can’t get off the hook that easy.” She patted my back and smiled at me in the mirror.

“Where are you and Dad going anyway?” My mom and dad always had these spontaneous date nights, where they would be gone for hours on end then come back with these weird stories about their adventures while they were out. Seriously, how much trouble could two grown adults get in? Apparently a lot. My mom never wore dresses on her dates anymore; one of their stories included her jumping a fence in a dress and heals. She vowed never again, no matter how fancy the place.

“There’s this new Indian restaurant your dad discovered and he said they had great calamari!”  I scrunched up my nose at the mention of calamari. I tried it once when my parent and I were on a food adventure. Just as my mom vowed off dresses, I vowed never to let a piece of squid pass my lips again!

“Have fun with that,” I said sarcastically.

“You know we will! Remember that ti—“ Her phone jingled on the counter. “Oh, let me take this honey, it’s your dad,” She swipped her finger across the screen and answered, “We were just talking about you!” I heard my dad’s deep voice in the other end asking a question.  “Dad wants to know how the swim meet went.”

“We won.”

“Of course you guys did,” she turned back to her phone, “did you hear that? Yeah she said they won.” She laughed then turned back to me, “Dad says congratulations and ice creams on him. There’s a five on the night stand.”

“Sweeeeeet, thanks Dad!” I cried from my distance away.

“He says, ‘You’re welcome and keep it up.’” Mom smiled and me and gave me a thumbs up. I winked at her, wiggled my fingers at her and walked out of the room. Her voice echoed all the way down the hall so I closed the door on my way out.

My dad was a business broker so he wasn’t home to often but, somehow, he always made time to be with me and mom. I mean, I couldn’t complain, I lived in a great neighborhood with a great house and two devoted parents. Home life was as good as it gets. I guess I could thank my parents for that. Both of their parents had gotten divorced multiple times, ripping their families apart. When my dad had met mom on a business trip and they decided to marry, they vowed they would never get divorced. They would do anything to keep their family together and it’s worked for the past nineteen years.

I meandered down the hall to my room and flopped onto my bed.

My room was pretty awesome. My parents had let me paint and decorate it however I wanted on one condition that I did it all by myself so since the beginning of high school my walls have seen an ongoing assortment of colors, from lime green to orangey orange. Currently it was in the process of being painted a baby blue color. All my furniture had been pushed to one side of the room so it was kinda cramped.

The other side was covered with a painting tarp, primer, paintbrushes and multiple cans of baby blue paint. Half of the wall had been finished and it kinda looked sad unfinished like that.

Paint me, my wall cried, I want to be beautiful!  

Coming to a conclusion I hopped out of bed and threw on some sweats and a smock, both of which already had a mirage of colors wiped across them; before I could even pick up a paintbrush though I thought I heard my phone beep.

I dukes of hazarded my bed and scrounged through my bag until I found my phone. I looked at the caller ID and had to admit I was not in the least bit surprised.

6:01 [What r u doing?]

6: 01 [ What’s it to you? –AliceS96-- ]

6: 03 [ No need to b defensive, Im not giving u a task. Just curious.]

I stared at the text in bewilderment. I couldn’t decide if I thought this was weird or if there was an ulterior motive, so I proceeded with caution.

6: 05 [Oooook….–AliceS96-- ]

6: 05 [So what r u doing?]

6: 06 [If you must know, I’m painting my room. –AliceS96-- ]

It was beyond me why I had told him that, it had sorta just typed itself. Nothing prepared me for the next text though.

6: 09 [Need help? Bored, have nothing 2 do.] 

6: 10 [ Uuuuum, why? –AliceS96-- ]

6:10 [I told u, cause Im bored!]

6: 11 [FORGIVE ME IF I’M SUSPICIOUS! Jeez! –AliceS96-- ]

6: 13 [ So u need help or not?]

I was going to tell him where he could shove his offer when I thought of my plan of pay back. This could fit right into and I couldn’t just let it pass me by.

What you ask was my plan? Loooove of course. Love has been the cause of great nations and the ruination, it had built men up and tore them down. Men, who held much more power than Jordan McKinley.

I called it, Operation: Lovestruck. 

Pretty classy right?

6: 14 [Um, sure? –AliceS96-- ]

6: 14 [Rlly?]

6: 15 [Yes, really. Stupid. –AliceS96-- ]

I hurriedly texted him my address before I could change my mind. Clasping my eyes closed I called into the next room, “Mom! Can Jordan come over?!”

I heard my mom’s door open and footsteps coming to my room. She appeared at my door, leaned on the jamb and crossed her arms across her chest.

“The boy you were just telling me about?” She asked quizzically.

“Um, yeah. He wants to help me paint my room.” I tried to smile like I knew what I was saying but in all honesty I was still confused myself.

“Well…” She was hesitant. She’s never been worried about boys before but since I made such a big deal about him I guess she was cautious.

“He’s just going to help me paint my wall then I’ll kick him flat out on his butt, how’s that?” I saw humor in her eyes so I guess it kinda worked.

“You’ll be safe?

“Mom! It’s not going to turn out like that!” I was a little disgusted that my mom would immediately jump to that conclusion.

“I know, I know! But you can never be too sure! I’m just worried! You’ll be in the house alone with a boy and he might take advantage of you or something.”  This was such foreign ground to her that I could have seen it as humorous if she wasn’t being completely serious.

“Mom, I think I can take care of myself. I’m almost 18, if I can’t do that by now I guess I haven’t learned anything from you, huh?” I got up and hugged her. She wrapped me in her arms and stroked my hair. It always made me feel safe when she did that and it never failed to make me feel better.

“Alright,” She squeezed me then let go, “but I want to meet him first.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” I laughed.

“When’s he supposed to be he—“The doorbell rang and we both looked down at the door at the same time, “talk about great timing.” I looked at her and she looked at me and I saw the challenge in her eyes. Immediately, she shoved me back in my room and darted to the stairs laughing hysterically. I recovered quickly and hopped onto the banister grinning as I slid past her.

I didn’t account for the getting off part part. As I jumped off, my socks slid out from under me and I crashed to the ground where she jumped me easily. I looked at her in defeat as she patted her hair into place before opening the door.

I laughed at my own laugh when I thought about how ridiculous this must look; I on the ground laughing like a maniac, my mom standing there with a stupid, victorious grin on her face and half of her hair falling out of the rollers.

I have to admit Jordan took it all in stride. With a raised eye brow thrown my way he stuck out his hand to my mom, “Hi I’m Jor—“ He didn’t even finish his sentence before my mom pulled him into a hug.

“We don’t shake hands around here, silly! A friend of Alice is a friend of ours!” I could literally face palm myself in this moment. I saw my mom look at me over Jordan's back as she swung him around like a rag doll.

Oh my God! She mouthed He’s hoooooot!

I dragged myself off the floor and dusted off my butt.

“Mom, he’s going to get whiplash if you keep jerking him around like that.” Instantly, she released him with a smile.

“Hallo there, Jordan! I’m Alice’s mom! You can call me Emma or you could call me Mom but never Mrs. Hemmingway. That’s my mother-in-law!” Jeez, my mom could talk the ears off a dead person.

“Hi…mom? It’s nice to meet y—“  Jordan get the the chance to finish, the front door bust open and almost hit Jordan in the rear end. He jumped out of the way, shocked, just as my dad stomped in.

Good grief, it would never end.

“Honey! Alice brought a friend over! This is Jordan!” My mom threw her arms around my dad’s neck and kissed him; right there. In our foyer; in front of a complete stranger.

My dad was a tall man. He stood about 6’4” with broad shoulders and great muscles for a man his age. I mean, the man had to get custom made suits just to fit his shoulders and arms in. He was very handsome too with jet black hair and bright blue eyes; if I didn’t know my dad I would have thought he dyed his hair. But nooo, not my dad. My dad can’t wait to get grey hair because he thinks it’ll make him look like a man of the world, well-traveled and all the jazz.

My dad released my mom and planted a kiss right on her forehead.

“Ali-bug, your turn. Give Dad a hug!”

“Daaaaaad!” I whined shooting furtive glances at Jordan who was watching the whole display with open amusement.

“Alice, I don’t care if you have friends over! I’ve had a long day and it won’t be better unless I have hugs from my two favorite women in the world. Now get over here before I snatch you up!” 

I swear I could see Jordan snickering. Sighing is resignation I slouched over to dad and let him wrap me in a burly hug. I knew exactly how Jordan felt when my mom was swinging him about.

“Now, see, isn’t that better?” He lifted me up in a giant bear hug and covered my face in kisses.

“Daaaaaaaad!” I laughed, “Staaahhhhp!” I tried to shove away but he just squeezed me tighter.

“What do you say!? Say it!”

“Uncle! Uncle! I can’t breeeeathe!” His laugh rumbled in his chest as he sat me down.

“That’s my girl.” He patted me on my head like I was five and not a woman about to turn eighteen, “Now where’s this ‘Jordan’ character at.” His eyes roamed the foyer and noticed Jordan leaning against the banister. Jordan moved like he had the hounds of hell on his heels. Literally jumping the length of the foyer to shake my dad’s hand.

“I’m Jordan sir, I go to school with you daughter sir.”

“Oh God, stop with all the siring this and siring that! I get enough of that at work! Call me Emmet, which is my name after all.” He grabbed Jordan’s outstretched hand and pumping it twice all the while staring at him like he could see into his soul.

“You’re a good looking boy.” He finally said stepping back and eying him.

“Thank you…?”

“Do you have any weird or perverted intentions with my daughter?”

Jordan nearly choked on this. His eyes went wide and I’m positive he stopped breathing for a moment. I was horrified! I was never brining home another person again!

“Well? Do ya?” My dad interrogated him.

“Daaaaaad!”

“Honey this is my job. Let me do my job.” If I hadn’t seen the spark of mischief in his eye I would have sworn he was being serious. He face was deadpan. My mom grabbed my hand and winked playfully.

“U..u..uh, no..o Emmet, sir. Emmet.” Jordan finally stuttered out and I had to hide a snicker behind my mom’s shoulder.

“Are you sure.” My dad leaned super close to Jordan's face and posed the question. I heard his gulp noticeably.  

“Y..e...es Emmet, s…i…ir.” My dad stared at him a moment longer then laughed heartily, slapping Jordan on the back.  

“Alright. You pass,” He winked at me as he stepped around Jordan, “Come on honey, I need to freshen up before we get our Indian on.” He grabbed my moms hand and ran up the stairs.

“I am not completely sorry.” Jordan looked at me dazed then shook his head.

“Uh…wow?”

“They can be a bit much.” I crossed my arms and leaned against the closet door, daring him to say anything else.

“Are they always like that?”

“Always. Without fail.” I laughed and rolled my eyes at the ridiculousness.

“That’s awesome.” Was all he said, staring up the stairs where we could hear the music blaring.

“Take off your shoes and throw them in here. My mom just had the carpet shampooed.” I noticed that somehow in the time my dad had been standing here, he had slipped out of his shoes and covertly pushed them towards the closet. He was good. Very, very good. I hadn’t even noticed. I picked them up and set them in the closet where he could find them when he left.

Jordan chucked his shoes unceremoniously onto the pile inside. I shrugged, who was I to judge? The scuff marks on the opposite wall were from my shoes alone.

“We should probably get something to drink because we’ll be busy for a while. Are you thirsty?” I said leading him through an archway into the living room which lead to the kitchen.

Ever seen the Emeril live TV show on Food Network? Well, that’s where my mom got the inspiration for our kitchen. For a family that was not even remotely Italian this was a very Italian kitchen. With a brick focus wall and a brick back plash behind the countertops, it gave off a very ‘homey’ type of feel. We even had a pizza over. I mean, who has a pizza oven in their kitchen? Apparently, we do.

I opened the double door fridge and pulled out some smart waters. I threw one at Jordan which he caught.

“This is one hell of a kitchen.” He stated looking around.

“Yeah, well, my mom dabbles in interior design and insisted on having this kitchen installed. Said the ‘chi of the house would be all wrong’ if she didn’t have it.”

“The ‘chi’?

“She’s a nuttcase.”

“I like her.” He laughed. I wasn’t sure how to take that so I just ignored it.

“Alright, let’s go! We have a lot of painting to do.” I walked out of the kitchen grabbing the back of his shirt and pulling him after me, effectively ending that little session. I suppose it wasn’t in the best interest of my plan but it was def in the best interest of my sanity.