Who We Are
Chapter 4
Jumping up and out of my seat in the living room. Trying to calm my nerves as I walk to the front door. Thankfully my parents are to wrapped in their own conversation to notice the doorbell has been ringing for the past 10 minutes. I open it slowly look and smile. He's right on time. Looking put together and strong. That smile he has on his face. Makes me absolutely giddy I could practically jump around the room.
"You look beautiful." He whispers in ear. Walking further inside our house. As I take my hand in his.
"You look really good." I lock eyes with him. Leaning over kissing him quickly. Hearing the upcoming footsteps and grumbling of my parents coming towards us from the next room.
"At last we're meeting you. The young man Haley has down nothing but inform us on for days now." Lydia said. Staring from Haley to Nathan.
Nathan smiled looking over at Haley. "Knowing Haley, she's probably made me sound way better than I actually am. I appreciate you and your husband having me over for dinner tonight. Your home is incredible." "Nathan Scott." Nathan said. Extending his hand to the woman.
"Dinner should be ready now. Let's not prolong this evening." Lydia said. Ignoring his gesture. Turning to Haley. Then her husband.
The couple began walking ahead. From the front entrance to the dining room.
Haley turned to Nathan. "I'm sorry. My mom is I can't think of an excuse for her. You've been a few seconds and I'm already embarrassed." Haley said. Looking away.
Nathan put his hand on her face. So, their eyes were locked on each other. "It's alright Hales. Let's just enjoy dinner. Forget about it." Nathan said. Smiling up at her.
Leading the way from the entry way of the home to the dining area.
…
Haley woke up to the sound of knocking at her bedroom door.
She got out of bed and put on her slippers. Then opened the door to her bedroom. To find her sister looking back at her.
"That wasn't exactly the wakeup call I was expecting. I thought I wouldn't be seeing you until sometime in the afternoon. Remember the trips we used to take with mom and dad growing up. You were always the last one up." Haley said. With a smile. A wave of nostalgia over taking her.
"That was another lifetime ago. And It takes me awhile before I can get comfortable enough to sleep anywhere. So how long can I stay.?" Taylor asked. Looking up at Haley.
"As long as you need to. I got the basic information from mom. I would like to get any more details that your willing to share. The last time we saw each other. Things between the two of you seemed to be going in a positive direction." Haley said. As she started walking out of the doorway. Then through the hallway. On the way down the stairs.
"Yea we certainly put on a show. What you didn't see is the jerk of a guy he was and the fact that he didn't want me to work and the multiple times he stole my car keys so I couldn't drive and had to rely on him to go anywhere. Mom was practically fishing for a wedding date and place to have the reception." Taylor said. Following behind Haley. Reaching the last step. Stepping down and walking towards the kitchen. Where she sat down at the kitchen table.
"I'm sorry Tay. I wish you would have told me. Or any of us. Regardless of our issues we would have been there for you." Haley said. Putting her hand in Taylor's.
"I dealt with it like I deal with everything else. By myself. Being the mess in the family has its upsides. No one ever gets disappointed. I just didn't want to see that look on mom's face again. And the way dad doesn't say anything which only makes me feel worse." Taylor said. Looking back at her.
"None of us honestly see you that way. You aren't the only one who has ever made mistakes. Or done things they've regret. Me included." Haley said. Getting out of her seat. Going to the fridge.
"Pancakes or waffles.?" Haley asked. Looking over at Taylor.
"Eggs and bacon. With coffee." Taylor said. Looking back at her.
"I'll focus on the food. You do the coffee." Haley said. As she opened the fridge. Getting out the carton of eggs and the package of bacon placing them on the counter.
While Taylor dug around the cupboards finding the back of coffee then turned on the coffee maker pouring in the powder and adding the water. The aroma filling the entire kitchen.
The food taking some time to cook. The coffee brewed and sisters sat comfortably in their silence. The distance in their relationship becoming more apparent as time went on.
Eventually the eggs and bacon finished cooking. Haley put some of each food items on the two plates. As Taylor got out two mugs and poured coffee into both. The two women sitting next to each other.
Beginning to eat. They make small talk while they eat. Time goes on. Once the meal is almost over. Haley takes one last sip of her coffee. Before she turns to Taylor.
"Last night I had stopped by the Karen's café. Wanting to check it out get a sense of the town and why it was such a staple here. I got a table with a window seat and just felt instantly included. The waiter brought over my menu and when I locked eyes with the other person. I couldn't breathe. It wasn't just some random face. It was Nathan Scott." Haley said. Trying to gain control over the emotions she felt. Only saying his name brought so much to the surface.
"Wow what was that like.?" Taylor asked. Looking over at her.
"Shocking, I was completely caught off guard and all I wanted was answers. That he didn't end up giving me. Not here not now. Are the first words back he said to me. Then that mom and dad were right and that he wasn't good enough for me." "It was then that I felt defensive and protective. As if I was still that 17-year-old girl who was so in love with him." Haley said.
"That was so long ago. A lot has changed since then. I'm sure you are beyond over that guy by now." Taylor said. With a smile. Getting up taking their dishes to the sink.
Haley looked up. Thinking of the tattoo she had on her body. That was a visible reminder of their time together.
"It's not that easy to just stop loving someone." Haley said in response. Hearing the shut of the guest room door. Realizing Taylor hadn't heard a word she said. And that she was truly alone.
…