Chapter 10

I get up out of bed at 10 AM-much later than usual-and head to the bathroom to take a shower; everybody's up already so it's not like noise is a problem. While freshening up, I take time to remind myself just where I am. I still can't believe that I stayed the night at my parents. After the shower, I get dressed and head downstairs to the kitchen, where my parents are eating breakfast. My eyes light up at what's been made: sausages, eggs, bacon, hash browns, and a whole whack of other stuff.
"Good morning," mom says when she sees me walk in. "Are you hungry?"
"Morning," I say. "I'm starving."
I haven't had a big breakfast like this in a long time. Usually, I have cereal, but sometimes Rick takes me out; not often, though. I don't think that I've actually had a breakfast like this since I moved out.
"How did you sleep?" Mike asks.
"I slept well," I tell him as I make myself a plate. "It's good to be home. I miss my room."
"We always knew you'd come back, honey," mom says. "That's why we didn't change it."
She sees what I'm wearing.
"You're wearing the same outfit?" she asks.
"Yeah," I tell her. "I didn't bring a change of clothes; I don't know why."
"It's okay," she says. "You're going home soon, right?"
"Actually, I was hoping that we could spend the day together, if that's okay with you. I can go home later on tonight."
"Sure, honey. What would you like to do?"
"Maybe we could do lunch and a movie, how does that sound?"
"That sounds fine," she says.
After breakfast, I head to my room to relax. I turn on the TV and pop in Rain Man, which is one of my favorite movies. Honestly, I'd have to say that it's one of Dustan Hoffman's best. Noon comes quickly and mom opens my bedroom door. I'm listening to music.
"Ready to go, honey?"
I nod. We head outside to mom's car, and drive to Applebee's.
We get into the restaurant and order. Mom speaks first after the waitress leaves.
"So, what movie did you want to see?" She asks.
"I was thinking Iron Man 2," I say. "It looks good. Is that okay with you?"
"That's fine," she says. "Whatever you decide will be fine."
I want to tell her; I want to tell her everything that's been going on, but I can't, I just can't. If I do, I know that she won't let me stay with him.
"What's bothering you, Fern?" mom asks after twenty minutes.
How do mothers know when you're upset? It's like they have a radar or something.
"It's Rick," I say. "I feel as if we're drifting apart."
"How so?"
"We've been arguing a lot, like I said and we're just not doing the same things that we used to do. We went on a date a few weeks ago, but we aren't really that romantic anymore. It's like the spark's dying out."
"Why don't you try taking initiative?"
"I have, mom. I've been having sex with him to try to bring us closer together."
"Then maybe sex isn't the answer," she says. "There's more to a relationship than sex."
"I know, mom."
"Do you? Honey, why do you want to be with him?"
"I want to be with him because I love him."
"Why do you love him?" She asks
"I love him because he does so much for me. He helps me out when I'm feeling down. He's been through everything with me, and if I lost him, I don't know what I would do. He's always been there for me when I needed him. We always have fun when we go out. It's like we really click."
"Maybe he's the one," she says.
"I hope so," I say, "because if he isn't then this is just a huge waste of time."
"Honey, it isn't a waste of time. Sometimes people fall in and out of love, but that doesn't mean that it's a waste of time. There's a reason for everything; take the relationship with your father and I for example. We had some differences, and that's why we didn't stay together, but if we didn't get married, then we wouldn't have had you. I don't think that I could ever imagine a world where I didn't have you."
"Maybe you're right."
"I know I'm right, Fern. Maybe you're in this situation because you need to have the opportunity to make your own decisions; you need to do what's right for you. You needed to move out of the house to see if you could do things on your own."
"And now I regret it," I tell her.
"We all make decisions we regret later, Fern. When you make those decisions, you have to learn from them and not make them again."
I smile; she's right. I wish I could move back, but I can't leave Rick; I just can't.
"If anything happens between you and your boyfriend," she says, "come straight to us. We'll help you no matter what."
It's like she can read my mind. Why did I ever leave home?
We finish lunch and then head to the movie; it's pretty good. When we finish, mom takes me home. I spend the rest of the day with her, finishing off with dinner. I need to know one more thing before I leave.
"Mom," I say as I finish up my meal, "I know what we said earlier, but I still need some relationship advice. Mike, maybe you could help me."
"Sure thing," he says, "how can I help?"
"Well, as I've told you before, mom, I feel that Rick and I are drifting apart. I've been trying to take initiative, but nothing seems to work."
"Well, you know what I like best about my relationship with your mother, Fern?"
"What?" I ask.
"I like the fact that the little things are what matters most. Your mother and I always try to do some little thing every week, whether it's watching a movie or going for a walk. Maybe you should try to do something small for him that would make him smile."
And then I get a great idea.
"Thanks Mike. I know what I need to do know," I say.
"Can we know what it is?" he asks.
"Not yet. I'll let you know later."
I have to do this as soon as possible. I'm excited; I can't wait. When Rick picks me up, I say goodbye to my parents. I climb into the passenger seat and kiss him on the cheek.
"Did you have a good time?" he asks.
I nod.
"It was a good idea coming here."
"Are your parents still arguing?"
I shake my head.
"Everything seems to be much better; maybe the next time I come over to the house, you can come with me."
"Sure," he says.
I smile a foolish grin; he spots it.
"What's that look for?" he asks.
"Nothing," I say.
"Come on, what is it?"
"You'll find out later."
"Can't wait," he says, and puts an arm around my shoulder.
"I've missed you."
"I've missed you, too. On Saturday, I've got a little surprise for you."
"Will I like it?" he asks.
"Trust me, you'll love it."
He smiles. I love riding with him; especially at night, when he turns the radio on and plays soothing music. I feel a sense of comfort that I haven't felt in a long time; it's like everything is alright. I don't need to worry anymore