My face contorts into something unfriendly and unattractive. "Wh-what...?" I splutter, resembling that of a mouse pilfering cheese. "What are you guys doing here? We haven't talked to each other in weeks."

So why appear in front of me now!? My mind screams.

I'm panicking! Oh, I am so panicking! This is even worse than the time when Rebecca was here. No!-when Jack and Nadir were here! No, wrong again; this is worse than those two events combined!

My parents don't know about Erik. They certainly don't know about Jack. And they don't know I'm keeping my pregnancy a secret.

And they are, no doubt, still unequivocally upset with me.

I clear my throat, hoping that would purify the gloomy aura my parents are exuding. Mom looks cross and vexed, Dad just looks...disappointed.

What a combo.

Dad sighs. "Your mother decided that-oof!" Dad keels over, suddenly breathless. I saw what happened: Mom elbowed Dad, evidently making him shut up so he could refrain from completing that sentence. In other words, her pride wouldn't, and won't, allow him admit that this was her idea. "We-" Dad wheezes, "-we decided that we needed to talk. To you."

Smooth…

"Well, this really isn't the time," I hiss. "If you wanted to stop by you should've called first."

"Nonsense; there's always time for your parents to come by unannounced." Mom waves off my words and walks right on in. Dad follows after her.

Oh, Lord, I pray. I roll my eyes. Dad has never had a backbone when it came to standing up against Mom. And Mom, who is as stubborn as an ox, is not to be reasoned with under any circumstances.

"Guys," I beseech, "I'm serious. This needs to be done another time." I wave my arm at the door, cueing their exit.

"Honey, we are going to talk whether you like it or not. So shut that door!" Mom demands.

I don't move from my spot. Mom and I have a stare-down. Dad kicks at the floor, clearly uncomfortable at the tension filling the room. The spell is broken when we hear the toilet flush.

I purse my lips. Mom and Dad share a confused look before turning back to me.

"Is there someone here?" Dad asks.

"Is it Jack?!" Mom asks excitedly.

"Yes and no," I answer. "Now, please leave!"

"So what should we do now, Amy...?" Erik enters the living room, stalling when he sees my parents. His brows furrow. "May I enquire…who are you?"

"Who are you?" Mom counters back.

I'm dead meat. I'm dead meat. I'm dead meat. I'm dead meat. I'm dead meat. I discreetly swipe my palms against my pants.

Shutting the door, I realize there is nothing that can be done to abate this situation. My evening is ominous and destined for failure; my relationship is at fortuitous risk.

I sigh. "This is Erik Destler. Erik...this is Mr. and Mrs. Stein-my parents."

Erik's eyes widen, stunned. "I didn't know they were coming."

"It was a spontaneous visit," Mom supplies.

It was a rude visit...

She throws out her hand in offer of a handshake. I can see her eyes clandestinely eye his mask. She's curious, but she's keeping etiquette by avoiding the obvious. "I'm Tracy Stein. This is my husband, George Stein."

"Erik Destler." Erik takes her hand tentatively. I can tell by his body language that he knows of her curious eye, and it's making him self-conscious.

Dad is probably taking in his share of the mask as well.

My parents are just like everyone else. The revelation disappoints me.

"Um...I made some eggplant parmesan...would you like some?" I ask my parents.

Dad rubs his stomach. "Sounds great, sweetheart."

Mom raises a brow at me, still hostile.

Erik greets me with a curious brow.

"Okay," I reply, walking to the kitchen.

"I'll help you," Erik says. He probably wants to get away from the lingering eyes and the tension.

I don't blame him.

Once in the kitchen, Erik catches me serving a slice of eggplant onto two plates.

"They really made a surprise visit," he comments.

I nod, a little irked. "That's the understatement of the century."

"And that's a hyperbole," Erik jokes, trying to lighten the mood. I give him a look. Seeing my grim expression, Erik takes two steps closer to me. Sympathy laces his voice, "Is it my imagination or is there some hostility in the room?"

I sigh. "Let's just say my parents and I aren't on good terms right now."

"Oh, okay. And...um..." Erik takes a breath. His hands place themselves on my arms while his chin rests on top of my shoulder. I can feel his chest curve against my back. "Why does it appear that they don't know who I am? Or who I am to you?"

Visibly wincing, I stop my ministrations. "Erik, I know we haven't talked much about meeting each other's families..." I freeze, "-that's besides the point. My problem with them started a little before you and I got together."

Erik is quick to recognize the situation. "They don't know we're together, do they?"

I shake my head. I can't look at him. I know he's hurt by it-I can hear it in his voice. "No."

The kitchen is quiet for a moment. I can feel my shame build more and more impressive by the minute. It's almost about to overflow and conquer my other emotions.

I need to apologize, to explain. "Erik-"

The door opens and Erik rips apart from me. My heart tears. A bond between us is broken, and it's all my fault.

"Is that dinner?" Dad asks, oblivious to the atmosphere of the room. "Smells delicious."

I force a smile and turn around, "Yes." I pick up the two plates. "Meet you in the kitchen?" I walk out with Dad, ignoring Erik.

I really don't want to see his face. I don't think I can take the emotional blow.

Mom is sitting at the table, looking refined and cold. Dad sits next to her. I lay their plates in front of them without saying a word. Erik, eventually, eases out of the kitchen and sits next to me; we both sit in silence, staring at my parents.

Despite what's going on, I'm glad he's sitting next to me.

Mom looks at her plate, her hands clasped together. "No forks?"

She can be such a baby when she's angry.

Dad places a hand on Mom's arm, trying to pacify her.

I sigh. It's no use arguing. "I'll be right back." I retrieve two forks from the kitchen, and place them down onto the table.

"Thanks, sweetheart," Dad says. Mom 'humphs' and I 'phhft', exaggeratedly annoyed at her attitude.

Mom takes a teensy bite of food. "How's Jack, honey?"

I stop breathing. This is going to be so bad!

"I...I don't really know," I answer truthfully.

"Well, why not?" she asks. "Oh, I hope he is doing well. He is such a dear boy; very polite and friendly."

This is so horrible. Poor Erik! I'm so embarrassed.

My hands folded into my lap, I dare myself to look at Erik. He looks miserable. I can't take this. This is completely unfair to Erik. I won't keep this quiet any longer. I forbid it! I will justify this situation, and redeem myself as his girlfriend!

I slowly look up from the table to my mom, who is digging her fork into the eggplant parmesan.

"Jack and I aren't together anymore," I declare sternly.

Mom stops eating. Dad chokes on his food.