CHAPTER FOUR
The engagement–we decided– would be four months long. Jack, probably, because he wanted us to be married as soon as possible. I, however, wanted a short engagement, because truthfully, I just wanted to get the wedding over with. Don't get me wrong, I was excited. And happy. Very happy. Jack was a good man and he treated me right. But my pre-wedding jitters had gotten the best of me and I didn't want any time to turn back.
The doorbell rang.
"Its open!" I shouted.
"Hey, baby," I heard my fiancé's voice tell me.
"Hi, Jack, I'm in here," I called out from the small kitchen of Gina's and my apartment.
I felt his strong arms wrap around my waist, giggled, and turned around.
"What brings you here?" I asked coyly.
"What, can't a man stop by and visit his future bride?"
"He most certainly can," I murmered in my most seductive voice.
This caused him to dip his fingers into my hair and pull my head up to his, laying a deep kiss on me.
"Now is that why you came all the way down here, to kiss me?"
"Actually, sweetheart, I came here to ask you...did you tell them yet?"
I didn't have to ask who "they"were.
"Um, well, not yet. But I promise, I was just about to"
"Oh, come on Suze. We're getting married! You have to tell your family eventually!"
"Baby, I know...its just, its been so long..."
"Suze, you have to call them. Now."
"Now?"
"Now," Jack said, handing me the phone.
I swallowed.
I hadn't spoken to my parents since I moved to New York. I'd made an effort to cut myself off from Carmel and all the memories that had created there that still haunted me. Besides, my parents and I hadn't exactly been on the best of terms when I left Carmel. I had pretty much become a screw up, and my mom and I's relationship sort of dissinigrated.
But everyday, I'd tell myself that I'd call them and patch things up. But how can you just go waltzing back into the lives of people you abandoned so many years ago?
I hadn't been there for David all through his teen years. He'd grown up without me I could never give him advice about dating, or girls, or anything. He was a man now and he got there by himself.
Brad might be in college now, or engaged like me. Probably to some slutty bimbo.
Jake might be married and expecting,
My family's life had gone by without me. But Jack was right. I had to tell them. What choice did I have?
I shakily took the phone from his hand, and after pausing a moment to remember the digits, then dialed the number of my old home.
"Hello, Ackerman residence." I heard my cheery stepfather's voice say.
"Um, hi Andy...its me"
There was a moment of silence.
"Suze?" he asked, as if he couldn't quite believe his ears.
"Yup, its me, Suze," I said nervously.
"Oh, honey. Its so great to hear from you!"
Relief washed over me.
"I missed you so much!"
"We've missed you two. How have you been?"
"Great," I said. "How's everyone?"
"They're good. What's the occasion?"
"Occasion?"
"For you calling?"
"Oh, well, um...I called to tell you that I'm getting...I'm engaged."
"Engaged!" Andy asked, shocked.
"Yeah, to this really nice guy names Jack DiCaprio. I think you'd really like him. He's tall and has a car and is really responsible, you'd really like him, I think..." I rambled nervously.
"You know what, Suze? Why don't I put your mother on? Congradulations, by the way"
"Helen!" I heard Andy call.
"What?"
"Phone for you!"
"Who is it?"
Andy paused. "Your daughter"
"Suze is on the phone?" my mom asked in a tone of disbelief.
"Susie?" my mom said into the reciever.
"Mommy!" I wailed.
"Oh, Susie, I've missed you so much. Why didn't you call? Is everything alright?"
"I'm sorry, mom. I'm sorry I've been such a terrible daughter–"
My mom cut me off. "Sweetie, don't say that."
"Really mom, I'm awful. I'm the worst daughter that ever lived."
"Suze, don't say things like that about yourself. I'm just glad you called. Why are you calling, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I have something to tell you."
"Okay, shoot"
"Mom, please don't freak out, but–"
"OH MY GOD! Suze, are you pregnant!"
"No, mom! I'm not pregnant. I'm...engaged."
"Engaged? Honey, that's wonderful! I'm so glad you're finally happy! You are happy, aren't you?"
"I'm very happy."
"Oh, that's so great to hear! What's his name?"
"Jack DiCaprio"
"What's he like?"
"Tall, handsome, funny. I love him so much."
"That's great, Suze. I'm so happy for you. Now when do we get to meet this young man?"
"Well, I'm not sure when–"
"I know! You two can come down here for a week and we can all get to know eachother!"
"Mom, I don't really think that's–"
"No, Suze. I insist. I'll pay for the tickets, I know college students don't make much money."
"You don't have to do that"
"Suze," my mom said in a stern voice. "If you're trying to keep us from meeting this boy, its not going to work"
"I'm not trying to keep you from meeting him," I said.
"Okay then"
"And mom? I love you."
"I love you too, honey. bye."
I hung up the phone and turned to Jack.
"I guess we're going to Carmel"
