O4.
Maree
I smoothed out my blue velvet dress before slipping into my flats. I would've worn heels but that would be doing too much. Plus, my mom wouldn't approve. Doing a full spin, I observed myself in the full mirror. Not half bad. While I was fixing my curly lion's mane, I heard the doorbell sound throughout the house. That must be Chris.
I was torn between bringing my cell phone or leaving it upstairs. I chose the more appropriate option and left it. Once I heard his deep voice, I knew that Chris had arrived. I walked out of my room, making immediate eye contact with him from the top of the stairs. When it comes to dressing formally, Chris is spectacular at it. He wore a black button up, dark jeans, and some black shoes. Although the outfit was simple, it had a touch of sophistication in it.
"Hey, Chris." I smiled, extending my arms for a hug. The surprise on his face from my invitation couldn't go unseen. With small hesitation, he gave me a tight hug. We stayed like this for about five seconds. My mother cleared her throat, making reality set it. An awkward silence filled the foyer before I broke it.
"Well, let's not wait here while the food gets cold. Come on." I chuckled nervously. My mother did the same but I knew that that hug between Chris and I was going to be the topic of discussion once he leaves. I don't even know why we stayed like that for so long. Even with all of these confusing thoughts lingering about in my mind, I didn't have an ounce of regret. It felt good to hug Chris.
While my mother was in the kitchen checking on dinner, Chris pulled out my seat for me. I sent him a small thank you before sitting down. Once I assured him that I was comfortable, he took his side to the left of me.
"You look stunning, Maree." he smiled, showing off his pearly whites. I blushed slightly at his kind words.
"Thank you. You look very handsome yourself." I grinned.
"I try." he replied. We held our gaze with each other for a bit until the clicking of my mother's heels entered the dining room. She stood before us, placing down our silverware for the night.
"Maybe you didn't know this but I'm a yoga instructor. Eating healthy is my life but when I must, I can cook some unhealthy things, considering the sweets that I made earlier. Tonight, I decided to take unhealthy foods and give them a healthier kick. I made macaroni and cheese, baked chicken, a small salad, mashed potatoes and gravy. I know it seems all over the place but we needed a variety." she smiled.
"That all sounds wonderful, Ms. Rose. I like that you decided to take a healthy approach to making dinner. I don't know the meaning of a diet so let's see how this goes." he chuckled, earning a laugh from my mother and I. She disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Chris and I alone once again.
"Your mom seems nice, considering this is the first time I really met her." Chris shrugged.
"She can be nice. Trust me, she's not like this all of the time." I giggled, but was serious about my words. My mom that's type of woman that's really sweet but will throw a temper tantrum when she doesn't get her way.
My mom walked back into the kitchen, bringing the food with her. Chris took it upon himself to get up and help her with the rest of the dishes. I smiled at how kind and generous he is. There aren't many guys like him still around. Once they were seated, the feasting began.
Chris
"This is delicious, Ms. Rose. You did a splendid job, honestly." I chuckled, eating another forkful of the macaroni and cheese. I must admit, this whole healthy touch to the meal was good, considering the fact that it didn't taste healthy at all.
"Aww, thank you, Chris." she smiled.
"No problem." I grinned. A comfortable silence filled the room while we enjoyed our meal. The only audible noise was that of the clicking silverware and our chewing.
"So, Chris, where do you work?" Perri asked. I swallowed the food in my mouth before scratching the side of my head.
"Currently, I'm out of work. I mean, I sell my art on a occasion. Since I just moved here, it's been a little complex to get a job. Plus, I'm going through Med school so it's hard to balance both." I explained. She nodded slowly, taking in my words. I knew that face all too well. The uncertainty, the quietness. She was judging me.
"You should let me see your art sometime." Maree smiled. No one, except for the buyers, has ever seen my artwork. I've never let a friend see any of it because well, I don't have any friends. Mike's seen a gist of what I can do with a spray can but nothing more.
"Uh, one day. I'm conservative when it comes to my art. It's kind of a release mechanism. You know, a better method to show my emotions. I'm not the best with situations that pressure me." I chuckled lightly.
"What do you mean?" Perri asked.
"I tend to be hot headed. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was twelve. It went untreated for a while because my mother thought I was acting out for attention. That period of time worsened my disorder and it became unbearable. Art and my medication, of course, keep me sane." I answered. The room stayed silent as they contemplated who was going to say the next word.
"Is this why you take such an interest in psychiatry?" Maree asked. I nodded and took a sip from my glass.
"Like I stated earlier, my mother didn't think that behavior like that was mental. I did. I knew something was wrong with me. That motivated me to do research and want to help people like that, who are struggling. It's not an easy thing to accept. You feel apart from society. I know that first hand so who's better to help people like that than me?" I explained.
"Why can't you just take the meds and call it a day? I mean, the pills are there to make you feel better. I don't see the struggle behind it. I honestly don't." Perri chuckled. I clenched my jaw at her ignorance. Not to be rude, but she's fucking one sided. Just like my mother.
"Actually, not everyone is going to want to take medication. They will still feel like a pariah no matter what because not everyone in the world has to wake up and pop pills. With that knowledge, that sends some people into a deep depression. Then there's the others who are paranoid and think the medication will hurt them. They refuse to take it and then worsen their problem. With all due respect Ms. Rose, you need to be more open minded. You only think that way because you haven't even tried to learn about people with mental disorders. You probably don't even care." I argued.
"Well, Mister. I don't really know, it's all logical. Do you really think that a hospital will prescribe you something that would potentially harm you? They're there to help. As for the others, why would someone else's opinion of you matter? You know that this has to be done for your sake so why have irrelevant people affect your health?" she retaliated. I sighed deeply and felt my anger building up. This is getting too intense for my liking. I have a point and I am going to prove it.
Maree
I honestly don't know how this evolved into an argument. I watched as they ping-ponged their points back and forth. This was like a roundtable discussion about mental health. Chris' aggravation with my mother can be sensed in his tone. I completely understood why he was behaving this way. My mother was just like he had described his. Everything was coherent and straightforward with my these women.
"You know what? Fuck it. I'm obviously arguing with an uneducated person. Thanks for the fuckin' dinner." Chris gritted, making my mother gasp at his harshness. As she sat there dumbfounded, I chased after Chris. He was already out the door and to the middle of the culdesac.
"Chris, stop!" I exclaimed, making him come to a halt. After finally catching up to him, I grabbed his arm and walked us to his front porch.
"I'm sorry you had to see me like that. I'm more so sorry about disrespecting your mother like that. I was just heated and she wasn't making any damn sense." he furrowed his bushy eyebrows together.
"It's fine, Chris. I know you're upset. The argument should have never even escalated to that level in the first place. It's not all your fault." I replied calmly. He looked up from the ground and into my eyes.
"Thanks, Maree. You're just so understanding and soothing. It's surprising that you're sixteen." he chuckled, stuffing his hands in his pocket.
"I try to be. Good night, Chris. I'll see you tomorrow?" I questioned with hope. I wanted to hang out with him a little more.
"Yes, most definitely. Good night, Maree." he grinned, placing his hand on the doorknob to his home. I waved and turned on my heels. It may sound crazy but I'm beginning to like Chris.
Perri
"That man is so disrespectful and rude. That is the last time that I go out of my way for someone else." I fumed, throwing the dishes into the sink. Maree just stared at me with a blank expression.
"Mom, relax. You knew how much this medical stuff meant to him by what he said and you still pounced on him like that. I never though I would have to say this but I'm disappointed in you. He was wrong too but you started it." she sighed, shaking her head at me.
"Ree, the man disrespected me in my own home. Even after, I made him dinner. Not to mention, the desserts that we baked for him. You're willing to go against me after all of that?" I scoffed.
"Ma, you're behaving like a child! I'm not 'going against' you. Chris and I are friends and I've learned so much about him today. He doesn't do well with being judged, he doesn't feel supported on his decisions, and he's always alone. He hides from the world because of people like you." she said, playing with the hem of her skirt.
"People like me? I didn't judge him. There were just a few things that I didn't approve of. For example, he's jobless. That's not something to praise. With all those tattoos and the blonde hair, I wouldn't be surprised if he was some type of drug dealer!" I shouted.
"Mom, that's enough. I'm done. You are judging him! Chris is a great guy with a great personality. If only you can see that. Then again, I don't care what you see because I see it." she grumbled.
"Why do you care so much? Speaking of which, what was the hug that you guys shared? That didn't seem like a 'friendly' hug to me." I argued, putting air quotes around the word friendly.
"It was a simple hug that was extended. It's not like we were kissing. Chill." she gritted, walking up the stairs. Sighing, I went to finish cleaning up the food from tonight's wonderful dinner. Sarcasm intended. I initially thought I was going to like Chris.