I was going to be meeting up with Kaleb's mom tonight and to put it lightly I was a bit nervous but mostly excited.
Kaleb had told me such good things about her this past week while his friends verified his speech. There was a sense of pure-hearted verisimilitude in the way he spoke while his friends finished off his sentences about her. Overall she seemed like a well-rounded, spectacular individual and I've always loved meeting kindred spirits.
It was only morning time but I was racking my brain trying to think of an outfit for tonight while I work out on the treadmill.
"Hey cheesecake," squealed Maija as she passed by the gym to set down her bags yes BAGS in my room. At this rate, I wondered how she hadn't moved in yet.
She had come over to help me get ready tonight and Maija being Maija brought along two overnight bags. I guess she'd be staying for longer than tonight.
"Hey Mai" I respond as she returns in gym clothes. Taking in her attire I ask, "You work out?" not that she is overweight like, the complete opposite, in fact, she's quite slender, but for the past two months I've known her I've observed that she is quite lazy.
She feigns hurt and responds, "Don't judge a book by its cover. I'm a four-time international swim champ." she removes her t-shirt revealing a neon sports bra trailed by the faint outline of abs I've never taken time to look for before that disappear behind the 'V' hidden behind her tights.
She sees me starring and blushes slightly turning away from me towards another piece of workout equipment. "Take a picture Toffee and hang it up here."
Me being myself, "I just might." I wink as she turns towards me.
She blushes and I laugh.
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After what seems like hours of arguing back and forth. Maija and I finally decide on what I'm wearing.
She wants me to wear a short and sexy dress while I want to wear something short yet conservative. This is the first time meeting the boy I like's mom, I don't want to give off the wrong impression but I also don't want to go in something that's not me.
Obviously, since I'm the one wearing the fit she finally relents and lets me pick my desired outfit choice on the conditions of her having full liberty to do my hair and makeup however she pleases. She is so demanding.
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This was it. Staring at myself in the rearview mirror, I touched up my makeup and stepped out of the car. It was a marvelous mansion. Looking at it reminded me of back home and I felt a slight sadness wash over me. I would have never guessed Kaleb was so wealthy as he is one of the humblest people I have met, but then again so am I.
I decided to park to the side of the driveway so I could get in a short walk to get rid of the tiny bit of nerves. As I reached the door, I didn't even have time to ring the bell before the massive doors open and I was welcomed by Kaleb's massive grin.
"Well, you looking dashing m'lady." Kaleb drawled, his smile never fading. And just like that, the nerves were gone as a smile now latched onto my face. Kaleb had that aura about him, almost like he could share his joy with those around him. I loved it.
"Thank you, you clean up nicely yourself. Oh my, did you bathe?" I joke.
"Of course I did. Only the best for m'lady. " we laughed.
He led me to the dining hall where at the head was seated a beautiful middle-aged woman. It was like I was staring at a slightly older version of a Barbie doll, but most importantly she looked familiar. I stood in awe for a minute before Kaleb nudged me.
"It's rude to stare," an amused expression adorned his face.
I walked up to Kaleb's mother and stretched my hand. She looked at it as if it was a foreign object then pulled me down and embraced me in a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around her also, taking notice of her wheelchair and being as gentle as possible.
"You're even more beautiful than he described."
We were all situated at the head of the table making light conversation about school when food began being served. The table itself was extremely long, (not even kidding it could fit like fifty people). With this type of table, I thought it would be filled with all sorts of intimidating foods but what was placed before us was only a mouth-watering lasagna, a tray of roasted corn on the cob, and a platter of what looked to be fried broccoli. I eyed the latter skeptically.
Kaleb's mom being observant as ever caught my subtle nose grimace towards the fried broccoli and let out a laugh.
"It's not as bad as it looks. Go on," he nudged me slightly, "give it a try. I bet you 50 bucks you love it and if you don't I'll give you 100," he smirked.
'Well I do love money,' I thought to myself. He chuckled, 'I guess I said that out loud, didn't I.'
I hesitantly place two pieces of broccoli on my plate, just to not seem rude and I immediately decide to eat it first so I can enjoy the actually good food later. I place the broccoli into my mouth and beginning chewing quickly trying to get this over with, but as soon as the flavors hit my pallette I quickly had to refrain from letting out an audible moan. How does one even make fried broccoli this good, what the actual fuck? I quickly looked up to Kaleb only to see him and his mom suppressing their amusement at my reaction. I quickly remove the corn from my plate and pile on more fried broccoli.
"I guess you owe me fifty bucks."
"So Ella where are you from, Kaleb has spoken a lot about you so I know you just moved barely a few months ago."
"Wow, way to make me look like a creep" Kaleb mumbled to himself though I still heard him.
I chuckled a bit, finishing off the last of my fried broccoli before responding, "I'm from San Diego."
"wow, really, we're from there too, although we moved when Kaleb was much younger. If I'm not prying, why did you move?"
feeling like this conversation was getting a bit too personal I decided not to delve into the gory details and give a half-lie, "well my mom and I needed a change of pace and we have a bit more family who lives near here."
"Wow seems like you and your mom are exactly like us, we're even both from San Diego."
"You might even know her, She's a social butterfly so you might have met her name's Beatrice -Montgomery."
As the words left my mouth I saw it in slow motion as recognition flowed over her features and all color drained from her face.
"Kelab Demar, get this girl out of my house before I scream!" no one moved, everyone was confused especially me. "GET HER OUT! GET HER OUT! GET HER OUT-" she began screaming and wiping her hand over her eyes repeatedly. She was having a panic attack. Kaleb shot me an apologetic look to which I acknowledged with a nod.
I left the house in complete confusion.