“What the hell was that out there?” Paula’s voice frightened Amy, as she wasn’t expecting to see her mom awake in the living room.
“Mom, I-I- I thought you’re asleep” She stuttered.
“That doesn’t answer my question, Amy” There was anger in her mom’s voice, Amy could tell, even though she was trying to sound calm.
“Bryan was your date?!” Paula asked in disbelief, raising her voice a bit.
Never in all her wildest dreams did she imagine her daughter with Bryan. This is the greatest shock of her entire life.
Paula was concerned about Amy as this was her first date and wanted to know if everything turned out well, so she decided to wait up for her. She became worried when the clock hit midnight but didn’t want to come to any conclusions or make any sudden moves, so she waited a while longer. Just as she was about to dial Amy’s number to find out what was keeping her, she heard the roar of a sports car. When she looked through the window, she saw the car parked in front of her house. She guessed it was Amy and her date and decided to surprise her by welcoming her herself.
After waiting for about five minutes, she peeked through the window again to make sure her guess was right, only to behold the most shocking sight. Amy and Bryan were sharing a passionate kiss. She was too flabbergasted to do anything. How and when in the world did this happen? She wondered, finding a chair to sit to help her take a deep breath and regain her composure.
“Mom, let’s talk about this in the morning. Carl is sound asleep” Amy replied instead, trying to avoid the conversation.
“You don’t tell me what to do in my house, young lady” Paula said indignantly.
‘There is no escaping this one.’ Amy thought to herself, biting her lower lip.
“Now, I’m asking you one last time. What were you doing with Bryan?”
Amy lowered her head in embarrassment, not wanting to meet her mom’s angry eyes.
“We’re together” She mumbled in reply, nervously playing with her fingers.
“What?!” Paula yelled, causing Amy to flinch backwards in fear.
“Since when?”
“Last week”
“My God, Amy! What were you thinking? He’s old enough to be your father!”
“I love him, mom”
“Love?... You’re being ridiculous” Her mom scoffed.
“I’m not” Amy countered.
“Oh really?... Well then, is your father aware of this relationship?”
Amy didn’t say anything. Paula took her daughter’s silence as a sign that Henry was oblivious of the relationship.
“Have you thought about what your father will do if he finds out?”
Paula wasn’t at all comfortable with this situation. She was worried for her daughter because, if Henry finds out about the relationship, something terrible might happen.
“We wanna give it some time” Amy’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Some time?... That is bullshit, Amy. Bryan should know that”
“Don’t blame Bryan for anything, mom”
Amy was beginning to get angry at her mom. This is her life and her decision, no one has the right to question her decision, not even her mom.
“Are you even listening to yourself?... Bryan is Henry’s best friend. He knows Henry better than anyone else” Paula rubbed her temple with her fingers as the whole situation was already giving her a headache.
“So, tell me..” Her mom began.
“When were you planning on telling me this?... Or were you also giving me some time?”
“I’m sorry” Amy said in a soft voice.
“You made a fool of me, Amy!” Paula angrily yelled, her voice cracking at the end.
“Forgive me, mom. I didn’t mean to, I just..”
“Henry is going to blame me for something I know nothing about” Her mom continued, cutting her off.
Tears welled up in Amy’s eyes when she saw how hurt her mom was by her actions.
Paula’s mind was in a complete mess. She has no idea how she was going to face Henry when he finds out about this betrayal. He would no doubt blame her for everything. God, this is so complicated. Thank goodness her husband is out of the state for a new project. He won’t have to encounter this ugly incident.
“Why did you decide to meet with him here?... Did you plan on getting me into trouble with Henry?” Paula couldn’t help but ask.
Amy furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Why would her mother think that?
“I would never do that… I wasn’t thinking when I told dad I was coming over… Don’t worry, I’ll leave first thing in the morning” Amy replied, wiping a tear that escaped her eye. She should have known better than to come to her mom’s place.
Paula shook her head in disagreement, walking towards her daughter who was still standing by the door.
“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean it that way” She apologized, wiping a stray tears from Amy’s eyes. She didn’t mean to hurt her daughter with those words, she was just confused.
“Baby, for the sake of everyone involved, please end this relationship before it goes any further” Paula calmly said.
“I can’t do that, mom. I love him” Amy replied, moving away from her mom.
“You don’t love him, honey. You’re just confused… Please, put a stop to this forbidden love” Her mom pleaded, to prevent any further disaster.
“You have no right to meddle in my relationship!” It was now Amy’s turn to yell. She was sick and tired of everyone telling her what to do.
“I have every right cos I’m your mother!” Paula yelled back.
“Amy, I’m scared” Carl’s small voice said, startling Amy and her mom. He was already at the foot of the stairs, rubbing the sleep off his eyes.
“Come here, buddy. Let’s go to my room” Amy said in a soft, walking towards her baby brother and picked him up, leaving a still angry and confused Paula alone in the living room.