My Mom Your Dad: Happily Ever After

My Mom Your Dad:

Happily Ever After

By

Luvvenia Hawkins

* * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

JIREHIS

On Smashwords

My Mom Your Dad:

Happily Ever After

Copyright © 2010, 2011 by Luvvenia Hawkins

Table of Contents

Chapter 01

Chapter 02

Chapter 03

Chapter 04

Chapter 05

Chapter 06

Chapter 07

Chapter 08

Chapter 09

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Books by Luvvenia Hawkins

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Chapter 1

* * * * *

Look, isn't that him? Maggie was always good at spotting him before me.  It was like she had her radar set on auto-detect Bryce Tyler.  I looked up and there he was; the dreamiest, hottest most eligible boy at Central High (IMHO).

Are you sure you're not crushing him? I turned a suspicious nose up at Maggie with questioning eyes.  She gave me a glare while batting her eyes as she clucked her tongue against the roof of her mouth.

"Pl---ease... I know it's hard to believe, but Bryce Tyler isn't every girl's dream boy." She said in that annoying attitude that bespoke, 'I'm evolved and you're not.'  Maggie was a real piece of work.  She was like a 60 year old lady trapped inside of a teen's body.

What's with you? Bryce is every teenager’s girl dream. I said as I stared at him shamelessly with drool formulating in my mouth.  

He's tall, always well-groomed, with those dark, brooding eyes. And he even has a part-time job to go with that totally wicked car that he drives.  I smiled to myself as I secretly dissected every delicious inch of him from head-to-toe inside my imagination. 

Maggie flipped her hand at my words dismissively as if I were speaking nonsense.

Not every high school girl is into bishonen boys.  I like the strong, masculine type. You can keep that girly-girl-pretty boy. Besides he's a book of contradictions. Whoever heard of such a neat freak working in an automotive repair shop?  I gave her my special glare as if I were asking her 'what's wrong wif you?' 

Hmm, I sighed. Just means he's versatile and it gives him an edge of masculinity. It balances out all of those girly-girl qualities that you complain about so much. I curled my lips upward as the words, besides it's very hot transpired from my lips in a nice little smirk.

Just imagine him all sweaty, dirty and grimy.  Wouldn't it be cool to wash the dirt right off of that hot hard body? I further heard myself asking her around the finger that I had stuck inside my cheek sucking on it like a lollipop.  

God, get a grip or take a cold shower.

Ugh I just don't get you. I was truly frustrated by her nonchalant attitude towards the hottest boy at school.

* * * * * * *

Dude, there goes that chick again... I think she's staring at you. I felt Sam nudging me as we bumped and jostled our way through the crowded hallways of Central High.  High school seemed to be like greased lightening to me; it was moving at the speed of light.  Maybe cuz it was my senior year and I only attended school half-day now that I was doing the job-training thing. You know the program that eases non-college bound teens into real-life workforce.  It was cool.  I only had three classes in the morning, I got to leave at noon, work four hours a day and home by 6 p.m. It was sweet; my little piece of senior heaven.

I looked up and I saw her walking; well more like floating through the hallway squeezing on the arm of her bff laughing and talking like only sunshine and blue skies existed in her weather forecast. Yea it did look like she was looking in my general direction; but I couldn't be sure if she was zeroing on me cuz I couldn't stand to look at her too long, less my eyes would began to swell with tears. I swear I was going to blush and that wasn’t cool for someone like me, so I had to look away fast.  

I felt something swelling up inside my chest. My heart raced as if it were about to burst. Inside the pit of my stomach it felt like a block of ice was beginning to melt. God she had a smile that could make lightening strike.  That's what it was like for me whenever I took a chance to look at her. She was like my very own private sunshine and blue skies. I averted my eyes; she was just that beautiful to me. The attraction I felt to her was unreal and I didn't know what to do about it. 

It wasn't like I was shy or I hadn't dated before; I don't know. Maybe there comes a time in every guy's life when he meets a girl that just puts him on edge; makes him unsure about himself.  I don't quite understand it myself; after all she was a transfer student and a junior no less.  But I liked her, there was no denying it. Her name was Hylla Koeing and she was an emo chick.  Ordinarily depress looking weird emo chicks with wildly colored hair who wore dull lifeless dark clothing weren't my type, but there was just something about her that made my heart stop and then sent it racing every time I saw her face. Maybe it was her snake bite piercing that I liked.  It bespoke a hint of boldness and adventure that I myself lacked.  While I lived life in the safe zone, Hylla gave the appearance of walking a little on the wild side.  Maybe I'm just attracted to people who are polar opposite of me.

Gonna talk to her? I heard Sam breaking into my thoughts.  He was hyped. He was always more excited for me than I was for myself.  He was another polar opposite of me. I was more laid back and generally took a passive approach to dating; I let the chicks come to me more or less.  Sam on the other hand; a total flirt but that's why we clicked.  He reeled the girls in and I got to play bashful and alluring; it worked like a charm. Should I reel her in for you? He asked sounding a little too excited about the prospect of having a reason to approach her. I hunched my shoulders together pretending like it was no big deal; like it didn't matter, but I couldn't fool Sam; he knew me inside-out and he knew I was fronting.

Ouch-ouch... I howled as Sam grabbed me by the neck and put me into a choke-hold as he playingly pounded on my head.

Liar... He screeched.

* * * * * *

Getting married, I thought that you had not only closed the door but moved out the country on that subject matter, I heard my Aunt Tess saying to my mom as they sat in the dining room enjoying coffee and teacakes like little old English women from the motherland.  My eyes unwillingly slightly budged at hearing this news. Mom was well into her 40s and I've heard the old people saying that 40 is the new 20.  For anyone reading this; here's a clue: NOT true.  Marriage at her age? I swear inside my head I was screaming at the tip-top of my lungs, 'WTF? MARRIED! Are you freaking kidding me?’ I felt like I was about to have a coronary. Unfortunately I was the only one who could hear my silent screams.  I knew my mom had been dating a ‘man’ recently; however I hadn't thought it was serious. I mean after all who takes Internet dating seriously; match dot com, Facebook, Twitter or was it e-harmony dot com; hmm I can’t remember cuz like I said who takes Internet dating seriously.  I mean it is seriously for losers and is totally lame-city; not saying mom is a loser or lives in lame-city. She's just been busy; raising kids and making a living.

Uh-hmm. I cleared my throat loudly to let the ‘adults’ know that a ‘child’ was entering their space so they should make like a clam and shut up.

Hylla, My mom greeted me as she shot Aunt Tess a nervous glance. ‘Yea I heard everything,’ I silently said reading my mom’s thoughts.  You know how that is, right? You live with someone all of your life suddenly you know what they’re thinking almost before they do.  I walked past the cherry wood dining table for six with my head tucked down and my chin inside my black turtle neck sweater.  My eyes darted across the room meeting everything that wasn’t my mother’s or my aunt’s eyes. I wasn’t prepared for them to have an inkling that I knew about this shotgun wedding. Hmm, is mom pregnant? Oh God that would be totally embarrassing. I mean I just started this new school. We would so have to move like yesterday.

Geez Hylla is that the only color you've got in your closet? I swear it’s like watching you go to a funeral every time I see you. My eyes crossed to the right at Aunt Tess’ poor attempt to change the subject. Seriously I felt like dying and a funeral was starting to look good to me compared to my mom’s impending nuptials, ugh.

Whadya expect from an emo... Black is always in. I gave her a snappy remark to play along with her game of let's pretend that all is well in the nest.  Seriously I swear my eyes were going to get stuck to the side of my head if I crossed them one more time.

I’m getting something to eat.  I mumbled into my sweater totally avoiding confrontation.  I'm 16; I've learned to pick my battles. 

The truth was I just wasn’t ready for this conversation.  I mean true, a ‘kid’ is never really prepared for something like this.  This must be the reverse of what happens to first-time parents.  You’re expecting your first child and no matter how many books you’ve read or parenting classes you’ve taken; the truth of the matter is there is no DIY manual; you only get real-life experience on the job; after your bundle of joy arrives. 

This situation felt very much akin to that; there is no preparation to becoming a step-daughter and possibly a step-sister. I’ve watched The Brady Bunch and let’s face it; that’s just TV. Seriously, how do you blend two families into one?  How do you plan for something like that?  It felt like I was going to be a first time parent when I accidentally overheard that my mother was getting married again. I hate to admit this; but I swear I didn't take the divorce seriously six years ago. Maybe it was a little naïve of me, but I guess I was thinking (maybe hoping) that my parents would one day somehow get back together. I know it was stupid and even crazier for a 16 year old to think and feel like this, but is there really any kid who doesn’t? 

Make it a light snack, remember family caucus tonight. Mom yelled at my back as I rummaged through the fridge pretending to look for food.  I mean seriously do I have time to eat?  I'm in the middle of a holy-ghost shit fit; can I really afford to eat? Quick I pulled out my cell phone and texted ‘911’ to my bff Maggie. Immediately my phone rang.

Meet me at the place in five. The words rush out of my mouth before I could exhale my next breath.  I grabbed a couple of honey-crisp apples and tossed them into my book bag.  I’ll be back, I yelled at my mom as the back door slammed shut rattling the screen door as I heard my mom yelling back,

Don’t be late, caucus tonight.

Chapter 2

* * * * * * *

Could you repeat that please? I asked him after choking on my own spit from what he had just said. Judging by my Pops reaction I must have been looking at him like he was sprouting toes from his forehead. What the hell just happened?

I say there’s someone I want you and Adam to meet; so don’t go and make any plans for Sunday.

Adam sat on the light beige carpeted floor in the living room running his dump truck over our poor cat Neely who laid down unbothered by one his many antics. Just like Neely who was unfazed by the rubber tires of Adam’s toy truck running haplessly over his body; Adam also was unfazed by the implications of Pops’ words of ‘meeting someone special.’ I cocked a half-grin on my face as it occurred to me that it must be nice to be six years old and not totally understand the meaning of our father’s words. I shook my head as I watch the cherub quietly sitting there grunting and making truck noises with his mouth and lips. Poor kid just doesn’t know he should be very afraid.

Pops, since when did you start dating seriously? I asked after my father’s back as he headed towards the kitchen to start preparing dinner. He shrugged his shoulders as he peered into the cupboards weighing his options for what to make.

I don’t know. It kind of sort of just happened. He said matter-of-factly as if we were talking baseball or hockey. I sighed slightly as I braced myself against the counter and then jumped up and propped my butt on it. I grabbed an Ugli fruit out of the brown woven fruit basket and began gnawing on it immediately; peel and all; mm sour just like this conversation. I frown at the taste as my eyes slightly watered.

Give me a break. I know you. Something like this just doesn’t happen to you. I mean you dated what’s-her-face for like three years and suddenly ended things after deciding she wasn’t right for you. C’mon Pops what gives; she’s not pregnant is she? I pried; however truth be told I really didn’t want to know. Pop choked immediately going into a coughing spell and then a laughing spell.

Well thanks for the vote of confidence. He joked. I swear right then I would have paid a million dollars to switch places with my little brother. Just this time, I wanted to be blissfully ignorant.

No she’s not pregnant… And the other one; her name was Barbara, and she just wasn’t the one. He replied as he pulled out the container of brown rice and a couple of cans of cream soups.

That’s my point. You dated Barbara for three years before you figured out she wasn’t the one; so how come this one is different? I mean has it even been two months; you’re sure she’s not pregnant? I asked again as I followed him over to the sink; probably too close for comfort. My remark was met with a scowl.

It’s been six months… Thank you very much. He snapped back at me as he measured water into a medium sized saucepan.

Pops something just isn’t right. I mean you never introduce us to your dates; why now? I was feeling very uneasy about this meeting. Something was telling me that there was more to this story than meets the eye.

Look Rawlings, my father stopped pouring water in mid stride and took the time to make eye contact with me. There are two things about my Pops: one he only called me by my middle name when he’s deadly serious about something and two my heartbeat stopped for a nanosecond. That’s when my heart really started beating; fast. I rubbed my hands against the rough fabric of my black jeans, this was major.

Maybe you don’t know yet cuz you’re still young and learning about stuff like this. But you should know that there comes a time in every man’s life when he meets a girl/ a woman and you can’t explain it; the two of you just click. There’s just something about her and you just know she’s the one. He then gave me a smile as a strange look came over his eyes engulfing his face. It was like he was remembering some fond memory or something. Then he abruptly turned his attention back to his cooking. I wanted to puke. Holy snap, that’s when it hits me. No wonder my heartbeat stopped at his reaction; didn’t I just say the same thing to Sam just days ago about Hylla? I bet I had that same crazy expression on my face that Pops just had.

* * * * * *

What? You’re punkin’ me, right? Is the exact reaction that I wanted to scream at my mom after overhearing her conversation with Aunt Tess. Instead I sat under the monkey bars in the sand pit at the park like my little six year old little sister Lilith would’ve done.  I know it seemed kind of lame for a couple of 16 year-olds to be sitting at a playground in the middle of a sandpit under some monkey bars meant for children much younger than ourselves, but this was the place where our secret meetings began ten years ago.  This was the place where our 911 meetings first began. It’s where we first met- or should I say fought.

Maggie and I were about Lilith age then. We've come a long ways since those days. Back then it was chestnut ringlet curls with matching circular reddish-brown plastic glasses covering a pair of large round brown eyes that were staring fire and damnation at me. My straight dark coffee colored hair slightly covered my oval-shaped green eyes as a gentle breeze blew through the air.

What? I snapped at the chestnut haired girl who was boring holes into my face. Why are you staring at me? Do you like me? I demanded.

You killed my castle. She retorted in her own angry tone with her right foot stamping a hole in the softened sand grains underneath her.  For the first time since arriving at the park, I looked down and paid attention to where I was standing.  I tell you, not much has changed for me since that time.  I can still be standing in the middle of chaos and still be so aloof about what is going on right under my feet.

Oh, I gasped as I saw how my feet had trampled through what must have once been a very beautiful detailed pain-stakingly built English castle of sand and pebble-rocks.  How come I missed that, I remembered wondering.  But still it wasn’t my fault; I didn’t do it on purpose.  I recovered and just like today, my pride wouldn’t let me admit the errors of my ways I responded with:

It’s public property. I then promptly began stamping on her pain-stakingly built castle destroying most of the remaining remnants of its former beauty.

Ouch, I whelped as I felt my long straight hair being pulled from my head by its roots. Abruptly I felt my butt hit the sand pit as I crashed on the last standing tower of the castle effectively annihilating it.  My feet were over my head and those chestnut ringlets that had set perfectly curled on top of that little hellcat’s head earlier were dangling over my head randomly dipping in-and-out of my face as I reached up pulling and clawing at anything I could grab namely those annoying little ringlets.

Get off of me! I screeched as we tumbled and rolled around in the sand pit tearing at each other’s hair and trying to poke out the eyes while taking a bath of sand and