Endless Possibilities (On Hiatus)

“It came,” I say as I walk into the kitchen, holding up a piece of paper.


Mom looks up from a potato she’s chopping, “What came, dear?”


“My acceptance letter.” I don’t get any more explanation out, because she begins squealing and hugging me and exclaiming how proud she is and she can’t believe her baby is going to college and she gets to be there while he is…


Yeah, I haven’t told her I’m moving in with Gerard yet. It’s been a week since it was decided. Since then we’ve talked about how neither of us wants to be in our parents’ houses so we plan on getting an apartment. We’ve actually been searching a lot, so I don’t know why she hasn’t noticed. Especially seeing as about a third of my stuff is now in boxes. I suppose this is as good a time as any to bring it up.


“Mom, I need to talk to you.”


She takes a break from her excitement to register the seriousness in my tone and face, “What is it?”


“You may want to sit down…” She does, and I sit next to her and take her hand.


“Mom, you know I love you and I’m so grateful for how you’ve raised me. I couldn’t ask for a better mom.”


“Yes…Frankie, where’s this going?” I understand the nerves that are clear in her voice. This is how we’ve always handled telling each other news we don’t want to hear.


“Mom…Gerard asked me to move out with him, and I said yes.”
She gasps and I see tears begin to form in her eyes, “Wh-what?”


“I know; it’s really sudden. I wasn’t expecting it either, but…I love him so much, Mom. And we aren’t going far. I promise I’ll visit all the time.”


“But…I thought this Gerard thing was just a phase…”


What? “A phase? Mom, why would it be a phase?”


She begins wringing her hands, “Well, you hadn’t had a significant other yet. I thought you were just experimenting. Bi-curiosity is quite common these days…”


I lay my hand on top of hers to stop the movement, “It’ll be okay, Mom. Just because I’m dating a guy doesn’t mean I’m not the same person.”


She shakes her head and smiles, “Yeah, you’re right. I was just shocked by this sudden announcement is all. I’m happy for you, baby. When are you moving?”


“Well, we’ve been looking for a house for the past couple weeks. Gerard’s leaning more towards an apartment though. Once we find a place we’ll go from there.”


“Well, I know a lovely apartment complex near your school…” She begins talking about the scenery and such and I smile. Having her support feels great.


…


Gerard and I end up picking the place Mom suggested. She was right; it’s amazing. The apartment is completely furnished. There are two bedrooms and one bathroom. One side of it has windows that look out onto a beautiful pond with ducks swimming in it. And best of all, it’s ours. Just ours and nobody else’s.


I breathe a sigh of relief as I deposit the last heavy box on the floor. Getting all of them here in Gerard’s tiny car was hell. I never realized how much stuff I have. And add Gee’s stuff to that…Yeah. Hell. It wasn’t easy getting away from our parents either. Gerard’s mom was more sentimental than mine! Not to mention Mikey…Who happens to be moving away himself in a week.



I laugh as I fall back onto the couch, “An apartment, Gee! And it’s all ours!”


“Yeah. Doesn’t seem real,” he sits on the arm next to my head, “So, Frank?”


“Hm?”


“How open are you to house guests?”


“Weird question. Of course people can come over once we get settled.”


“No, I meant…Now.”


“What?” The question is barely out of my mouth when…


“Surprise!” People seem to come out of the walls and my living room is suddenly packed. It makes no sense. Where did they come from? Why are they here? I just wanted a peaceful night in my new home with my boyfriend!


Jamia somehow separates herself from the crowd and squeals in my ear, “Isn’t this great?! It was my idea. When I heard you were moving my first thought was to throw a housewarming party. Oh, and it’s also for Mikey’s going away. That’s why he isn’t here yet. He has no idea. Oh, isn’t this exciting?!”


I will never understand how that girl fits so many words into one breath. I sigh, “Mia…I’m glad you wanted to do something special, but…I don’t even know half the people here!”


“Well, duh. It wouldn’t be much of a party with only your tiny group here. Remember graduation? So I invited a few of my friends.”


Another sigh, much more annoyed this time, “It looks more like you brought the whole school! Geez, my house is going to get trashed by strangers before I even get to live in it!”


She suddenly gets a helpless look on her face, “So…you don’t like it?”


“Well…I mean, it is a nice gesture…”


“No, I get it…Whatever…Gerard thought it was a good idea…” And she walks off.


“What did you say to her?” Gerard appears next to me and wraps an arm around my waist.


I pull myself closer to him, “I just asked why all these people are here. It feels weird…I didn’t want to make her upset.”


Gerard is about to respond when the doorbell rings. Someone somewhere shuts off the music that has been thumping through the small space. Gerard guides me over to the door smiling before throwing it open. Everyone yells surprise again and Mikey stands on the other side of the door with a completely shocked expression. Ray is next to him looking very smug.


“Happy going away party, bro,” Gerard says.


Mikey’s face split into a grin, “Hey, you guys didn’t have to do this for me.”


“We didn’t,” I say, “It was all Jamia. Apparently we needed to trash our house before we even got to use it,” I’m aware of the ice in my voice, but I can’t help it. I really didn’t want this…


Gerard sighs and pulls me into an empty room. I think it’s supposed to be a spare bedroom, but since we weren’t planning on using it, it isn’t furnished.


“Frank, you need to apologize to Jamia. She really did mean well.”


I break away from him, “I don’t think so, Gerard. I’m not exactly happy with you either. You let her do this. You know how antisocial I am!” he starts to respond, but I cut him off, “All I wanted tonight was a nice, peaceful night. In my new house. Finally getting to be alone with my boyfriend. Is that so much to ask for?”


He obviously reads something that I don’t even know about in my expression, because he walks up next to me again and kisses me softly, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I promise, tomorrow it’s just you and me.”


I look up at him, “Can we make Mia and Sean clean the apartment?”


“Definitely. Now let’s go enjoy that party for Jamia’s sake.”


I sigh, “Fine, but fair warning: I’m getting wasted.”


He laughs, “Fine by me.”

Notes

I felt strangely reminded of my Frosh story while writing the scene with Frank and his mom...
Anyway, here's a nice little update for you. enjoy and comment :)