Page 6 of An Unexpected Encounter

Mom: What do you mean checked in. You were to message me so we could go eat.

Me: I didn’t want to carry my luggage to the restaurant. It’s just a few more minutes. If you’re that hungry go without me I could use a nap anyway.

Mom: Do you enjoy embarrassing me?

Me: How am I doing that. I just checked into my room, that’s it.

Mom: We have been waiting for you to eat. Abel wants to meet his future daughter. And we do have plans that don’t involve you.

Me: Step daughter Mom I already have a father.

How dare she think she can replace him. I’ll never call or think of anyone else as my father. I take a deep breath, knowing I just need to get through this weekend, so if it means sucking up to her, I will.

Me: I’m sorry. I could only get here as fast as the plane traveled.

I roll my eyes, knowing it won’t matter, it will be my fault, like always. Her unhappiness is because of me.

Mom: We are in the restaurant downstairs. Hurry and get here. And make sure you look presentable. You are an extended representation of me,

Picking up a pillow, I cover my mouth with it and scream.

Me: Fine Mom. I’m on my way.

Reluctantly, I smooth out my skirt, and head for the door, but stop dead in my tracks when I remember that fuck head took my underwear. Rushing back to my suitcase, I open it and reach into the mesh pocket, pulling out a pair. There is no way in hell I’m sitting down at dinner with my mom and Abel, pantyless. Nope, no fucking way that is happening. I quickly step into them and shimmy them up my legs, smoothing my skirt once I’m done. Snatching up the room key, I walk out the door.

Once I make it downstairs, I head straight for the restaurant and spot Mom immediately. She’s seated at a table, snuggled up against an older man with salt and pepper hair, muscled arms, and dark-rimmed glasses. He’s gazing at her with a huge smile lighting up his face and I just watch them for a second.

She is so happy.

The happiest I’ve seen her since my father passed away. We may bicker a lot, and she might pick on every detail about me, but there’s still a deep need in me to see her happy. I think it’s dad. He’s probably rolling over in his grave at how we are to each other now. If seeing her happy would bring a smile to his face, then I’m going to suck it up and take whatever she dishes out this weekend. I won’t ruin this for her.

Maybe there is someone out there for me when I eventually get my shit together. I mean, hell, she found love twice.

Stepping up to the table, I clear my throat to pull them out of the tunnel vision they have on one another. “Mom, you look beautiful,” I tell her, as she stands, moving around the table to pull me into her arms, squeezing me tightly.

“Selena, I’m so glad you’re finally here. One of Abel’s sons arrived early, but went to see the tailor. He needed to get his tuxedo fitted to make sure it didn’t need any alterations before the wedding. We had hoped they would’ve gotten here earlier, but their work schedule didn’t allow it. Luckily, they all wear the same size, so he is trying them on for all three, especially since Ezekiel may not get here until the morning of the wedding.” My mother pouts and Abel jumps up to comfort her. I can already tell she has him wrapped around her finger, falling for her charade of woe is me.

“Oh, Pumpkin, it’ll be okay. My sons wouldn’t miss this for the world and the wedding will be amazing.” He turns her around to face him and kisses her on the forehead. Damn if it doesn’t instantly soothe her. He holds his hand toward me, and I reach out to shake it, but instead, he pulls me into a hug. “I finally have two beautiful women on my arm, my future bride and her daughter. I’m the luckiest man alive.” He squeezes me, acting like we’ve known each other for ages, and as nice as he seems, being held in his arms is fucking creeping me out.

Pulling out of his hold, I step back and take a seat. “Are you excited, Mom?” I ask, trying to get the lunch back on track. I’m ready for it to be over so I can take a nap and a shower.

“Absolutely. Abel is such a good man.” That’s all she gives me before she gets right into business. “Now, tomorrow night, we have the rehearsal dinner. In the morning, the seamstress will be here and wants to meet with you quickly to check that your dress fits. I know the last time you came and saw me it did, but it looks like you might have put on a few pounds.”

Of course, she would sneak a snarky comment in. My mother weighs a buck twenty, and because I have a butt that would make Beyonce jealous and thighs any man would want wrapped around his waist, she assumes I’m fat. ‘Get with the ages, Mom,’ I want to scream at her. Men want a thicker woman now, not a beanpole. And to top it off, I’m not even that thick. But if you don’t wear a size two, you’re fat in her eyes.

“Ahh, Pumpkin, I think she looks fine,” Abel says at the same moment our server steps up to the table. She’s a fuller size woman, with auburn hair pulled back into a fierce bun, wearing a white shirt and some black slacks. “Good afternoon, my name is Buelah and I’ll be your server today. Can I get you started with some drinks and appetizers?” She looks around the table, holding her order pad poised in her hand.

“I’ll have some water and a house salad, please,” I announce, wanting to be done with this meal as fast as possible. My mom has always been a little much, but since my dad passed away, her patronizing comments have gotten worse.

“Salad is a great option for you,” my mother cuts in snidely and I see red.

“And I’d like to ‌order my food as well. I had a late night and then had to rush to the airport and burned off a lot of energy on the flight. Can I get your thickest, greasiest burger and some fries smothered in bacon and cheese, please?”

My mother sits there, her jaw dropped open in shock, disgust. Abel just has a smile on his face. “I love to see a woman with a hearty appetite and not afraid to order what she wants.”

She turns in her seat and slaps him across his chest playfully. “That is until she’s as big as a house, then they move on to the skinny girl. Don’t fill her head with delusions.”

Tired of it already and wanting to get back to my room, I ask Mom the question that’ll get her off the subject of my weight. “Why don’t you order so you can tell me all about the wedding plans and what we need to do tomorrow?”

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