FicWad

On Thanksgiving Cloud, Ash, and I were at my Mom’s for dinner. We were there with my extended family. My stepdad’s family were there. His mother, both of his siblings, their partners and their kids. My Auntie and her two teenage children. In total we had about eighteen people in the house. I liked my step family. I was the one that introduced my Mom to Bob. He had been my neighbor when I lived with Jack.

Bob was a widower that lost his wife a few years before I met him. They never had children of their own due to her medical issues. But he loved Cloud and I as his own. He is a good man that treats my mom like a queen. And they love each other very much.

I was in the kitchen with Mom, Cloud and a few others including my Auntie and cousin Kim who is eighteen. Kim was home from college and was happy she was finally old enough to sit at the adult table this year. We were “helping” with dinner. That just meant we were standing around the kitchen talking and nibbling on the charcuterie board when my phone vibrated in my pocket.

I pulled it out and looked at the caller ID. I grinned when I saw it was Pete calling.

Cloud looked at me and said, “That has to be Pete if you’re that happy.”

“Who’s Pete?” My mom asked.

I nodded and answered my phone, “Hey there Peter Rabbit.”

“Hey Sky. Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Happy Thanksgiving.” I left the kitchen so I could talk to him without everyone listening in.

I heard my mom asking Cloud who Pete was as I went to the den.

“How are you Sweetheart?” He asked. That was the first time he called me that. And I admit, I really liked it. It was so nice to be someone’s sweetheart.

“I’m ok. How are you?”

“I’m fine. Just missing you and wanting to hear your voice.”

“I miss you too.” I told him. “I’m glad you called.”

“Mom grilled me about you last night.” He sighed.

“How bad was it?”

“Well, I think I have her convinced that you’re not just trying to get in my pants or just interested in my money and fame. I think the fact that I was well rested and actually happy for the first time in a long time helped to convince her.”

“She's worried I’m taking advantage of you?”

“Her and Dad both. You’d think that at twenty seven, they wouldn’t fuss so much. That they would trust me to know my own mind and heart.”

I had to laugh at that, “Age doesn’t mean anything to a parent. You will never not be their son. I think I’m going to have to tell my mom about you now. Cloud mentioned you and now she’s asking.”

“Don’t you want to tell her about me?” He asked, sounding a bit upset that I wouldn’t want to tell her.

“Of course I want to tell her about you. Just, maybe not in front of my entire family. My younger cousins know Fall Out Boy. I think Kim might have a crush on Patrick.” I had to chuckle at that. “That could be awkward. And I liked having you all to myself. It was a fun secret to keep.”

“You don’t need to keep me a secret. I’m not going to keep you or us a secret from anyone.”

“Ok, point taken. After today, all of my family will know about us.” I promised him.

I could hear people being called to the table for dinner.

“Hon, I gotta go, dinner’s ready. But call me later? After you have dinner.”

“Oh, ok. I’ll call you later. I…I miss you so Goddamn much.” He said.

“I miss you too. Have a good day with your family. We’ll talk later.” I said before hanging up.

My mom came into the den as I was hanging up with Pete. “Sissy? Dinner’s ready.”

“On my way.”

She stopped me and looked at me. “This Pete must be someone special. I haven’t seen you smile like that in a long time.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her when she said that. “He is special and I like him very much.” I confessed to her.

“Why haven’t you told me about him?” Mom asked me as we left the den.

“It’s a new relationship. I’m still figuring it all out.” I told her.

We sat at the table and dinner started. The younger kids were at the kids table in the kitchen. While all the adults were seated at the dining room table. We were crowded in, but it was nice to have so much family around. Conversation started at each end of the table as the turkey and sides were passed around.

“Sky, do you have a new boyfriend?” My cousin Kim asked me. She’s ten years younger than me and has always had a bit of hero worship. She has been after me to fix her up with some of my guy friends. Although I would never do that. The age difference is too much.

“Yes, we just started seeing each other.” I told her. Pete didn’t want me to keep him a secret, but I wasn’t sure how to bring up the fact he was who he is.

“What’s he like? Have I met him? Is it that Gavin guy?” Kim asked. She sometimes would come into the city and hang out at our place. She had met a few of our friends that hung out at our house. Gavin was a good friend of all three of us. And he is very good looking. His boyfriend thinks so too.

“Gavin’s gay Kim.” Cloud told her while Ash giggled.

“No, you haven’t met him. He’s a good guy. But it’s still new so no one has really met him yet. Except for Cloud and Ash.”

“Tell me about him. What’s he like? Is he good looking?” She insisted.

Remembering what Pete had said I decided to tell the truth. But if I could refrain from mentioning the band I would.

“His name is Pete. He’s sweet, funny, kind, and talented. Yes, I think he’s very good looking. And we’re just trying to figure it out right now.”

“What does he do?” My mom asked from the other end of the table. I didn’t know she was listening to our end of the table. Apparently my love life was of interest to everyone.

“He’s a musician.” I told them. When I only got looks of interest I elaborated, “He plays bass in a band and is the lyricist.”

“You’ll need to bring him over for dinner soon.” Mom said. But she didn’t seem to be happy about it.

“Well, he’s not in town right now. His family is in Chicago, so he’s there visiting.”

“Then when he gets back we can have him over.”

I looked at Cloud for a little help. He only grinned at me and shook his head. He knew as well as I did that Mom was not going to like the fact I was getting into a long distance relationship or that he wasn’t a doctor or a lawyer.

I decided to bite the bullet, “He doesn’t live here. He lives in California. L.A. actually. And I’m not going to get to see him again until after Christmas. I plan on going out to see him for New Year’s.” I wasn’t ready to tell her I was going to be gone for at least a month. “Could someone please pass the cranberry sauce?” I asked.

“If he doesn’t live here, how’d you meet him?” Kim asked as the cranberries were passed to her and she handed them to me.

“They played in D.C. at the 9:30 club for two nights a few weeks ago. That’s when we met. We exchanged phone numbers and have been in touch ever since. When they were done with the tour, he and Andy, the drummer, came back for a visit. They just left on Tuesday.”

“The drummer came too? Are you dating both?!” Kim asked.

Ash started laughing at that. “No. Andy and I are seeing each other. When he came out to see me, he brought Pete with him so he and Sky could see each other.” She told Kim.

“They were on tour? Are they actually successful or just a group that’s trying to be a real band?” One of my step uncles asked.

“Does that matter?” I asked. It kinda pissed me off to be honest. “They write their own songs and make a living playing music. I’d say that makes them successful.”

“A band isn’t a success unless their music is played on the radio.” Was the answer I got.

“Hmm.. Well, two studio albums, both have gone platinum, a third coming out this spring, videos on MTV, a Grammy nomination, VMA awards, a tour of Europe and Japan happening this spring, and another tour of the U.S. this summer seems pretty successful to me. Oh, and you can turn on DC101 and hear at least one of their songs every hour.” I said.

Kim, though, was just looking at me like I had sprouted another head. “Wait, wait a minute. Pete is the basset and the lyricist. And he’s from Chicago. The drummer’s name is Andy?”

Ash and I both just nodded. I could see the wheels spinning in her head. She was putting the pieces together.

“Fall Out Boy?!?! Are you guys dating Pete Wentz and Andy Hurley?”

Ash and I both nodded and grinned at her. No one in the room knew the band and she was the only one there that understood just how successful they really were.

“No shit! Really?” After we nodded again, Kim asked, “Have you met Patrick?”

“Yes. I actually talked to him this morning. He’s a really sweet guy.” I told her and then laughed at the face she made. If she had been a cartoon, there would have been hearts in her eyes.

“Could... could I meet them the next time they're in town?” she asked wistfully.

“I think we could make that happen,” Ash told her.

Thankfully, the conversation moved on and we enjoyed the dinner and company. Everyone ate way too much, but was happier for it. After the desserts and coffee, Mom and my Auntie went into the den. Cloud and I started to clean up. We were in the kitchen together loading the dishwasher when Mom came in.

“Sky, we need to talk.” Mom said in that mom voice that says you're in trouble.

I looked at her dumbfounded. “What’s wrong?”

“We should do this in private.” She said as she glanced at Cloud. He took the hint and left.

As soon as Cloud left the kitchen, Mom turned on me and whisper-shouted, “What in the world is wrong with you!? A rock musician? Really? You were supposed to be a ballerina for God's sake! The epitome of class and grace. You were supposed to move up in social circles, marry a doctor, not scrape the bottom of the barrel. Maybe if you had actually satisfied Jack you would be married to one. If you wanted to date a musician why couldn’t you meet a nice violinist or cellist? Someone with some class? I just looked up that boy you're seeing. He’s a delinquent! What could you possibly see in him?” Mom was full on shouting at me by the end.

I was pissed at this attack on Pete. She didn’t know him. She had no idea what kind of person he was. And it was very clear that she didn’t know me as well as she thought.

“He’s not a delinquent! He’s kind, and loving, and smart, and talented, he’s a good person! You don’t know him, you haven’t met him, you have no idea who he is.” I shouted right back at her.

We had an audience by this time. Our shouting match was overheard by everyone in the family.

“And if you think I would have been happier as a ballerina or married to Jack than as the artist and person I am, then you don’t know me at all.” I was dismayed and disappointed by my mother.

“Pete is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. I care about him and he cares about me. I’m going out to see him right after Christmas and I’m planning on staying until the end of January. If things go the way I think they will, I’ll be moving there to be with him.”

The look of fury on my mom’s face was scary. “I will never forgive you if you run off after that boy. I tried to raise you better than this. I knew you were no better than a common whore.” She spat the last sentence at me.

“Sharron! How can you say that?” Bob said appalled.

“Mom!” Cloud spoke up, “What the fuck? How can you say that? Pete’s a good guy. If you gave him a chance I know you’d like him.”

“Fuck you Mom.” I said. I was far too angry at this point and didn’t want to argue anymore. I just left. I grabbed my coat and purse and headed out to my car. Ash and Cloud followed me out. We drove home in silence.

When we got home I headed straight to the stairs.

“Sissy?” Cloud asked me.

“I don’t want to talk about it. I’m gonna go call Pete. Good night guys.” I told the two of them and went to my room.

I didn’t call Pete right away but I did text him. Are you free? I need to hear your voice.

He called me immediately.

“Are you ok?”

“No. No, I'm very much not ok. I’m very angry and very upset.”

“What happened Sweetheart?” He asked me with real concern in his voice.

“Had a fight with Mom.”

“What about?”

“You. Me. I’m a disappointment to her for not becoming a ballerina and now I’m a disgrace for running after a rock musician.” I didn’t realize I was crying until a little choking sob slipped out.

“Please don’t cry. I’m so sorry. How could anyone think you’re a disgrace or a disappointment? You’re beautiful, and caring, and loving, and talented. You are so fucking talented. And you’re unbelievably kind.” he reassured me. “I wish I was there with you. I’m sorry I'm not.”

“It’s ok. Just hearing your voice helps.” I took a deep breath and tried to get my voice under control. “I guess it’s gonna be a battle with the parents for us. I feel like I’m sixteen again with a boyfriend Mom doesn't like.”

“Yeah, we’re gonna have to prove to them that we’re not going anywhere. We’re a team now, remember?”

“I remember. I told my mom to fuck off. I’ve never talked to her like that before. She told me that she would never forgive me if I ran off after you. And then she called me a whore.”

“She called you a whore? Because you’re seeing me?” He sounded hurt that he would be the reason Mom had been so vile to me. But it wasn’t his fault.

“I’m a whore because I’m not a ballerina and because you’re a musician instead of a lawyer or a doctor. I’m not living up to her expectations.”

“I don’t want to be the reason you and your mom fight.” He told me.

“And I don’t want to be the reason your parents worry about you.” I sighed. “When will you be in California?”

“I can be there tomorrow if I need to. I can be in D.C. tomorrow if you need me.”

“Don’t tempt me.” I told him. But I was smiling because I knew he would be here if I asked.

“I’m planning on staying here until next Wednesday. I need to be in L.A. the first week of December. I have a few things I need to take care of. Interviews mostly and meetings with my publicist. The new record is coming out in February so the ramp up is starting.” He told me.

“This is going to be a long five weeks.”

“Do you have to stay in D.C. until after Christmas?”

“I need to get this last commission done before I can head out west. I was planning on staying until Christmas so I could spend it with my family. But, now I don’t really care about that.”

“I’ll probably be back here the week of Christmas. But I don’t have to be.”

“Yes you do. Keep your folks happy through the holidays.”

“I’ll get my shit together and let you know what date I’ll be leaving here after Christmas. That way you can get your flight booked.”

“Ok. That’ll be good. Thank you for calling me right away. I really needed you.”

“I know Hon. I just wish I could be there with you.”

“Me too.” I whispered. “Ok, I’m done with this pity party.” I said louder. “I need to get some work done if I’m gonna finish this commission in time.”

“You sure you’re going to be alright?” He asked. He was worried about me.

“No, but I’ll get over it. Talking to you has helped more than you know.” I was hurt by what Mom had said to me. And I knew I would have a good cry about it in a little while. But just hearing his voice did calm me down. I knew this was someone that cared for me. I needed to hear him tell me I wasn’t a disappointment or a disgrace.

“How long do you think it will take you to finish your last commission piece?” He asked.

“At least another sixty to eighty hours. About two weeks, I’d say.”

“Would you consider coming out when you’re done even if it’s before Christmas?”

“I’ll give it some thought. But aren’t you going to be at your parents?”

“I can always change that.” He told me. “I just want to see you. And if that means not visiting with them, I’m willing to do that.”

“I don’t want to make any promises that I’ll be done in time for that. But if I am, I’ll see about coming out early.”

We talked for a little longer and then said our goodbyes. After we hung up, I sat on my bed and cried.