FicWad

By the time the plane had touched down I had consumed four cups of black coffee. Okay, whoever said that drinking coffee would help sober you up was full of shit. Now I still had a buzz, my stomach hurt and I needed to pee. What a fucking wonderful day. I unhooked my seatbelt and stood. Gerard's arm shot out to steady me. I gave him a grateful smile.
We deplaned and Mikey and Alicia headed for the airport taxi that was waiting. Gerard had his arm around me. "Uh, Mikey. I rented a car. I think I'm gonna show Laura around town. Tell Mom we'll be there later."
Mikey frowned, "I thought you guys were riding with us." Beside him Alicia linked arms with him protectively.
"Go on, Mikey. We'll be there later." Gerard said quietly.
Mikey didn't look happy but he and Alicia said goodbye and headed towards the doors.
"What about our bags?" I asked. I was hoping we didn't have to wait for them. Several people had already given Gerard looks that I knew meant recognition.
"They will be delivered to Mom's,” he said. He led me towards the car rental booth. I looked around while he talked to the clerk. Everything was taken care of quickly and he soon turned to me holding car keys. "Come on we gotta take a shuttle to the lot."
I was still looking around, now frantically.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
I didn't answer.
He smiled, "Come on. This way." He grabbed my hand and much to my joy led me to a restroom.
I had never been so happy to see one in my life. The coffee had gone right through me. As I was washing my hands I glanced in the mirror. Shit, I looked rough. Great, just great. I'm sure his Mom was gonna be impressed with me. I tried to run my fingers through my hair but it still looked bad. My make-up? Well let’s just say I looked like a certain woodland creature.
"I was thinking I'd have to come in for you." Gerard said as I walked back out on shaky legs.
"That would have been interesting." I said with a sigh. We walked to the shuttle, his arm around my waist. Neither of us spoke on the way to the lot. I closed my eyes trying not to be sick.
The shuttle dropped us off and we got into the rental. Gerard leaned over me and fastened my seatbelt. I had my eyes closed. "You okay?"
"Just peachy." I said. "Jim Dandy". I sighed, "Right as rain."
Gerard started the car while laughing, "Got any more?"
I tried to think, "Nope, not right now. Cause I'm totally lying. I'm sick as a dog."
"Sick as a dog. Fuck, what am I gonna do with you?"
I was happy he seemed to be in a better mood. Too bad I had to feel like shit for that. "Not a damn thing right now. I'm just upset I have to meet your mom feeling like this."
He sighed, "She'll like you. I know she will. She'll just figure your nervous cause you're meeting her for the first time."
"Well I am nervous cause I'm meeting her." I replied opening my eyes.
He pulled out of the lot. I noticed he was smiling. "What?"
"You are such a good distraction. If I was alone now I'd be trying to think of an excuse not to go to mom's."
"Thanks a bunch. Glad to distract you." I said sarcastically.
He laughed, "Calm down. It's gonna be okay. We'll pop in, say hello and leave."
I was confused. "That's it? We came all this way just to say hello and leave?"
"No, we'll stay a few days. Just not at Mom's."
I closed my eyes and fell asleep. When the car stopped I opened my eyes to see we had arrived in front of a nice two-story home. "We're here." He said softly.
I glanced at the dashboard clock. Two hours had passed He noticed my confused look. "We've just been driving around. I figured I should let you sleep."
"This is your mom's new house?"
He nodded, "Yeah, I just wish she would have moved out of Belleville."
He got out and sprinted around the car to open my door. Oh boy he was on his best behavior for mom. I got out slowly feeling a bit better. He took my hand and led me towards the front door. We were almost there when the door flew open. A blond woman engulfed Gerard in a bear hug. "I'm so glad you're here." she said kissing his cheek.
He stepped back and took my hand again, "Mom, this is Laura."
Donna Way looked me up and down then threw her arms around me. "Welcome Laura." she said. "Any woman who can deal with Gerard is okay in my book."
I laughed liking her already, "Yeah, it's a tough job." Man, if only she knew.
We walked into the living room where Mikey and Alicia were already seated. "Hey, Bro. What took you so long?"
Gerard shrugged. "Just showing Laura the town."
Crap, since I had slept the whole time I hoped there wouldn't be a test on the town of Belleville. Gerard and I took a seat on the second sofa. Donna was walking back in with a plate of cheese and crackers. Shit, my stomach rumbled, loudly.
Donna laughed, "Gerard, didn't you feed this woman lunch?"
"He didn't and I'm starved,” I answered with a smile.
"Hon, let me get you a sandwich too." She took off for the kitchen.
Gerard was looking at me with a goofy expression. "What?"
"Oh, nothing."
I chose to ignore him. Standing I made my way into the kitchen where Donna was preparing my sandwich. She turned when she saw me. "I'll bring it to you."
I took a seat at the kitchen table, "That's okay. My mom always said it's not polite to beg for food then wait for it to be served."
She laughed, "You didn't beg at all, I offered.'' she placed the plate in front of me then asked me what I wanted to drink. I told her water would be just fine.
"So how long have you known my son?" she asked taking a seat across from me.
Oh crap now for the inquisition. "Actually I've known Mikey longer. Alicia and I were friends in high school and when I move to New York a few months ago I moved in with them."
Donna nodded, 'Mikey told me that. And you met Gerard when?"
I took another bit of the sandwich then answered, "About a month ago." Shit, that sounded bad. Yeah, I just met him while he was engaged to someone else, and now we're engaged. Wow if I was Donna I wouldn’t like me.
Donna however smiled, "Love at first sight?"
Oh boy, how to answer this one.
"Something like that." Gerard answered from the doorway. "I saw a photo of Laura before I ever met her. I knew she was for me."
His words pleased his mother. I noticed how he had answered. He hadn't said it was love at first sight. He had just said I was the one for him. I continued to eat my sandwich in silence. Gerard moved towards the table and sat down by me. He draped his arm around the back of my chair.
"I saw Helen the other day." Donna said to Gerard, "She said to tell you to stop by and see her when you get a chance."
I could sense Gerard’s whole body tense. His fingers that were touching my shoulder dug in. I tried not to flinch. Whoever the hell Helen was he didn't seem too happy about the prospect of seeing her.
"You know I still wonder whatever happened..." Donna stopped speaking when she noticed Gerard had abruptly stood. I looked at him and saw the panic in his eyes. Donna was looking at him questioningly.
He needed out of this situation. I stood up and promptly took a stop back and collapsed.
Immediately he was at my side. Donna was making her way around the table. I gave him a look I hoped her would interpret correctly and closed my eyes. Soon I felt a cold washcloth being applied to my forehead. I let my eyes flutter open.
"Are you alright?" Gerard asked gently stroking my cheek.
I smiled slightly. I noticed Mikey and Alicia were standing looking down at me too. Well fuck I better put on a good performance. "I'm sorry. I must have gone low blood sugar from not eating for so long. I'm okay really."
"Low blood sugar? Geared you need to take better care of her."
He helped me sit up slowly. "I'll be fine. I'm just tired too. I didn't sleep well last night." I looked pointedly at Gerard. Might as well let him feel bad. I hadn't slept well waiting up for him.
"Mom, I'm gonna get her to our hotel. We'll come back later for dinner."
"She could lay down here." Donna said. It was clear she didn't want her eldest son leaving so soon.
"We'll be back,” he said softly. Donna nodded.
Gerard helped me to my feet, I thanked Donna for the sandwich and we slowly made our way to the car. Mikey had followed us out carrying out bags which had been delivered to the house.
"Great performance, Laura." he said softly in my ear. Gerard hadn't heard he was opening the trunk. I looked at Mikey but said nothing. He put the bags in the trunk then spoke to his brother.
"You are really coming back aren't you?"
Gerard sighed, "We'll be back for dinner."
Mikey nodded and went back into the house.
Once we pulled out on the road Gerard spoke, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." I knew it would do no good to ask him what had just happened.
We drove in silence until he pulled up in front of a house on a corner lot. It was brick with white shutters and was very cozy looking. "Who's house?" I asked confused. I thought we were heading to the hotel.
"Mine' he said softly.
I looked back out the window. "Yours?"
"Mom sold it a few months ago. I had my lawyer buy it using a dummy corporation."
Okay I got it. "This is the house you and Mikey grew up in?"
"Yeah."
"And you bought it but you don't want anyone to know."
"Yeah." He sat staring at the house.
"Are we staying here?" I guessed
He nodded. His face had taken on the dark look I had come to hate.
"Why, Gerard?"
"Penance." was his only answer.