“What?” She laughed.
“I don’t watch that stuff.”
“Oh, please.” Mom had a sly look on her face. “Do you think I’ve never been on your computer before? You really should think of something other than ‘password’ as a password. It’s pretty cliché.”
I was lost for words.
“Want me to get this for you or not?” She raised her eyebrows and tilted her head.
I let out a sigh and felt rather defeated. “No.” I shook my head.
“Your loss.” Mom shrugged and placed the movie on a shelf. “My stuff’s already on the counter. Let’s get out of here.”
Fuck, I need a cigarette. I looked at the ceiling. This day was becoming a little too much. I exited the store thereafter but didn’t have enough time for a smoke, because not too long after I made my exit mom followed suit-with her handbag and bag of sex goods in hand-and smoking in her presence was something I never did.
Once she placed her second bag in the boot we got back into the car and drove back home. Mom thanked me again for spending the day with her as we entered the house, and, for putting up with her shenanigans. I let her know it was no big deal and that I would be leaving the house in roughly five minutes.
I wanted to get to Matt’s place a good hour before the time we were scheduled to leave for the party he’d invited me to earlier on. That way I could enjoy the pre-party. Moreover to my reasoning, I wanted to give mom and dad some alone time. I figured I’d give him a proper greeting on the next day.
Mom gave me a kiss on the cheek and then headed off for her bedroom. I entered my bathroom to void my bladder. Then I stepped into my room, grabbed a black coat and headed back downstairs, where I grabbed a Red Bull from the fridge and jumped back into my car. “Oh yea,” I muttered as I stuck my key into the ignition.
I knew I was forgetting something-mom’s gift. I opened the glove box, pulled out the cased necklace and took it out of its bag. But then an unforeseen problem suddenly became apparent. How was I gonna get the gift to dad? Shit. I sat in my car and brainstormed as I sipped on my Red Bull.
Then a golden idea came to me. I’d simply go back upstairs, leave it in…let’s say; my desk drawer. And when dad calls me looking for it, I’d simply tell him where he could find it. Brilliant. I grabbed the dark blue box and opened the car door. But before I could get out the sound of my ringtone went off.
“Hmm.” I pulled out my smartphone, pressed the answer button and placed it against my ear. “Hello.”
“Nick, it’s me.”
“Oh, hey dad.” I recognized his voice. “Where are you? The airport? I’ve got mom’s gift in my hand right now.”
“Yea, that’s what I’m calling you about, bud.” He sighed. “I’m still in New York.”
My heart felt like it dropped into my stomach. I couldn’t believe my ears. “New York? Dad, you’ve gotta be kidding me.” I shook my head.
“Yea, sadly…I’m not.”
“You were supposed to get on your plane last night.”
“I know, I know, son. But a problem came up in the stock market right before I could. And I needed to stay here, so I can weather the storm the company’s about to go through.”