Waiting for Superman

I woke up, the next morning, surprised to see Patrick next to me. I had no idea what time he had gotten home, and I didn't have time for a fight right now, we had to pick my parents up from the airport at 10 and I needed Patrick to pull it together until they left Saturday afternoon. I jumped in the shower. I stepped out a few minutes later and pulled on a flowy, blush pink tank top, and cropped skinny jeans. I finished putting on a little bit of makeup and left the bathroom.

I walked into the living room, to let Charlie out of his cage. I fed Charlie, and checked my phone.

Can't wait to see you both tonight!-Mom

Congrats on the award Sis! Wish I could be there, hopefully i'll see you soon.- my brother Kyle

Hey Girl! Jackie, Jess and I miss you! Hangout soon?-Erica Kane

I answered them and looked up to see Patrick coming out of the bedroom.

"Hi" was all he said, hanging his head down low, sitting on a stool in the kitchen.

I didn't know what to say. I should get to be mad, right? Yes, he came home late, drunk,again. But I couldn't. No matter what he did, I couldn't never seem to stay mad at him or even yell at him. I loved him too much to fight him.

"Patrick, " I said softly.

His gaze picked up to meet mine.

"Don't Kylie," he said, "Don't say anything because you wont yell at me and I know that. You wont get mad at me and I know that, and I don't deserve you Kylie, I really don't." His eyes brimmed with tears, and I could feel a tear starting to roll down my cheek, "Your the sweetest, most beautiful, smart girl I've ever known in my life and I just keep fucking you over and I can't even tell you why."

I came around the kitchen island to the stool he sitting on, and he stood up and pulled me into his arms.

"Patrick, I don't want to yell at you," I said. "I love you, and if you want to go out I don't care, but..." I stopped to wipe my tears. "But...honestly all I want is for you to be here, with me. I feel like i'm boring and you don't want to be with me and I know i'm not the most exciting person in the world but-"

"No" Patrick cut me off, "Kylie you are perfect, everything about you and every time I go out I just want to be home with you. I don't know its just..." he paused "Its what i'm used to doing, I just, have to get out of the habit."

He wiped the tears off my cheeks, he kissed me hard.

"Now lets go get your parents before we both cry again."

We both laughed out loud and headed out to Patrick's car.
...
We arrived at the airport, and soon saw my parents coming flying out of the terminal.

"KYLIE!" My mom screamed practically sprinting at me, giving me a bear hug.My mom was stood about the same height as me, short blonde hair, and with a cute, round, mom figure.

Patrick shook my Dad's hand "Hello, Mr. MaCauley," "hello, Patrick" My Dad replied, as much as my Dad adored Patrick I was still his little girl, and he was still on the look out. "Mrs. Mac" Patrick said and my Mom dived at him for a hug. I hugged my Dad and we piled into Patrick's car. My mother, Kara, and I had hair and makeup appointments soon, so we didn't have much time to get them settled in.

Patrick had to leave for practice, so after we settled in my parents, he kissed me goodbye. He said he would would be back in less than two hours.

"Oh look at you two," she said, "aren't they just so cute?" she said staring at my Dad. My Dad just rolled his eyes and went back to watching sports center.

My Mom and I met Kara at the salon just down the street. "Mrs. Mac!" she yelled hugging my mother. "Kara!" My mom screamed giving her a huge hug, "Now you're mother is worried sick about you, you know you gotta call her more often," My mom said opening the salon door. "Will do Mrs. Mac" Kara said.

About an hour later, we were finished and headed back to Pat and I's apartment to get ready.

I stripped off my jeans and tank top, and slipped into my dress.

I came out the bedroom to seem my mother and Kara standing in the kitchen already dressed. Patrick and my father were making small talk dressed in tuxes.

"Oh Kylie," My mom said tears forming, "You're Gorgeous!" Kara added. "Beautiful baby," My Dad said kissing me on top of my head.
Patrick stood there wide eyes, "Wow," he said, "You look amazing." He slipped a small, blue box out of his pocket, "Here," he said sweetly handing me the box.
"Patrick," I said smiling.
I opened the box to see a gorgeous pair of earrings, "Oh my god Patrick, they're gorgeous thank you," I said standing on my tip toes to kiss him. Even in heels he was much taller than me. I replaced my old earrings with the new ones.
Around 6 we decided to get going to the awards.
...
I was somewhat intimidated by all the gorgeous women when we got there, most of my colleagues were men accompanied by their trophy wives, but I didn't care, as long as I had Patrick I was happy.

The editors in chiefs of all the major U.S newspapers gave their speeches, the dinner was served and they began giving out awards.

After what seemed like hours of giving only a few awards, Mr. Bowman stepped up to the podium.

I felt Patrick, smiling at me, it made me happy that I had finally made him and my parents proud.

"And our final, and most prestigious of the night goes to a young lady has clearly proven her passion for her career, through her hard work and dedication. She has an in depth knowledge of sports and is able to vividly recreate sports games through her editorials and columns. She has been offered the lead, sports columnist job for the Boston Globe. We wish her luck as she takes this grand step in her career. Ladies and Gentlemen the 2014 Pulitzer awards goes to, Ms. Kylie MaCauley."

All my insides seemed to collapse, Patrick looked at me, not only was he confused he looked hurt and disappointed. My parents were confused as well as somewhat excited at the prospect of me coming back home. I hadn't said yes or no yet so I don't know why they announced it that way, like it was definite.

I didn't have time to explain before I was whisked up to the podium. Mr. Bowman handed me a clear, cube shaped, trophy, with a plaque stating the title, year and my name.

I cleared my throat, "I would like to thank my wonderful, family, and friends for always supporting through my career, um," I paused. "Thank you to my editors, Mr. Bowman, and the to the wonderful city of Chicago." The crowd applauded and I could not wait to get out of the limelight.

I got back to our table, and the music began playing now that the awards were over. It was awkward, I sat down placing my award on the table and turned all my attention to Patrick,he was in a dead stare straight ahead of him. "Excuse me." he said pushing himself and walking out onto the wrap around balcony. I sat back in my seat and rubbed my hands over my face.

"Kylie, " my mother said "Why didn't you tell us you were, coming home to work?!" My mother said thrilled.

"Because" I started the lump in my throat growing, if it hurt this much to think about leaving Patrick I knew it would be the wrong choice to leave him. "I'm not going, I mean, i'm...i'm not excepting the job offer, i'm staying here, with Patrick."

"Like hell you are!" My Dad yelled.

"Kylie you cant give up you career for a boy, this is not a joke," My mother said.

That was it, I had, had enough. My whole life I had worked to exhaustion to make everyone around me happy; parents, friends, teachers. But never me. Patrick made me happy.

"don't you think I know that mother!" I said sharply. "I love Patrick and right now he's out there alone and I need to go fix him, like he's fixed me so many times."

And it was true. Patrick had been my Superman since we started dating. Patrick saved me from my abusive ex boyfriend, Patrick told me how well I had played when my team lost the championship my senior year in college, and most of all Patrick taught me how to love.

"Patrick!" I yelled out on the balcony. He didn't turn around, he didn't say anything,he just stood their in his tux, hair pushed back by the wind, one hand in his pocket, one on the balcony rail.

I walked up behind him, and put a hand on his shoulder, "Patrick, I'm so sorry," I said pulling him into a hug, to my relief he pulled me in tight resting his head on mine. "I'm not taking it, I-"

"Kylie i'm not good enough for you" he said cutting me off. "You deserve someone smart, someone who went to college, I cant make you give this up for me. I've already moved you away from your family, and your friends. This is too much, you have to take this job." A tear rolled down his cheek.

"No Patrick," I said tearing up"I don't care if you went to college, or what team you play for, or where you play because I will follow you until the end of the Earth, just to be with you. I love you Patrick! And this stupid award, and these snobby people mean nothing to me." I took the pins out of my hair, and let the long, blonde locks flow around my shoulders. I took my heels of into my hands. "I hate formal parties and you know that so lets go home" I said laughing.
He laughed me before loosening his tux, and bow tie.

"Man I love you" he said turning to me.

"I love you too" I said as I kissed him on the cheek.






"

Notes

Kylie: