Unexpected

I wake up to a beautiful sunrise looking over our bed. I roll over and see Sid sleeping peacefully. Not wanting to disturb him, I quietly get out of bed and head to the bathroom. I take a quick shower and change. I put on a flowy cream colored dress with a tight bodice with a squared off neckline, not my usual taste but if I'm going to meet my man's family I better look nice and brown combat boots. I put on light make up and tie my hair up in a loose bun. I go to my luggage bag and get my anxiety/depression and migraine pills. I haven't told Sidney that I have to take the former pill just to function everyday. It got worse in college and after a near mental breakdown, I decided to just get the fucking thing. It's kind of hard to say, oh yeah I forgot to mention that I'm terribly depressed /anxious and I take pills to function so I don't want to die. I'll tell him, just not now.

I'm able to sneak past him, still in bed, and go downstairs to the kitchen. I just grab a bowl of cereal first because I'm lazy but then decide to make blueberry pancakes for him. I finish making them and make some bacon and coffee. I guess this wakes him up because I feel hands come around and hug me.

"Good mornin' sleepyhead!" I say leaning back into his thick frame.

"Good morning, love. You made breakfast?" Sidney mutters into the crook of my neck.

" Yup," I say as I put pancakes and bacon on a plate for him. He kisses me on the cheek and takes his food over to the breakfast nook.

"guess who we're seeing today?" He asks when I bring him over orange juice.

" The people who created you?" Sidney's face contorts into disgust.

" Oh lord, don't say it like that! Yes, my parents. And my sister too, she back home."

"I'm so excited , and nervous," I say sitting across from him.

"Hey, don't be!" Sidney says reaching for my hand. "I've already told them about you and they seem like they like you. Don't worry."

"Ok, I'll try not to. When are we going?"

"We can leave after I'm done eating. By the way, why aren't you eating?"

" I already ate and I hate big breakfasts because they make me nauseous."

"Really? You're so weird," Sidney teases.

" I know, thanks for reminding me. Is what I'm wearing ok to meet your parents?" I stand up and give a quick spin.

" You look lovely, love. You should be fine."

" I still wanted to be me even though I'm wearing something more girly than I would usually wear. Ugh! I'm so nervous!" Sidney stands and puts his arms around me.

"Like I said before, there's nothing to worry about. Just be yourself."

"maybe not too much of myself." I am far to nerdy, confrontational, defensive and opinionated. I know they can't handle this just yet.

"You know what I mean," he says laughing. I take the dishes and clean them off in the sink.

"I'm going to take a shower. To bad you already took one, maybe you could've helped me," Sid says with a pouty face. "I'm sorry I just wanted you to sleep. You worked hard last night."

"It was worth it," He grins and he kisses my forehead and goes up stairs. Shortly after he leaves, I grab my handbag from the coat closet and go outside to the backyard The yard is a decent size and I take off my heels before I walk over to the fence. There's a stone pathway through some trees leading to the dock and at the end there're two small speed boats. I take off my shoes and sit down with my feet in the water. I just sit there, kicking my feet it the water. Reaching into my bag, I pull out a twelve pack and a lighter. Another secret to hid from Sid.

I've been smoking on and off since middle school because I'm a delinquent and am constantly stressed. It's been months since my last drag. I hate myself for enjoying the way it makes me feel.

"It's really serene here huh?" someone asks me. I turn around startled, dropping my cigarette on the dock. I quickly put it out and throw it in my bag with the lighter.

"Jack!" I exclaim. I know he saw me or may smell the pungent odor of the death sticks. "What the fuck are you doing here? How'd you get in?"

" It's almost Sid's birthday and he let me in. How are you kid," he asks me.

" I'm not a kid and I'm well. Wow, why would he do that? He likes you are something?"

" Ha, ha, ha." Jack jokes. I grab my shoes and bags walk back towards the house with him

"Ha, ha, ha yourself," I fake laugh also and punch him on the left shoulder.

"Ouch! That hurts," he says rubbing his shoulder. " whatever you take harder hits than that almost every night."

" Hey can I ask you something?" Jack stops walking behind me and I know exactly what he's going to ask.

"Shoot," I say when I turn to face him. We've made it to the fence and I'm leaning against the door to keep me grounded.

"Do you smoke? You can't lie because I caught you," Jack states. I feel my chest swell up and I have to close my eyes and breathe steady before answering him.

"Please don't tell him."

"I won't, you will. Before the season starts. We'll get you help to quit ok?" His voice his determined and reassuring.

"Thank you," I manage to choke out.

"Let's go inside," Jack suggests, ushering me through the door. Inside, I go to the bathroom to wash and dry my feet, putting my pumps back on. I make my way to the living room and sit down next to Jack. Jack grabs the remote and changes the channel to baseball.

"Ready to go?" Sid asks me coming down the stairs. He's wearing a blue Henley and those fucking dark jeans again.

" Yup! Just waiting for you," I say as I lean my head upward to receive his kiss.

"Ew gross, who would want to kiss this piece of-" I cut Jack off. I know he's joking but I just can't handle it right now.

"HEY! Lay off my man, I can kill you. I've been using throwing knives and MMA f or the past five years to relieve stress. Fuck off." Sid looks at him the biggest eat shit face.

"Geez, no more making fun of Sid," Jack raises his hands in surrender as he moves farther away from me.

" No you can, I was just overreacting. But you now know what I can do."

" In my spare time, no big deal. Plus I tease him all the time so it's cool," I look at Sidney to receive an eye roll. He's almost getting as good as me.

"As much as I'd love to sit here and listen to you planning on harassing me, it's almost 10:30, and we should get going," Sid asks me.

"I agree, lets go," I say leaving the couch to walk toward the garage.

" I guess I'll have the house to myself," jack says propping his feet on the coffee table to make himself comfortable.

" Uh, no," Sid shoves Jacks feet off the table and snatches the remote to turn off the TV. "You're coming with us," Sid states. He as assumed a very captain like authority over Jack.

"What?" Jack and I yell at the same time.

" I don't trust him in our house."

"Did you say our house babe?" I just want to make sure I heard that clearly.

"We'll talk about this later. Can we go please?" Sidney says making a move for the garage. "Plus, Jack has volunteered to drive," Sid says when he tosses Jack the keys.

"What? I didn't agree to this!" Jack whines when he catches them.

"Maybe you shouldn't have come over, Jack!" I tell him. He grumbles something as he unlocks the doors to Sid's truck. Sidney helps me into the truck and takes shotgun.

"We're off to see Sid's parents!" Jack sings to the tune of "We're Off to See the Wizard." I might be sick.

Notes