call as soon as I slam the front door. It took me twenty minutes to clear my head enough that I could drive home. I wanted to kiss Wyn so bad and I’d been so close to leaning in and taking what I wanted from her. But I can’t do that. With her, I have to keep my head and take my time. She’s like a timid little deer and if I move too fast, it’ll scare her off for good, and that’s the last thing I want to happen.
“Yeah, it’s me, Mom.” I call back.
“Come tell me how the volunteering went.”
I walk into our family room where Mom is curled up on the couch watching her favorite program. She pauses the show and pats the seat beside her. I kick off my shoes and slide under the throw cover to lean against her side.
“So, how did you like it?” She asks as she puts her arm around my shoulders. Ever since I told her about the meeting with the counselor, she’s been unsuccessfully hiding the fact that she wants me to change my mind about enlisting. She stands by my dad’s decision to be a career soldier, but it doesn’t change the fact that she’s worried about losing him to the war. She’s explained to me many times that she doesn’t want to see that life for me or my future family. So she’s using my crush on Wyn to push college. I’m trying not to get her hopes up because I know enlisting is the right decision for me, but I can’t make myself break her heart.
“It was nice.”
“Come on, tell me more. I’ve been home all evening by myself and I want to hear more. Did the girl like the cupcake?”
“Yeah, she loved it.” I state with a smile on my face. The memory of Wyn’s face lighting up at the sight of that little confection made my heart flutter. It was something so small, but she looked like I’d given her a priceless diamond.
“What’s her name?” My mom asks, returning my smile.
“Arwyn, but everyone calls her Wyn.”
“That’s a beautiful name. When will you bring her to meet your old mom?”
“As soon as I can talk her into a date, I’ll bring her by to meet you.” I promise.
“Has she turned you down?” She asks confused.
“I haven’t asked yet; it’s a unique situation.”
“Explain.” She demands in that mother voice that no kid can deny.
“Have you ever heard of the Romani?” I ask on a sigh.
“As in the gypsies?” She asks, her brow creased in confusion.
“Yep.” I answer.
“Is this girl a gypsy?” She asks, pulling away to sit up a little straighter.
“Yes. But Mom, she isn’t like what you’re thinking.” I rush to clarify before she makes the wrong assumptions.
“I’m not saying she is, Lincoln.” She meets my eyes. “It’s just that I’ve heard the stories about how wild some of them can get.”
“Mom, she’s not like that at all. She’s sweet and caring. She’s volunteered at that children’s center since she was a kid herself and she also tutors at the school. I swear you’re going to adore her when you meet her.” I defend Wyn.
“Ok, ok. Calm down. I shouldn’t judge her on rumors I’ve heard about other people.” She pats my hand. “I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt, but you still need to be careful. Just because Wyn is accepting of you, doesn’t mean the rest of her family will be.”
“I’ll be careful, Mom. You don’t have to worry about me.” I lean in and kiss her on the temple.
“It’s part of my job as Mom.” She tells me as she pats my cheek.
I lean back into her side and she un-pauses her show. I pull out my cell phone, telling myself I need to make sure Wyn made it home alright when I really just want to hear from her.
Linc: Did u make it home ok?
I expected her to ignore my text after the awkward way we left things in the car, but to my pleasant surprise, she responds immediately.
Wyn: Yeah. U?
Linc: Yeah. Sorry I didn’t say bye.
I stare at the TV in a daze as I wait for her response. I hope she isn’t mad. It was rude of me not to say something
“Yeah, it’s me, Mom.” I call back.
“Come tell me how the volunteering went.”
I walk into our family room where Mom is curled up on the couch watching her favorite program. She pauses the show and pats the seat beside her. I kick off my shoes and slide under the throw cover to lean against her side.
“So, how did you like it?” She asks as she puts her arm around my shoulders. Ever since I told her about the meeting with the counselor, she’s been unsuccessfully hiding the fact that she wants me to change my mind about enlisting. She stands by my dad’s decision to be a career soldier, but it doesn’t change the fact that she’s worried about losing him to the war. She’s explained to me many times that she doesn’t want to see that life for me or my future family. So she’s using my crush on Wyn to push college. I’m trying not to get her hopes up because I know enlisting is the right decision for me, but I can’t make myself break her heart.
“It was nice.”
“Come on, tell me more. I’ve been home all evening by myself and I want to hear more. Did the girl like the cupcake?”
“Yeah, she loved it.” I state with a smile on my face. The memory of Wyn’s face lighting up at the sight of that little confection made my heart flutter. It was something so small, but she looked like I’d given her a priceless diamond.
“What’s her name?” My mom asks, returning my smile.
“Arwyn, but everyone calls her Wyn.”
“That’s a beautiful name. When will you bring her to meet your old mom?”
“As soon as I can talk her into a date, I’ll bring her by to meet you.” I promise.
“Has she turned you down?” She asks confused.
“I haven’t asked yet; it’s a unique situation.”
“Explain.” She demands in that mother voice that no kid can deny.
“Have you ever heard of the Romani?” I ask on a sigh.
“As in the gypsies?” She asks, her brow creased in confusion.
“Yep.” I answer.
“Is this girl a gypsy?” She asks, pulling away to sit up a little straighter.
“Yes. But Mom, she isn’t like what you’re thinking.” I rush to clarify before she makes the wrong assumptions.
“I’m not saying she is, Lincoln.” She meets my eyes. “It’s just that I’ve heard the stories about how wild some of them can get.”
“Mom, she’s not like that at all. She’s sweet and caring. She’s volunteered at that children’s center since she was a kid herself and she also tutors at the school. I swear you’re going to adore her when you meet her.” I defend Wyn.
“Ok, ok. Calm down. I shouldn’t judge her on rumors I’ve heard about other people.” She pats my hand. “I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt, but you still need to be careful. Just because Wyn is accepting of you, doesn’t mean the rest of her family will be.”
“I’ll be careful, Mom. You don’t have to worry about me.” I lean in and kiss her on the temple.
“It’s part of my job as Mom.” She tells me as she pats my cheek.
I lean back into her side and she un-pauses her show. I pull out my cell phone, telling myself I need to make sure Wyn made it home alright when I really just want to hear from her.
Linc: Did u make it home ok?
I expected her to ignore my text after the awkward way we left things in the car, but to my pleasant surprise, she responds immediately.
Wyn: Yeah. U?
Linc: Yeah. Sorry I didn’t say bye.
I stare at the TV in a daze as I wait for her response. I hope she isn’t mad. It was rude of me not to say something
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