by Ava Hunt
“This is the business world son and appearance means everything. You can’t be seen dating a girl who has no money and has never lived in a big city before. People will notice. No, what you need is to date a girl with money.”
Mark shook his head. This wasn’t a real conversation he was having with his parents. They never got involved with his relationships before. Why start now? “Listen to me Dad, I love Abigail and nothing can ever change that. Do you know how hard it was for us to be separated for all these months? It was torture for me and I never thought I’d see her again. Until she showed up at my office.”
“Wait, she showed up out of nowhere in your building? Did you ever think that maybe this girl is only after your money?” Martha interrupted. “I mean think about it. She has hardly any money to her name and yet she travels all the way over here to be with you. Sounds like she wants to only be with you because you’re rich.”
“It’s not like that at all. You have no idea how much of a hard worker she is. She even takes on extra shifts at the diner she works at to get more money. She’s not after me for my money.” Mark was losing his patience with his parents.
“Are you sure about that? I mean how well do you really know this girl?” Martha worried about her son and his choices in women.
“Enough to know that she would never hurt me or use me like my ex-girlfriends in the past have. Why am I even explaining this to you?” Mark tried to keep his anger under control. He couldn’t believe that his parents were dictating his life at his age. He was a grown man, he didn’t bring Abigail to meet them to get their approval. He wanted them to meet the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He loved Abigail and no one, not even his parents, could change how he felt.
“Mom, Dad, I’m sorry you feel that way and don’t believe Abigail isn’t using me. But you don’t know her like I do. And I love her and I hope one day for her to be my wife.”
“Let’s not jump to any hasty decisions. You don’t know for sure she’s the girl you’ll marry.” Martha wanted her son’s mind off of Abigail. Maybe with her being back home, they’d never see each other again.
“I’m dead set on my decision. Now if you don’t mind, I would like to get some rest since I have to go back to work tomorrow and today was a long day.” Mark opened the door. He hated kicking his parents out of his apartment, but if they stayed any longer, he was afraid he’d say something to them he would soon regret.
*****
Abigail arrived back home and was greeted by her mother at the airport. “Mom, what are you doing here?” She never told her parents she went to New York and hoped they wouldn’t have found out.
“Do you know how worried I was when I stopped by your place and saw that you weren’t home? And then you weren’t answering your phone.”
“Sorry about that, I didn’t have my phone on most of the time.” That was a lie, but Abigail wasn’t going to let her mother know. She saw the missed calls, but she didn’t want it to ruin her time with Mark. “But how did you find out I’d be here?”
“Your manager, Oscar. When I couldn’t get a hold of you I called the diner and he told me. He assumed you told me everything. I made it like I forgot what you told me because I didn’t want him to think you couldn’t be trusted and have you lose the job. But what were you thinking sneaking off to a strange city without telling me or your father?”
“Mom, I can explain everything.”
“You can bet that you will. You flew to be with some city boy that your father and I never met?!”
“I know Mark. I met him when he was here for business and we dated the whole week. He’s my boyfriend…”
“No!” Audrey was furious. “I will pretend I didn’t hear you say that.”
“Say what? That Mark is my boyfriend? Well he is Mom and you can’t do anything about it. I’m a grown woman who can date who she wants!” Abigail never got mad before, especially not to either of her parents. Once she started, she couldn’t stop the words from coming out of her mouth. “I love him and he loves me. Yes, I know it was wrong for me to leave without telling you and Dad so that you two wouldn't worry, but I knew it was a chance worth taking. Especially in the name of love.”
Audrey laughed. “You really think you’re in love? With this guy? Abby dear...he’s not right for you. You need to date a country boy.”
“How many times do I have to tell you, I want to be called Abigail. Abby was my nickname as a kid. I know to you and Dad I’m still your little girl, but it has to stop. I am old enough to make my own decisions and I have. Mark and I are in a relationship whether you like it or not.”
Abigail shook her head. “Come on, your Dad is in the car outside waiting. We’re going to take you home with us and then have a serious talk. Maybe you can even live at home again, wouldn't that be nice Abby?”
“There is nothing left for us to talk about. I just want to go back to my place and unpack and get to sleep.” Abigail couldn’t believe her parents were treating her like a child.
“Fine we’ll go to your place, but your father and I still want to talk to you.” Audrey walked out of the airport with Abigail slowly following.
Abigail got into her father's car, slamming the door shut. “You will show us respect!” Peter, her father, exclaimed as soon as she inside. He must have seen the back and forth of her and her Mother before getting into the car.
“Sorry,” she mumbled. It never failed that when she was around her folks she felt small and silent.
“This is exactly what I was talking about with you inside. This Mark fellow is bad news. I mean look at the attitude you have towards us now. And that was after a weekend staying with him in the city. I don’t trust him.”
“It’s not Mark’s fault that you and Dad are being unreasonable! Want to know why I’m acting like this? Because you just embarrassed me in the airport when you demanded I come home with you. I am an adult and can do what I want. I’m not that little girl you forced to be in beauty pageants anymore. Do you really think I enjoyed those, because I never did. That’s why once I started college I retired from competing. If it was up to me, I would’ve quit after the first one you signed me up for. You’re just mad that for the first time in my life I’m making my own choice and it’s not something you like."
“Abigail Yates you will not speak to us with that tone of voice! We are your parents and you will treat us how we are supposed to be treated. Now we will discuss this more once we get to your place.” Audrey said and Abigail knew to keep her mouth shut.
She couldn’t believe how her parents were acting. Never before did they tell her who she should date. Then again, she dated boys who were the sons of their friends. Even when it came to her love life she wasn’t given a choice. Not anymore. Abigail demanded to be treated as an adult who had her own mind. She was glad she took off and flew to New York without telling her parents. She took charge of her life for once and it felt good to know she could do whatever she challenged herself to do.
There had to be something about Mark that made them uncomfortable, she just had to find out what.
Abigail didn’t know how much longer she could stand living in this town. Once she got a taste of the city life, country living seemed boring. Added to the fact that Mark was nowhere near made living here even worse. She needed to make a new plan, one that included leaving this place and never looking back. Sitting in the back of her parents’ car she sighed, wishing she had enough money to pack all her belongings and move to New York City. Leaving without leaving any word and disappearing without a trace, she’d be able to spend her life with Mark without anyone getting in her way.
Back at her place, her parents sat silent on the sofa waiting for the right moment.
After a while, Audrey sighed and began, "Abigail. We know."
"Know what, Mother?" she asked, genuinely confused.
"Mark's a bear shifter isn't he? Those people aren't right, honey, do you realize they shift into wild animals? What if he tore you apa
rt? What if he's....violent!"
Abigail was thoroughly confused, "How did you know that?"
"Honey, while we were talking to Oscar he mentioned a few things; Mark's wild eyes, his brawn, how he acted around you. I've only known a few bear shifters in my day, and they were just like that. I put two and two together and, well, I don't like it, neither does your Father."
"Mother, I swear to you, Mark is not violent."
*****
Later that week after returning home, Abigail went back to work at the diner. Oscar was in his office making up the schedule for the month when he noticed a difference in Abigail’s availability. “Abigail, can I speak to you for a second?”
Taking off her apron, she walked into the back office. “Sure Oscar. Is something wrong?”
“I’m getting ready to make the schedule for next month and I saw you put that you’re available to work seven days a week and all hours during the day? Is that some kind of mistake? Because I know every worker wants at least two days off.”
“No mistake. I want you to know that in case someone calls out, you can get me to come and cover. I need to take on as many shifts as possible.”
Oscar knew Abigail was a hard worker. But she was going to work herself to death if she didn’t take any time off. “Is it money matters because of the little vacation you took a few weeks ago?”
“It’s nothing like that Oscar. I had enough money to pay for that trip. It’s just that I need to raise more money for myself. I thought long and hard about this, but I made a decision that is going to change my life forever.”
“And what would this decision be? If you don’t mind telling me.”
After what happened with her parents the day she arrived back home, Oscar seemed to be more of a father to Abigail than her own father. She knew she could tell him her plans and he wouldn’t see anything crazy with what she was thinking.
“Well I’ve been thinking, I really enjoyed my time with Mark in New York and I loved the city life. It was something I never experienced before. My parents on the other hand aren’t fond of him and don’t think I should see him again. I think they’re wrong, but of course I’m not going to tell them that. Last time I spoke my mind against what they wanted me to do, it was a full blown fight at my house. Enough is enough and I’ve made my decision. I need to move to New York. That’s why I want more shifts here. I have to make enough money to not only fly out there but to find myself a place to live. I mean I’m sure Mark would have me live with him, but I don’t want to sound needy or pushy.”
A smile slowly appeared Oscar’s face and Abigail knew she did the right thing telling him her plans. “Well as much as I would hate to lose you because you are the best waitress I ever had work for me, I would never stand in the way of true love.”
“You mean you think I should go through with my plan? I have to say, this is a surprise because I know if I told my parents this, they’d probably board up my house so I wouldn’t be able to get out.”
“I definitely think you should save up your money and move to New York. I never saw you as happy as you are now when you talk about Mark. It’s obvious you two are meant to be together. I even picked up a different tone in your voice the day he walked in here for the first time and you met. That’s a bond you don’t find very often nowadays. But of course I’ll schedule you more shifts if that is what you want. But I also don’t you working yourself too hard. If you want time off, tell me.”
“Oh I will Oscar. Thank you so much.” Abigail walked out of the office. Oscar was going to help her get enough money to start her new life in New York. She couldn’t wait for everything to fall in place. She didn’t want to tell Mark her plan, afraid she may jinx herself and something would go wrong. But at the moment, everything was going according to plan. Sooner or later, she and Mark would be spending their lives together.
Chapter Six
Mark sat at his desk in his office. His parents hadn’t let up on trying to convince him of dumping Abigail and he couldn’t take it anymore. His mind wasn’t on his work anymore, even Jacob had noticed. He was making a plan, one that would make him happy.
It had been a month since Abigail returned home and he missed her terribly each and every day. This time he had kept his promise and they talked on the phone all the time. He sensed in her voice she was unhappy and it broke his heart. She didn’t sound like the carefree happy girl who he spent the weekend with. He was determined to get back together with Abigail and have no one get in his way.
Quitting time came and Mark went to Jacob’s office. “Did you get my message?”
Jacob got up from behind his desk and walked towards the door. “I did. And as sad as it was, I know this is what you need to do. You’re my best friend, I’ve known you all my life and I have never seen you as happy before. Abigail is the girl for you.”
Mark smiled, relieved that Jacob wasn’t going to try and change his mind. “Thanks, I’m glad you understand why I’m doing this. Now the hard part is telling my parents that I’m leaving New York.”
“I take it that they don’t like Abigail. I mean you introduced me to her that weekend and I thought she was a lovely girl.”
“My parents are the only ones who don’t see her like that. They think she’s using me for my money,” Mark rolled his eyes. “I don’t want you to worry that I’m leaving you in a bind. I’ll be here for the rest of the month before I leave. It’s going to take time for me to get everything in order.”
“Mark, I don’t want you to worry about a thing. Take whatever time off you need. It’s been a pleasure working with you all these years.” The two men said goodbye and Mark left to go home.
Walking into his apartment, he sighed looking at how much work needed to be done. He may as well start packing now so that he wouldn’t have much left when the time came for him to move. Mark was putting in a pile his belongings that he absolutely had to take with him to the country when there was a knock on the door.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” Mark opened the door.
“Can’t I come to visit my son?” She looked around and saw boxes in the living room. “Cleaning out your place?”
“I guess in a way you could say that,” Mark said going back to put his stuff in boxes.
Martha eyes her son suspiciously. “If I didn’t know any better, I would say that you’re moving.”
Mark turned to his mother, “It’s nothing set in stone yet. Just an idea I’m toying around with.” He wasn’t going to give away too much to his mother about his move to New York. In fact, he wasn’t planning on telling his parents that news until he was in the airport getting ready to board his flight. Plus, he still hadn’t finalized his plan to move yet.”
“Well Mark, this is kind of sudden. I mean don’t you think you should’ve talked about this to your father and me?”
“Why should it matter to you two where I live? Is it because of all the girls you’ve been setting me up with as date? Because mom I told you after the last blind date, I don’t want you or dad to set me up with any more girls because I have a girlfriend.”
“You’re not going back to this again are you? Abigail isn’t your girlfriend. She was a little fling you had back when you were in her hometown and then when she came here. It’s nothing serious.”
“Nothing serious?! Mom, Abigail is the girl that I plan to marry. When are you and dad going to get that through your heads?”
“How serious can the two of you be when you live miles apart? And you want to marry her? That’s going to be interesting since you’ve never proposed to her and will probably never see her again.”
“That’s what you think,” Mark said going back to his packing. He wished his mother would get the hint and just leave. If she stayed any longer, he didn’t think he’d be able to keep his secret any longer. Maybe it would be better to tell his mother, take the yelling that would surely happen, and sneak off when he could before she could get his father to stop him from getting on the plane.
“I did come to tell you I had another date for you set up. But I guess from your reaction earlier, you don’t want to be a part of that.”
“That’s the first thing you’ve said today that is right.” Mark groaned. “Mom, please understand. I want you and dad to stay out of my love life. Once and for all please let me just live my life!”
“Mark we only have your best interest at heart.”
Mark shook his head in disbelief. “No, you don’t. Because if you did, you wouldn’t be interfering.” He sighed. “Mom, I’m moving to the country.”
Martha laughed. This had to be some kind of joke. Her son who was born and raised in the city was going to give it all up to live in a small town all because of a girl. “I must say Mark, you really got me. I understand this was your idea of a joke as a way to get even with your father and me.”