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THE CHECK PART 3

THE CHECK PART 3

You've been watching my house? I asked. He raised his hands up near his chest and started backing away. I had put too much ice in my voice. It wasn't directed at him, it was directed to Natalie. She just wasn't there to receive it.

I'm sorry, I was just trying to clean up the yard, Jared confessed, I see things. I tried to let it go and probably should have. His face was flushed and his eyes contrite. Retired old man with too much time on his hands, maybe I should get some cats. He continued backing away. It looked like he wished he could run away.

No, I said more calmly, you were right. I added a fake smile since I couldn't find a real one. I don't like hearing it, but it's something I should know. Thank you. He forced a smile and waved as he made a quick exit. It had embarrassed him greatly. I still had my arms crossed. I dropped them self consciously and struggled to lift the garage door.

Who is the boy? I asked Natalie. She was pulling chicken out of the oven.
What boy is that mom?

The boy, I said sternly. I put my hands on my hips and stood like a statue. Natalie glanced up and almost dropped the cooking tray. After yesterday, I didn't like interrogating her. Raising a teenager was like that. Bonding one day; at each other's throat the next. She put the tray on top of the stove. Her expression went to defiance, and then changed quickly to innocence.

Dan Sampson; he's a senior, Natalie said with a semblance of pride. My instincts got the better of me.

Are you sleeping with him? I hated myself when it came out of my mouth. I should have asked it like a friend. It sounded more like an accusation.

Mother, Natalie almost shouted. I stood there, my glare on full. I still wanted to know the answer. Fear of the answer, fear of a barrier between my daughter and fear of my own failure as a mother was running through my mind. No, she answered quietly. I saw her cheeks blush. But she wanted to. I sighed and let my shoulders relax.

You like him a lot, I stated calmly.

Yes I do.

Invite him for dinner this weekend, I want to meet him. I tried to sound non-judgmental. Natalie was growing up, and I either met these boys or she would date them behind my back. The latter seemed terribly awful. She caught me by surprise by diving into my arms.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Natalie said as she hugged me. She was so young, yet so old.
She was trying desperately to not need me. I was trying desperately to hold her back. I hated high school, as much now as I did during my own trip through. I separated from her and pulled some plates out of the cupboard.

Tell me all about him, I said as I began to set the table. Dan Sampson had a wonderful publicist in Natalie. Her face glowed as she sang his praises. Every attribute a young girl desired was embodied in the Greek god that was Dan Sampson. Tall, slim, and rich, and his own car, dances well and every other girl at school was green with envy. I had to smile. It was the same look she had at Christmas ten years ago. Tom had bought her a golden retriever puppy. Somehow, he had kept the dog quiet through the night and surprised Natalie in the morning. Scruffy, the dog, and Tom were both gone now. I really needed Tom back now.

Someone to counter the new Scruffy!

I don't like you and Dan being in the house alone, I said, after listening intently.

Would you rather we went somewhere else? Natalie asked. She was smart getting that from Tom. She knew I imagined, in my mind, some cheap hotel room or the back of his car. I couldn't control what she did after school. I could try, but knew it would be a losing battle. Without back up, I compromised.

You'll text me when he comes and again when he leaves. I had on my Mom face.

Natalie was smiling like she just won a gold medal. You will let Dan know that I know he is here and I like to meet him. She was nodding in agreement. This was no compromise, it was pure parental capitulation. How can a mother fight against the first real boyfriend? Tom would have put the fear of God in the boy. We talk before it gets serious, I added. I lost my virginity at seventeen. I didn't remember conferring with my mother about it.

Promise, Natalie said, putting her hand gently on her heart. I think she meant it. At least she meant it when she said it. Damn hormones. A strange thought entered my head.

How rich is his family? I asked. It caught Natalie off guard.

I don't like him because of his money, Natalie insisted. Of course she didn't, no woman is impressed by a man with money. I almost laughed, though it wasn't my intention to question her morals.

Someone paid off the mortgage. I qualified my question, I don't know who. Do you think it could have been his family?

I don't think his parents like me, Natalie replied. Someone paid off the mortgage? All I heard was his parents not liking my baby. That hurt.

What do you mean they don't like you? I asked quickly. Have you met them? I added. Why did they get to meet Natalie when I hadn't met Dan? What kind of mother am I?
I'm too young and don't hold, a royal title Natalie saying sarcastically. Dan told me not to worry about it. His mom doesn't think anyone is good enough. I didn't like Dan's mom, though she was correct, Natalie was too young.

Don't let anyone tell you you're not good enough, I said firmly. Natalie smiled. I panicked. That doesn't mean you should I mean that's not permission to I know what you mean, Natalie grinned. I promise, we'll talk if it gets serious. She was getting way too old. I was getting senile. Someone paid off the mortgage?

All of it, I answered, I don't know who or why.

That's good, isn't it?

Yeah, but it's a lot of money. I don't really know anyone with that kind of money. I shrugged my shoulders. I don't even know who to thank, or if it's some kind of joke or scam.

Natalie was true to her word. I received a set of texts every other day or so. Dan is here. Dan just left. I was hoping Dan, at least, thought I was hovering close by.

I met Dan on Saturday. He was an awkward boy to my mature eyes; Apollo to Natalie's.

Polite in my presence and didn't seem to hover over my daughter too much. Not a bad looking boy, but still a boy. Thank God. Overall, I was uncomfortably satisfied. It was the best I could do. She was still my baby.

It was Thursday when more revelations appeared. My no-longer-feared mailbox coughed up two checks in non-red-inked envelopes. It was two medical companies returning my last partial payments. The computer-generated invoice claimed I had overpaid; my unpaid balance was reduced to zero. I knew I should feel joy. Fear filled me instead.

I dialed into MasterCard's computer system and requested my balance. I wasn't surprised to find out I was flush with an overpayment. I did some quick math in my head. Over a quarter of a million dollars of new gifts I was shaking when Natalie came in the room.

Everything is paid off? Natalie asked, after I told her why I was scared.

I think so, I replied, still in shock.

Who is doing this? Natalie asked. I shook my head. This felt worse than when we found the back door broken in. I should be jumping for joy; instead I felt like I was losing control. It was someone who knew everything about me, about us. I was being 'un-raped' against my will. It was an anti-crime.

I spent the next hour combing the house. I was looking for hidden cameras that didn't exist. I think Natalie thought I was losing it. I knew I was. I couldn't even go to the grocery store without thinking someone might be following me. Whoever it was had replaced my debt with fear.

Everything Betty asked.

All of it, and it's getting really scary.

to be continued


By nutbuster
Written by nutbuster (D C)
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