Chapter 33 Austin - Surprise Visitor
Chapter 33
Austin - Surprise Visitor
O n Thursday evening, the doorbell rang. I grabbed my wallet and headed upstairs to pay the pizza delivery guy. But when I opened the door, no pizza guy.
Mom.
And she had a suitcase.
“Mom! What are you doing here?” I couldn’t hide my shock.
“You haven’t been returning my phone calls. I figured you couldn’t ignore me this way.”
I stepped onto the porch with her and hugged her tightly. “I’m happy to see you!” She couldn’t see my eyes get misty over her shoulder. “Are you AWOL from the bank? How did you get out?” I teased. My heart burst with happiness. “Come in, come in.” I stepped to the side and let her enter the house first. I grabbed her suitcase.
“This is a nice little home, Austin.” She assessed the living room. We had recently upgraded our yard sale finds and purchased furniture from a consignment store for the living room: a chocolate leather sectional sofa, a scarlet recliner, and an oval cherry wood coffee table positioned around a colorful abstract rug with coordinating drapes. The enormous TV I wanted hung on the wall across from the sofa. In the dining area sat Sydney’s favorite find: a retro 50s-style table with metal trim around the Formica top and metal legs. The four chairs were hot tamale-red leather with round metal rivets around the seams. She found it on Facebook Marketplace and got a heckuva deal. We didn’t use the table much unless we had company. Sydney and I usually ate in front of the TV or on the bar stools at the kitchen counter.
“Sydney gets all the credit for decorating. I just opened my wallet.” She wanted to make things feel comfortable without paying a decorator. I wasn’t picky, but I was relieved that she didn’t decorate in florals.
“I assumed you were still using lawn chairs and had a black-and-white TV on top of a cardboard box. This is a relief for your mom,” she quipped as she touched my arm. “Is it okay that I’m here? I can go down the road to the Holiday Inn. Just say the word.”
“Don’t even think about it. My mother taught me a thing or two about Southern hospitality. I will not hear of such nonsense. In fact, while we were at Wal-Mart last week, Sydney insisted we buy a queen-size comforter with sheets and pillows for our air mattress. That’s an awful coincidence right about now.” I scratched my head. “Huh. It’s like she knew you were coming .”
Wendy didn’t respond to my thinly veiled accusation. “I’ve never been to the west coast. Did you know that?”
“No, I did not. It’s kind of surprising, given all the conferences you’ve attended. Would you like me to show you around tomorrow?”
The doorbell rang again.
“That must be the pizza guy. Hold on.” I answered the door and paid for the pizza. “Are you hungry, Mom? There’s plenty for all of us. Sydney should be home any minute now. She has Samson in an advanced obedience class on Thursday evenings.”
“I could eat a slice or two,” she responded. “Should we wait for Sydney?”
As if on cue, the front door opened, and Samson plowed his way to his water dish in the kitchen. Sydney followed behind him, carrying grocery bags. “Hi, Mrs.—I mean Wendy! This is a surprise!”
I cut her off with a scowl. “Can it with the fake surprise. That’s a bunch of malarky. ”
Her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened, but then she burst into laughter. “I thought it would be nice for your mom to visit,” she got out in between fits. “Not sorry.”
I couldn’t be mad at her for this. I didn’t realize how much I missed my momma until she stood here. “The pizza has arrived. I will get the paper plates if you pour drinks.”
“Deal.” Sydney stepped over to the cabinet and took out three glasses. “Is sweet tea okay? Made with Splenda. It’s almost as good as the real thing.” She dropped several ice cubes into each glass and poured the tea over them.
“Should we sit at the table?” I asked as I held the pizza box in my hands.
“We paid for it. We might as well use it,” Sydney quipped.
The three of us sat around the table, talking as we ate. Samson got morsels from Sydney, as usual. She didn’t spoil him, though. I admired her balance of showing love and insisting on discipline. We bounced around ideas for where I should take my mom tomorrow. I invited Sydney to come with us, but she politely declined, citing a lunch date with Venus that she couldn’t cancel.
Later, while my mom brushed her teeth, I got out the freshly washed linens and made the bed for her. As I finished, she came out in her robe and pajamas. She seemed older than when I had left a year ago. I stepped to the doorway and leaned against it. “I’m glad you’re here. We’re going to have fun tomorrow.”
Her eyes got twinkly. “I know, sweetie. I can’t wait.” She raised up on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. “Good night.”
“Good night, Mom.” I closed the door behind me.
I found Sydney in the kitchen, putting our glasses in the dishwasher. “You called my mom?”
She didn’t answer.
I stood next to her. “You called my mom? I can’t believe you.”
“I thought you could use a little TLC that only a mom can provide. You can kill me after she leaves if you don’t agree.” She glanced sideways at me .
“Your obituary is going to be your greatest hit. You’ve got a lot of nerve, Sydney.”
She crooked her finger, indicating I should lower my face to hers. When I did so, she touched her nose to mine. “Yes. I do. And I’d do it again.” Then she licked the tip of my nose and left me standing in the kitchen, dumbfounded. What did this woman do with my friend? I shook my head and went to check the lock on the front door before heading down to my room for the night.
I intended to make breakfast for my mom and Sydney. But I could smell coffee and bacon as I came up the stairs. My mom stood facing the stove. The table held three place settings, with little glasses of orange juice and a carafe of coffee waiting. I watched as she expertly flipped a pancake in the air. She hummed along with the song on the radio and didn’t hear me as I approached her.
I reached around her and grabbed her in a bear hug. “Good morning! What do you think you’re doing, woman?”
She shrieked in surprise. “I’m making breakfast, you beast. My body clock is at least two hours ahead of yours, don’t forget. I stayed up way past my bedtime last night.”
I let her go. “That’s right. I forgot. You didn’t have to make us breakfast. That’s my job. You’re my guest.”
“Obviously you’re too late now. Will you go tell Sydney that breakfast is ready? I’m about to put everything on the table.”
“I can do that.” Taking the stairs two at a time, I knocked on Sydney’s bedroom door. “Breakfast is served if you want some. My mom made it. Get up, lazybones.”
I hurried back downstairs and whisked the plates of bacon and pancakes out of my mom’s hands. “The syrup is in the cabinet.”
When Sydney and Samson came downstairs, she let Samson go outside to do his business then stood there running her hands through her hair to tame her bedhead. I couldn’t help but smile—she still had pieces sticking out at weird angles. Gotta say, it was endearing.
“Wendy, you shouldn’t have done this,” Sydney gushed. “It smells wonderful, thank you. ”
Samson was back inside quickly, then we humans all tucked into our feast: chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, coffee, and fresh orange juice. The silverware clanked against our plates as we devoured our food.
Sydney leaned back in her chair. “Everything tasted delicious. Thank you, Wendy. I’ll clean up. You two can get started on your day.” She tapped my shoulder as she passed me. “Don’t forget to let your mom dip her toes in that frigid water we call the Pacific.”
“It’s at the top of my list,” I promised.
Mom stood. “Give me five minutes to brush my teeth and put on sneakers, then I’m ready.” She disappeared upstairs.
Sydney started collecting plates for the dishwasher. “Have a wonderful time with your mom. I’m going into the studio to work with the hive. Then lunch with Venus. I’m assuming you won’t be home for dinner.”
“Assume away. But yes, I have big plans for Mom today.” I whispered my plans in her ear. After my mom went to bed last night, I texted Derek and asked him a few questions about a local attraction that he frequented with his wife and kids. Online reservations were quick and painless. I hoped my mom would like the surprise.
We hopped in my car, and I put the sunroof down. Mom chattered about work and the animals at home. She didn’t mention Kevin and I hesitated to bring him up. I didn’t want to hit a nerve if things had gone badly.
Wendy asked, “How has your job been going? You don’t talk about it much. I don’t want you to think I’m prying.”
“Sydney and I work in a group of five songwriters, and we get assignments from upstairs, in addition to coming up with our own ideas. Jack, Crissy, and Marcus are all talented in their own ways, and I’ve been enjoying the collaborative process.”
“What about your song for that soundtrack? Did they select a release date for that movie yet?”
I shook my head. “No, and it’s frustrating. Venus gives us updates, but there have been shooting delays. Last I heard, it might happen it over Memorial Day weekend next year.”
“Wow. That seems like a long time from now.” She pushed her hair out of her eyes and watched the scenery. “By the way, where are we going? I got busy flapping my jaws and forgot to ask.”
“It’s a surprise, but in a few minutes I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Watch the billboards and signs. ”
I kept driving, and sure enough, signs appeared along the road. My mom remarked, “They sure know how to advertise for Disney out here.” I chuckled under my breath. My mom manages dozens of people every day, but she could be completely oblivious.
She finally saw the sign for the Disneyland Resort. “No way! No way! Austin James, are we going to Disneyland?” She shrieked and did a little dance in her seat. “Yes! We’re going to Disneyland! This is exciting!”
I nodded. “I hoped you’d figure it out on your own. Bravo, Mom! I know you love Disney movies, and this seemed like the perfect choice. Am I right?”
She reached over and tried to hug me. “Ohmigod! This is the best surprise ever! Except for me showing up to surprise you.” She gripped her fists in front of her chest and squeezed her eyes shut tight. “I’m so happy I could burst!”
We parked and walked to the nearest tram stop. “I’ve never been here, but my friend Derek had two pieces of advice: don’t try to do it all, and stay to watch the nighttime parade. Are you ready to have fun?”
“I hope I’m tall enough to ride all the rides. Short joke. Couldn’t help it.”
I love that my mom has an excellent sense of humor.
We hit the turnstiles and went full tilt all day long. We picked out mouse ears and got our picture taken in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle. I texted it to Sydney with the caption Wish You Were Here .
Late in the afternoon, we took a break to eat Mickey-shaped soft pretzels and to re-hydrate for the rest of the day. Mom seemed to have something on her mind as she stared at the castle in the distance.
“You okay, Mom?”
She smiled and focused on me. “Of course. I just got sidetracked.”
I knew her too well to buy that. “Spill, Wendy.”
She looked away again. “I had other plans this weekend that fell through, and I decided to come visit you instead. Sydney was in on it. She made sure you didn’t have work commitments for the next few days.”
“What kind of plans? Travel? You never mentioned anything.”
“Austin, what did you expect? You barely ever call, and I usually leave texts and messages for a ghost son. I had plans to go away with Kevin for a romantic long weekend in Philadelphia. We were going to see historical sites, go to the art museum, and run up the Rocky steps. He booked a beautiful suite in a bed and breakfast. I was looking forward to it.”
“What happened? Did you find out he has a wife?” I started to get angry.
She wagged her finger. “No, there’s no wife. Two days before, he just pulled the rug out. He didn’t give me much to work with. I asked him if he had someone else, and he said, ‘Not right now.’ Austin, I can’t take another man who doesn’t want me. I’m devastated right now, but I will recover.” She put her hands on top of mine. “I’m right where I’m supposed to be—here with you.”
I bristled. “Do I need to kick his ass? I will. Say the word.”
She gripped my hand. “Not necessary. He’s going to do that later when he realizes what he threw away because he got scared.” She stood. “Are you ready for more rides? I am.”
The day went by too quickly. As Derek suggested, we capped off our day by watching the Main Street Electrical Parade. Chip and Dale came over and kissed her when she waved enthusiastically to them. I managed to act fast and snap a photo of them together. Mom’s genuine thrill at seeing all the characters gave me such a charge. I can’t remember the last time Mom and I acted like kids. I didn’t want it to end.
I drove Mom to the airport on Sunday. I missed her, and I didn’t want her to leave. But like Cinderella’s spell, nothing lasts forever. She got serious with me about halfway to the terminal drop-off. She faced me, and the wind from having the top down on my car caused her short curls to cover the left side of her face.
“Austin, I know you’re struggling. I want to help you, but I can’t do that if you won’t let me. I don’t want you to get in trouble. Most employers don’t want to deal with shenanigans with drinking and drugs. Please talk to me or someone you trust. My job is not to judge you. I am your mother, and I love you unequivocally. Take my advice and keep your nose clean. Your life will be easier that way. I’m not saying you won’t have issues, but drinking and drugs creates all kinds of problems. I don’t want that for you. ”
At the terminal, I pulled up to the curb. I yanked her suitcase out of the trunk and gave her a bear hug. She had a point, yes, but I was way too old for lectures.
“I love you to the moon,” she breathed up towards my ear.
“And back.” I heard the catch in my voice. She took the handle of her suitcase and disappeared into the crowd. I’d never felt more alone than I did at that moment. I needed a drink, and I pointed my car toward the nearest club.