45. Chelsi
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
chelsi
Driving through the suburbs on the northside of Atlanta, I’m equal parts nervous and excited to be headed home for the long holiday weekend with Alex.
It’s the first time he’s going to meet my parents—the first time I’ve ever brought a guy home.
Having a high-school boyfriend pick you up for a date doesn’t count, in my opinion.
This weekend is another major step forward in our relationship.
I know it’s going to result in questions from my parents, especially my mom.
They may be fairly laidback, compared to the parents of most millennials, but my mom has a sixth sense for rooting out the truth and predicting the future.
She also has the habit of not being able to keep her mouth shut, so God only knows what she’ll end up blurting out to Alex or the questions she may pose.
Shit. I should tell him more about her job. It’s bound to come up. She has a delightful way of bringing it into the conversation, even when no one wants her to.
Alex squeezes my thigh while he focuses on the road ahead. “What’s on your mind, gorgeous?”
I glance out the passenger window for a second, gathering my thoughts before facing forward again. “I’m glad you’re coming home with me for the holiday. I hope my parents aren’t too much. They’re wonderful, but they can be…a lot.”
Actually, that’s putting it mildly. How do I describe my parents without freaking him out?
Alex didn’t have the best upbringing and has mentioned several times how he’s struggled to understand family dynamics. He’s definitely not used to being cross-examined about his personal life like my parents are inclined to do.
Alex chuckles and gently pats my leg. “From everything Kate has shared, your mom and dad sound great.”
That’s easy for her to say because she’s always encountered a watered-down version.
I’ve always been adamant about how their typical banter wasn’t appropriate for my strait-laced best friend.
Miraculously, they would oblige whenever she came to visit or when they traveled to Chicago.
They’re not going to give my boyfriend the same luxury.
“So…Kate gets a slightly different version of my parents than you probably will.”
His brow crinkles as he white-knuckles the steering wheel. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you know my mom is a therapist.”
“Yeah. Are you worried she’s going to psychoanalyze me or something?”
“I wish. That would be less awkward,” I reply, wiping my sweaty palms on my bare legs.
“My mom is a sex therapist and has this weird obsession with openly talking about it with anyone she meets. It’s her life’s mission, or something, to improve everyone’s sex lives.
She can’t help herself and will ask a variety of questions you definitely don’t want to answer. Especially not to my mother.”
Alex’s hand on my thigh tenses as his jaw clenches. “Did not expect that.”
“Yeah. Probably should’ve told you sooner. Regretting that decision now.”
“A heads-up would’ve been nice. Not much we can do about it.” He pauses, letting out a deep breath. “Maybe I’ll just tell her all the places I’ve fucked her daughter in the last week and see whether that ends the conversation.”
I laugh loudly, not expecting Alex to be so brazen in his approach. “She’d probably love it and have a ton of questions for you. She loves to share advice on positions. She has a bunch of props she can bring out to demonstrate, too. Trust me, it’s not something you can ever unsee.”
I shake my head and shudder, remembering the one time my mom thought it was appropriate to tell me about the new sex position she and my dad tried the night before, and how it really helped him hit her G-spot.
Although I’m all for her and everyone else having a great sex life, I don’t want any details about what goes on between her and my dad.
“I’m sure it will be fine, Chelsi. There’s nothing she can do or say that will scare me away.” Alex quickly glances at me before focusing back on the road.
My shoulders relax, his words instantly calming me.
It’s hard to explain what it feels like to have a partner in your life who is so attuned to your emotional, mental, and physical needs.
Alex is always lightening my load without being asked.
Sometimes, without me even realizing it needs to happen until he does, and it’s like a weight is lifted off me.
I lace my fingers with his, resting our joined hands on my leg.
“Just blink twice if she crosses a line or starts talking about anything that makes you uncomfortable, and I’ll attempt to get her to back off.
Or enlist my dad for help. He’s an expert at redirecting the conversation.
Granted, he’ll bore us with the latest news in the financial markets, but I’ll take that over listening to my mom wane on about the new vibrators she found. ”
“So, your mom shares your interest in toys?” Alex asks, raising his eyebrows.
“You have no idea. When I turned sixteen, my dad gave me the keys to a car. My mom gifted me two vibrators because it was ‘never too young to start learning how to make yourself come.’”
Alex coughs loudly, attempting to clear his throat. “Excuse me? She gave you what?”
“What? Is it not normal for teenagers to get sex toys for their birthdays?” I tease, trying not to smirk. “You should fully expect to get some type of lube, toy, or book related to her profession for every gift-giving occasion, no matter how many times you’ve asked her to stop.”
“Thank God, Fourth of July isn’t a gift-giving holiday.”
“You never know with my mom. She likes to keep us all on our toes.”
Alex smiles. “Sounds like someone I know.” He pauses briefly. “In all seriousness, I don’t care what your parents do or what they ask me. They treat you with respect and love you unconditionally, which means we already have one thing in common.”
“Alex, Chelsi tells us that you’re in the Marine Corps Reserves,” my dad says, sitting across from us at the kitchen table. “How are you able to manage that with your day job? From what Chelsi shared, it sounds like running Jake’s tour is demanding.”
“I’m lucky to have a boss who understands my commitment to the military and gives me the time off to participate in our monthly and two-week annual trainings.”
My dad clears his throat, and his eyes focus on Alex. “Am I correct to assume you could be called up for active deployment at any time?”
“That’s right, sir.”
“Please, don’t call me sir. That’s my father, and he’s been dead for quite a while. I insist you call me Kevin,” my dad replies before taking a bite of chicken.
“Please don’t ever call me ma’am. I might wither and die if that were to happen,” my mom adds dramatically, placing her hand over her heart like she might faint if it were to actually occur.
“You’re welcome to call me Becky or Mom…
” She pauses, catching my gaze. “Rumor has it you’re pretty serious about my daughter, so I’m assuming you might become a permanent fixture in our family. ”
“Seriously, Mom? We’ve barely been here two hours, and you’re already poking about our future.”
My mom holds her hands up, acting all innocent. “I merely suggested a few options for how he could refer to me as something other than ma’am. That’s all.” She smiles and winks in my dad’s direction. “Happy to dig into some more personal questions if you’d like. Completely up to you and Alex.”
“Mom, I—”
Alex places his hand on my arm. “Let me handle this one, Chelsi.”
I nod, unsure whether Alex has any idea of what he’s about to get himself into, but I guess there is only one way to learn a hard lesson.
Alex locks eyes with my mom across the table.
“Yes, I’m planning a long-term future with Chelsi for as long as she’ll have me.
I know the seriousness of our relationship might seem fast, but I know without a shadow of a doubt, your daughter is the love of my life.
” Alex intertwines our fingers. “I plan to do whatever is necessary to make sure she feels loved and happy every day of the rest of her life.”
My mom nods, taking a sip of white wine. “I appreciate your commitment to Chelsi. She deserves a good man who appreciates the wonderful woman she is.”
“I agree with my wife. But I can’t pretend that I don’t have some concerns.
Although I admire your commitment to the military, I don’t love the idea of Chelsi having to experience the harsh realities of deployment or of having a future son-in-law who might be on the front lines one day.
Have you given any thought to how long you’re staying in the Reserves? ”
Alex swallows hard, his muscles tense slightly.
“I have a little over a year left on my current contract. That’ll put me at twenty years of service, total, and make me eligible for military retirement benefits, including long-term healthcare.
My plan has always been to retire from the military once I hit that mark. ”
My mom’s forehead crinkles. “Doesn’t Jake offer good health insurance? We always had the impression he went above and beyond for his team.”
“He does offer great benefits. There are just…some aspects of military insurance tied to retirement that are important to my situation.”
“Makes sense,” my dad replies, stabbing a piece of broccoli with his fork and eating it.
“Do you ever go back to your hometown? I know Chelsi mentioned you grew up in foster care, so I wasn’t sure whether or not you kept in touch with anyone,” my mom asks, glancing between Alex and me.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been back.
There’s not much reason for me to visit.
I didn’t have a close relationship with any of my foster families, only a few friends from high school who I occasionally talk to.
I try not to think too much about that time in my life,” Alex answers with a hint of sadness.
“I’m focused on my future and building a life with your daughter. She’s my priority.”
“You’re right, Chelsi. He’s incredible. I can see why you’ve fallen in love with him so quickly,” my mom replies with a smile.
“The only remaining question is how compatible the two of you are in the bedroom. My daughter has an adventurous nature and will need a partner who keeps sex spicy for her. I’m happy to provide some recommendations—”
“Oh my God, Mom! Stop talking!” I blurt out, covering my face with my hands.
Alex chuckles. “Don’t worry, Becky. I make sure Chelsi’s needs are well taken care of every night. Sometimes two or three times a day.”
“You’re not helping, Alex,” I groan.
My dad sighs. “I’d like to propose we switch to literally any other topic than this one. I can handle most things, but hearing about my daughter’s sex life is not one of them.”
“I agree, Dad. How are those financial markets?”