Kristie Cook - Promise

At the slower speed, the ride was spectacular. The sun shone brightly in the clear October sky and the smell of oily warmth rose off the pavement. After a while, we crossed the causeway to Gasparilla Island. I rested my chin on Tristan's shoulder as we cruised along the tree-lined boulevard, catching an occasional glimpse of the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the bay on the other, between the large houses. We rode through the quaint little town of Boca Grande, which reminded me a lot of Cape Heron. He stopped the bike in a parking lot at the end of the island and we gazed over the sugary sand and steel-blue water as pelicans dive-bombed for their dinner. Two dolphins jumped and twisted in the air, playing with each other.

"Nice, huh?" Tristan asked.

"Perfect," I breathed. I was still close against him, my arms wrapped around his waist. He held my hands in front of him.

"Let's take a walk and stretch our legs, then I'll take you out to dinner."

As we rode down my street later, sadness grew within me, knowing our perfect day was coming to a close. Night had fallen and the street was quiet except for the Harley's distinct rumble. As we pulled in front of the cottage and I saw Mom's car in the driveway and a light on inside, I was sadder still that our perfect weekend was over. We both took a deep breath and sighed heavily after he cut the engine, knowing the next few minutes, at least, wouldn't be pleasant. I leaned against the backrest, not wanting to get off yet.

"Do you know why she doesn't like me?" Tristan asked.

"No, not really."

He was quiet for a moment, then said, "I'm sure she's worried about you because she loves you. And she has valid reasons for feeling the way she does, so you should probably listen to her."

That sounded like a warning. Of what, I wasn't sure and I didn't want to know. Not now.

I leaned my forehead against his back and whispered, "Please don't."

"Don't what? Don't be honest?" His voice was low and heavy.

I sighed. Why should we start now? But that's not what I'd meant.

"Tristan, I don't know what will happen as soon as we walk in there. I've never seen her like this. But I had an amazing weekend with you and that's how I want to leave it. Let her be the one to ruin it. Not you. Please?"

He didn't respond right away.

"Understood," he finally said. I reached my arms around him and he took my hands in each of his and gave them a squeeze. "Just one thing, though. Just remember it's your life, Alexis. Do what you need to do for you. Not for me, not for her. Okay?"

"Yeah, of course," I answered simply, but what he suggested was impossible. I didn't like upsetting Mom. I wanted her to be happy. And I wanted Tristan to be happy, too, because that's what he gave me. I couldn't do anything for me without some kind of consequence. I had to find a way to reconcile these differences. Mom just needs to get to know him. That was the answer. Surely she'd come around then, when she realized he was nothing like Lenny or his other relatives. If only she'd give him the chance….

"You had an amazing weekend with me, huh?" Tristan asked, his voice light and lovely again as we walked up to the cottage hand-in-hand.

"Very amazing." I smiled at him. "No matter what happens, it was worth it."

"I agree." He squeezed my hand, smiling back. "And thank you for telling me how you feel."

The door flew open before we reached the front porch. Mom stood in the doorframe, crossing her arms and glaring at us.

"Alexis," she said curtly. "Tristan."

"Hi, Sophia, how was your…uh…convention?" I asked, trying in vain to sound relaxed and nonchalant.

She glared at Tristan and I saw him shake his head out of the corner of my eye, answering her silent question.

"Not what I hoped it would be," she answered coldly, still staring at Tristan. Her eyes softened just a bit, though, as if his keeping her secrets meant something to her.

We all stood there awkwardly in deafening silence.

"I think I better go…" Tristan broke it first. It was almost a question, though.

"That's a good idea." Mom leaned inside the door, picked something up, and held his backpack out to him.

He took the bag and squeezed my hand. "See you in class tomorrow."

Mom closed the door and followed me to the kitchen table, where my books were still spread out, waiting for my return.

"Alexis, I need to talk to you."

"I really need to study. Mid-terms tomorrow."

"Please. Just listen for a minute."

I plopped onto a chair and looked at her expectantly, waiting for the lecture or tirade or whatever was coming. But she surprised me.

"Listen…there are apparently things I just need to work out with myself. There's obviously nothing I can do about this." She threw her hands in my direction, but I knew she meant "this" to mean Tristan and me together, as a couple. "Did you spend a lot of time with him this weekend?"

I hesitated before answering, but I couldn't lie. "Yes."

"And you obviously still like him?"

"Yes."

"Anything more?"

"I don't know. Maybe." I sighed. "I think so."

She pursed her lips together and stared at me for a long moment. "Just don't rush into anything too serious, okay?"

I didn't answer and she sighed.

"Never mind. I shouldn't have said that. You do what you feel is right and I'll just have to accept it. I knew it was coming. It was just a matter of when."

She lost me. "Is this specifically about Tristan or just about me getting serious with anyone in general?"

She pondered this question. "Both. But, in the end, it doesn't matter. You're going to do what you want and so is he. I know everything will go the way it's supposed to. It will be good."

She said those last two sentences as if trying them on, feeling for their meaning, deciding if she truly believed them. Her face showed she didn't, but wanted to, kind of doubtful and hopeful at the same time. I debated whether to force an explanation and decided to let it go, for now, anyway.

"Thanks, Mom." I threw myself at her in a grateful hug—grateful for her blessing and her return. She didn't let go and I knew she missed me, too. "There's just one other thing."

She stepped back and studied my face, her own expression leery.

"I feel really good with Tristan and I'm learning to trust him. So…" I hesitated, bracing myself. "There might come a time when he needs to know about things. You know…things I don't know yet."

"Alexis—"

"If he understands, maybe he won't get mean or run." My voice cracked on the last word.

Mom put her hands on my shoulders. "You do really like him, don't you?"

I nodded. She sighed.

"Let's just see how it goes, okay? Maybe we can talk about this again later…or maybe it won't be necessary." With a kiss to my forehead and a turn on her heel, she clearly stated the discussion was over. I didn't know if I'd won just a little or not.

She went to bed and I reviewed my notes one more time. Just as I finished, there was a tap on the kitchen door. I nearly fell out of my seat at the seemingly loud sound in the dead silence. I sat there, frozen, trying to figure out what to do. My heart had jumped at the sound and now it raced. Should I run? I glanced over at the knife block on the counter. Fight?

Another tap on the door's window.

Would they really knock first?

"Alexis, it's me." Low, sexy voice muffled through the glass pane.

I laughed internally at myself and hurried over to open the door.

"What are you doing ?" I whispered. "You scared the crap out of me."

"Sorry." He grinned, like he really wasn't. "I just had to make sure she hadn't killed you or planned to take you away or anything."

I smiled giddily. "No, actually, I think it's all good."

"Okay, good." It came out as sort of a whoosh of relief.