Dnaleri

Jacob grunted in annoyance. His roommate Colin was an athlete that liked to throw his weight around.

“Get off!” Jacob grunted with annoyance. Colin continued to laugh as he threw his coat on the floor. “Where are you off to anyway?”

“I-I am going out.” He stammered, grabbing the backpack and his coat.

“Another date?” his roommate snickered. Jacob stopped and looked at him. He shrugged. “Have you even gotten to second base yet?” Jacob released a sigh and said,

“That’s none of your business, Colin.” Colin roared with laughter.

“I’ll take that as a no! You don’t know how to have fun!” Jacob shook his head.

“See you later.” He muttered.

He walked into the cold night with a full moon shining brightly over him. Snow lightly covered his jacket as he walked to his car. It was a nice black truck with an extended and enclosed cab. There were also spinners on the wheels, not that he cared for them, but it made his car easier to find.

He slowly pulled into her driveway and turned the key. Her house was a nice comfortable looking, blue Victorian house with a yellow door. Christmas lights still hung on the front porch and lights shown through the first floor windows. There was a swing chair on the front porch next to some pots meant for flowers. The lawn was covered with a foot of snow and the driveway was freshly shoveled.

The nervous twist in his energy started again as he drew nearer to the front door. Despite knowing how to conduct himself in various social settings, meeting the guardian of the woman he was falling in love with, still made him anxious. Rebecca didn’t have many people in her life, and if her guardian didn’t like him, it was possible he could lose her. Taking a deep breath, he ordered himself to get it together.

He knocked on the door.

An old black woman of around fifty opened it and stared accusingly up at him with big brown eyes. She was small, only five feet maybe, but Jacob knew from experience that size meant nothing, what really counted was skill. And from the cold, calculated look in the woman’s eyes, Jacob suspected she could kick his ass seven ways until Sunday. She had short grey hair with that framed a round, lightly wrinkled face.

“Good e-evening, ma’am, I-I’m Jacob.” The young man cringed at his faltering voice.

“Mmm...” the woman muttered, raising an eyebrow. Jacob gulped.

“Rebecca’s almost ready. Wait right there. Ya hear?!” she said as they talked into the house, her southern accent dripping with authority.

“Yes, ma’am.” She disappeared into the kitchen and Jacob stood awkwardly in the living room. The place was well furnished but unlike most modern homes, there wasn’t a TV and there seemed to be very little modern electronics at all. Jacob smiled slightly, thinking this house suited Rebecca with the comfortable furniture and great lighting, perfect to read by.

“Sorry about that,” came a giggle from the stairs. Jacob instantly felt his energy spike yet again as Rebecca came down the steps. “Penny is very protective of me.” He was taken aback by her beauty and could only stare for a long moment. Her long golden hair fell in elegant curls around her face and she wore a well fitting red sweater and dark sweatpants. Her face was lit up by her smile and her brown eyes were shining with excitement.

Rebecca not only felt excited, but also a strange feeling inside that she hoped she’d never have to feel again, love. It was strange, but over the past week she felt more and more close to him. When she took his hand, she felt all warm inside and that she could trust him with every little secret she had, even her most well kept ones. He stared at her once again and she shuffled slightly, looking down at her boots. Jacob approached and lifted her chin.

“You look beautiful.” She blushed. Almost without thought, he leaned in to kiss her… Then the old woman came back from the other room and cleared her throat. Jacob and Rebecca froze.

“So, when will you be home, dear?” She noticed the awkwardness between the two and raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. The couple stepped back shyly, still holding hands, and Rebecca turned to the woman with a smile.

“I’m not sure, I think it’ll depend on how many times I fall down.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be there to catch you.” Jacob replied. Rebecca blushed and Penny chuckled.

“Good, ya’ll better get goin’.” Penny said kindly but sternly as Rebecca kissed her cheek. She eyed Jacob as they left and the young man tried to not show his nerves. Funny how even being dead didn’t stifle the fear of an angry mother figure.

Author: Katie (Crios) Editor: Elizabeth (Eala)

Patreon: patreon.com/ealacrios