meeting mike’s mom

Allison nibbled on her fingernails while she and Mike waited at the luggage terminal of the Vancouver International Airport. They were there to pick up Mike’s mother, and Allison was more nervous than she could ever remember being. Something about meeting a potential future mother-in-law had set her nerves on edge. She had spent a good hour in the bathroom trying to get her hair and makeup right, another hour picking out the perfect outfit. Something nice that didn’t show off too much skin, although Mike had wondered why she was hiding her chest.

The drive to the airport had been short, and Mike was practically bouncing off the walls. He hadn’t seen his mother in a couple of months, and Allison knew they were close. He called at least once a week and they were constantly emailing each other. Mostly jokes and funny pictures, but Allison knew he cherished the contact.

“Her flight was on time,” Mike said, breaking into her thoughts. “She’ll be here really soon. God, I can’t wait until she meets you.”

He put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed.

“She’s so excited,” he continued. “Aren’t you?”

“Thrilled,” Allison said, her voice trying for enthusiasm but falling short.

“What’s the matter? Are you nervous?”

“Yes.”

“She’s my mom, not some scary person.”

Allison shifted beneath his arm and looked up at him. “Exactly. She’s your mother. I want to make a good impression. What if she hates me?”

“She won’t hate you.” Mike frowned. “What’s gotten into you? I’ve never seen you like this. You took more time in the bathroom this morning than I did.”

“Are you not listening to me? After everything you’ve told me about her, well, she’s practically a saint.”

Mike laughed. “No one’s recommending her for sainthood, least of all me. She can really go on a tear when she’s annoyed, and she’s usually annoyed with me.”

A flood of people started towards them, passengers from flight 515 arriving from Indianapolis.

“There she is!” Mike said, pointing.

Allison stood on tiptoe to see over the crowd. She spotted Mike’s mom and took a deep breath.

“Okay, fine. Everything will be all right,” she muttered to herself.

Mike stepped away and hugged his mom, kissing her cheek.

“How was the flight? Did you get anything to eat?” he asked.

“Long, and no. I’m starving. A package of pretzels just isn’t a meal.”

Mike guided his mother over to where Allison still stood, a huge grin on his face.

“Mom, this is Allison. Allie, this is my mom, Julie,” he said.

“It’s great to finally meet you,” Allison said, tentatively extending her hand.

Julie smiled at her and pulled her into a hug. “Mike has told me so much about you, dear. You’re even prettier in person than you are on tv.”

Allison relaxed and hugged her back. “Thank you.”

“So, let’s grab your stuff and go get some lunch. I know the perfect place,” Mike said. “How many bags did you have?”

“Just one, honey. It’s black with a pink scarf tied around the handle.”

“I’ll get it. You stay here and chat with Allison.”

Julie waved him off and took Allison’s hand. “Let’s sit over there so we’re out of the way.”

They moved to a small bench and sat down. Allison wondered what she’d been so worried about.

“How do you like Vancouver?” Julie asked.

“It’s fine. Different from LA, but I like it better.”

“You’re from LA?”

“My family is back there.”

“Do you visit them?”

Allison nodded. “Oh sure. And sometimes my mom and my sister come up here. They’ve met Mike, and they just love him.”

“Ah. That’s nice. Are you sleeping with my son?”

Allison wasn’t sure she’d heard right. “Pardon me?”

“Are you sleeping with my son? Having sex?”

“Um, well,” Allison said, letting out a nervous laugh.

“Are you using any kind of protection?”

Allison’s eyes widened. “Oh, uh, we, er.”

“You must work very hard to hide that stammer on tv,” Julie said.

Just as Allison opened her mouth to say something, Mike returned, lugging a huge black suitcase with him.

“Everything but the kitchen sink, huh?” he asked.

Julie stood up and patted his arm. “You know me, I can never pack lightly. Let’s get some lunch, shall we?” She looped her arm through his and they started walking towards the exit. Allison blinked and tried to figure out what had just happened.

Julie paused and glanced over her shoulder. “Are you coming, dear?”

Oh, this is going to suck, Allison thought as she stood up and followed.

The ride to the restaurant was full of chatter between Mike and his mom. Allison sat in the backseat, staring straight ahead and mentally calculating how many minutes were between now and the time when Julie was put back on a plane to Indiana.

“Allie’s a great actress,” Mike said, breaking into her thoughts. “She’s the best one on the set, next to John Glover. No one can spout off dialogue like she can.”

Julie twisted in her seat to face her. “She’s wonderful onscreen,” she said. “Of course, there must be some editing involved.”

Allison gaped as Julie winked at her and turned back around.

The word bitch came to mind, and Allison fought to keep from saying it aloud.

Once at the restaurant, they were seated and asked for their drink order. Allison asked for an iced tea with sugar and lemon. Julie ordered one without sugar.

“Makes me bloat,” she said, staring pointedly at Allison, and Allison silently seethed.

Mike was oblivious to the little zingers his mother was throwing at her, which annoyed her. He went on and on about the show and Vancouver and her. She noticed his mother would gaze adoringly at him, then throw a venomous glance in her direction whenever he said her name.

Mike’s cell phone rang and he excused himself to answer it. Allison watched him go, cursing whoever had decided to call at this moment. She focused on straightening her silverware, trying to avoid eye contact. Julie appraised her with a cool and calculating stare, and she tried hard not to squirm.

“You’re a bit younger than I expected,” Julie said, leaning towards her. “And you’re a lot younger than Mike.”

“Not too much. Besides, Mike’s just a big kid himself.”

Julie raised a brow. “You think he’s immature?”

Allison’s head snapped up. “What? No. Well, not all the time.”

“I heard you were engaged,” Julie said, and Allison blinked at the abrupt change of subject.

“Yes, but it didn’t work out,” she said.

“Because of Mike?”

“No, not entirely.”

“Did you cheat with my son?”

Allison felt her cheeks turning pink, betraying her innocence. “No. We didn’t get together until after I called off the engagement.”

“You called it off?”

“Yes. But the split was friendly. We’re still on good terms.”

“Oh you are?”

“Yes.”

Julie took a sip from her iced tea, and Allison put her hands in her lap, away from all the forks with the sharp tines tempting her.

“Would you cheat on my son?”

“What? Never.”

“What made you decide to call off your engagement?”

God, Allison thought. It’s like an interrogation!

“Peter and I grew apart. Sometimes it happens.”

“You had feelings for Mike though, while you were ’growing apart’ from your fiancé?”

Allison gulped hard. “Well, yes.”

“So you dumped one man to be with another?”

“Um...”

Julie looked up and smiled as Mike came back to the table.

“It looks like you two are getting along,” he said before sitting down.

Julie patted his hand and said, “We’re getting to know each other quite nicely.” Then she looked at Allison and nodded.

Allison nodded back, thinking, I’m in hell.

~*~*~

Before they left the restaurant, Julie excused herself to use the restroom. Mike and Allison stood outside and waited for the car to be brought around.

“Your mother hates my guts,” Allison said.

“What are you talking about? She loves you.”

“No, she hates me. She loves you. She was firing off questions left and right while you were gone.”

“She’s getting to know you, that’s all. Her new husband is a reporter. She’s probably picked up a few things from him.”

“I thought you said he was a sports writer.”

Mike shrugged. “He’s still a reporter.” Seeing the distressed look on her face, he pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “Hey, everything will be fine.”

Allison wasn’t so sure. “So who called you earlier?”

“Tom. Wanted to know if we could drop by the set.”

“But we’re off today.”

“I know. But he and Kristin are shooting scenes, and they want to meet my mom.”

“Oh goodie.”

Mike stared at her. “Are you okay?”

Allison shook her head and glared. “No. I am not okay. Your mother thinks I’m some kind of cheating slut.”

Mike looked at her for a moment and then started laughing.

“Okay, that is not fucking funny,” Allison said, growing angrier as he continued to giggle. “Seriously, knock it off.”

“Oh, Allie, you kill me. My mom would never think that about you. How could she? Did she want you to tell me that?” Mike shook his head, still grinning. “She’s a bit of a joker, I guess I should have told you that.”

“I don’t think she’s joking. Ask her yourself what her opinion is of me.”

“I will. Allison, come on. Why would she think that?”

Allison didn’t answer. She spotted Julie coming back and clamped her mouth shut. She wasn’t going to say another word in Julie’s presence if she could help it.

They went to the studios and found Tom and Kristin taking a break between scenes. Tom was disgustingly charming and Allison felt herself rolling her eyes when Julie gushed over him.

And then she felt her stomach threatening to heave when Julie spotted Kristin and practically threw herself at the girl’s feet.

“Kristin, so lovely to finally meet you,” Julie said, hugging her. “You’re so beautiful. I’ll bet your makeup is a cinch compared to others on the show. Tell me, dear, do you have a boyfriend?”

Kristin wore a puzzled expression and she threw a questioning glance at Allison, who could only shrug and grind her teeth together.

“Uh, yes, as a matter of fact, I am seeing someone.”

Julie sighed dramatically. “Pity. I think you’d be perfect with Mike.”

Kristin’s eyes were huge as she stared at the woman. “But he’s with Allison,” she said, sounding confused.

Julie clucked her tongue and looked over at Allison. “I know. A shame isn’t it?”

Then she left the girls and walked over to where Mike and Tom were snacking on food from the craft service table.

Kristin moved to stand beside Allison and asked quietly, “What was that all about?”

“She’s a freaking hellbeast, that’s what it’s about. From the second she saw me, she’s been a real bitch to me. She thinks I’m too young to be with Mike.”

“Hello, uh, I’m younger than you are.”

“I know. So it must be my sparkling personality that she detests.”

Kristin frowned. “What has Mike said?”

“He doesn’t see it. He thinks I’m being silly.”

“Wow, I’m sorry, Allie.”

Julie returned and smiled at Kristin. “I can’t get over how gorgeous you are. You’re exactly the kind of girl that Mike usually goes for. I can’t see why he’s not crawling all over you.”

Kristin blinked and coughed uncomfortably. “Um, well, he’s not really my type. We’re just friends.”

“Sometimes friends can become something more,” Julie said, nudging her in the side and winking. “Well, I must use the ladies’ room. Can you direct me?”

Kristin pointed her towards a hallway, and Julie thanked her and headed off. Allison was fuming. She had had enough. Leaving Kristin, she hurried after Julie, following her into the restroom and ordering everyone else to leave.

Two other women scurried out after seeing the look on her face. Allison locked the door.

“Just what are you doing?” Julie demanded. “Unlock that door.”

“Not until we get a few things straight.”

Julie crossed her arms and glared at her. “Well? Get on with it.”

Allison took a deep breath. “First of all, I am with your son. I am his girlfriend,” she said, emphasizing the word. “We are in love. I love him, he loves me. See how that works?”

Julie remained silent.

“I did not cheat on my ex-fiance with Mike. We were having problems that had nothing to do with him. Mike and I did not get together until a couple of months after my breakup. Your son wanted to give me time to move on, and I did. I decided I wanted to be with Mike.

“We are having sex,” she continued. “Not that that’s any of your business, but I should hope you know your son is a mature and responsible man. I love everything about him. His ability to laugh at everything, his way with kids who absolutely adore him, and his talent as an actor. His presence in my life has made me happier than I’ve ever been, and I’ll love him forever.”

Julie opened her mouth to speak, but Allison held up a hand.

“What I don’t love is the fact that he’s so blinded by his loyalty to you that he can’t see that you’re a raging bitch. You’ve done nothing but insult me, and I’m not going to take it anymore. You’re welcome here because you are his mother, but that’s it. I’m with him and I’m going to be with him for awhile, so you had just better get used to it.” Allison shrugged. “If you can’t, then that’s your problem, but I am sorry you don’t seem to want to give me a chance.”

Having said everything she wanted to, Allison fell silent. Julie continued to glare at her, but Allison refused to back down or break eye contact. She stood up straight, her shoulders squared.

And then suddenly, Julie stopped glaring. Her features softened and a huge smile appeared on her face.

“Bravo, my dear,” she said, clapping her hands. “I was wondering if you had it in you.”

“What?”

“Mike told me you had passion, that you weren’t afraid to voice your opinion or stand up for yourself. I’ll admit,” Julie laughed, “that at first I thought you were like all the others when you wouldn’t stand up to me. Pretty on the outside but nothing on the inside. I’m glad to see that I was wrong.”

“You were testing me?!” Allison asked in disbelief.

Julie stepped forward and grabbed her hands. “I do it with all his girlfriends. You’re the first that has ever talked back. You’re different, Allison. You’re real.”

She hugged Allison, who could only sputter.

“You’re wonderful, dear, a real spitfire. You’re perfect for my son,” Julie said. “I do hope you’ll forgive me for being such a brat. I’m only looking out for Mike.”

“Um, yeah, sure. I guess.”

“Good. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, we can enjoy the rest of my time here. But first, I really need to use the restroom. No hard feelings, right?”

Allison stepped back, her head spinning. “Sure, of course. I’ll just, uh, go wait with Mike.”

She turned and unlocked the door, letting herself out. She leaned against the closed door, taking deep, calming breaths. It was unreal to think that this woman had just been messing with her this whole time.

“I can’t believe her!” she fumed. “And she thinks I’ll just forgive her?”

Allison was shaking her head when she spotted the door across the hall. It was a storage closet, and when she turned the knob, she found it was locked. She looked around and saw a length of electrical cord sitting on a table, an extension cord for the lights used on set. Glancing left and right to make sure no one was coming, she looped the cord around the doorknob to the ladies’ room then ran the length across the hall to the storage closet’s doorknob. She pulled it taut and tied it into a secure knot.

Ten seconds after she finished tying the doors together, she heard Julie call out.

“Allison, are you there? The door is stuck. Allison?”

Allison stifled a giggle as the doorknob rattled and Julie tugged hard to open it.

“Allison! Are you out there? I hear you!”

“Sure, Julie. I’m here,” she answered.

“Open the door!”

“Nah, not right now. I think I’ll go hang out on set for awhile.” She rapped lightly on the door with her knuckles. “No hard feelings right?”

Laughing, she left Julie trapped in the ladies room. She went to Mike and wrapped her arms around his middle. With one hand she hugged him; with the other she snatched his cell phone from his back pocket and turned off the volume.

“You’re in a better mood,” Mike said, grinning down at her. “Hey, where’s my mom?”

“She’s fine. She just needed a moment to herself. I think she was going to call her husband.”

At that moment, Mike’s cell phone lit up in her hand. She read the display, “Mom”, and kissed him, feeling much better about her day.

~end