Then, I stared some more.
Then, Trunks coughed and looked at his watch. The tension, I was sure, was running off in waves and though he struck me as a slightly thick guy, not even *he* could miss this.
"Well, Goten, I think I'm gonna go. It's only about two o' clock, and my mom wouldn't like it if I skipped out of work..."
WHAT?! He was going to LEAVE ME WITH HER?!
I grinned at him before swallowing. My eyes glared, the words apparent. 'You will die. You will die many MANY TIMES!'
"That's fine Trunks. I'll see you later," I tilted my head, giving the bullshit the full shit affect. "Okay?"
The light in his eye proves he has headed my warning. My lips curl evilly.
"Goten!" The sound of my mother's voice makes me want to curl in upon myself, but the urge is resisted, and my body faces her.
"Hi....mom!" Another fake grin slaps itself upon my face and I embrace her. She pulls away almost a second later, her eyes narrowing as it inspects my appearance. She frowns.
"Since when could you afford Banana Republic?"
Hm....It seems not talking to my mother for several months has affected her view of my financial situation. Sure, I wasn't the richest person in the world, but that didn't make me non-Banana Republic poor. I had something from there! Soap! That counts...doesn't it?
Oh, wait. I forgot... GOHAN, yes, 'My dear precious brother' is a regular customer there. And *he* is the one who bought me that soap.
WHY CAN'T I EVER WIN?!
"Goten, do not make your mother waste time waiting for you reply." Mother can FUCK OFF!
My smile never fades as I extend a hand.
"I'm sorry mom. Would you like a tour inside?" Her eyes flick over to the large house to her right and she gives a small smile.
"That would be nice, Goten." Well, things are looking a little bit better. We wave as the limo drives off, taking my purple haired fiance and only strand of sanity with it.
How that man became the link to my sanity I don't know, and if god be willing, I will never find out. We spend the next five minutes standing on the front lawn as my mother praises the garden's and shrubbery surrounding the house. She knows almost all of their names.
Does this not tell you what a boring life she'd led after my brother left home?
My mind wanders, thinking about how frumpy a woman she's become in her old age. Was she always this.....wrinkly? Her hair was still in it's same position as always, a graying mass of bun piled atop her head. But her usually emotional, make that usually ANGRY face, was carved with lines showing the stress she'd faced in her life.
I don't think I was THAT bad... Okay, that's a lie. Let us recall a moment when I was twelve...
***
My best friend Julia had just introduced me to the wonders of the Disney movie, Peter Pan. The moment my choclate eyes took in the site of the red-haired, spandex-wearing flying wonder, I was in love. As soon as I ran through the front door of our modest two floor home, I sought out my mom.
"MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY!!!!" She'd turned to me, spoon in hand and black hair in her eyes.
"What, Goten?"
"I'm in love!!!" Her eyes had softened for a moment as most parents do when they find out their children are experiancing their first crush.
"Aww...isn't that cute!" She seemed to be proud of me for the first time in her life. "And who are you in love with?" At that moment, I puffed out my chest, smiled as large as I could, and closed my eyes.
"Peter Pan!" *thump* One of my eyes cracked open and my mother was laying in front of me, her face peaceful and her breathing steady.
She'd fainted.
Who'da guessed?
***
Back to the present...
"Mom, what do you say we get a drink? I'm sure the drive from Ibew was long." Her steps pause and she looks at me funny.
"The ride is only twenty minutes, Goten. I'm not *that* old." I frown as she makes her way to the door. I had to open my mouth didn't I?
As we enter the house, she gasps and the pride that swells in my chest is invigorating. My house, well, Trunks and I's house had made my mom gasp. Maybe I wasn't out of the game after all...
"It's so big!" Chichi exclaimed. My smile changes to a smirk. I've heard that line before. The situation was a tad more enjoyable then this one though.
"Yep. Trunks likes things big..." Chichi nodded and took off her flowered jacket.
"Then why's he with you?" My mouth drops open. OUCH! That one hurt!! A LOT!!! I cough into my hand and pretend not to hear that.
"Anyway, let me show you to the kitchen." I walk ahead of her, not caring if I left her in the dust. She shouldn't waste my time admiring all of the art on the walls. At least thinks can't get any worse...
"Holy shit!" The scene before me makes my eyes explode from my head. Pan and Bra were making out RIGHT IN THE KITCHEN! AND MY MOM WAS RIGHT-!
"Goten? What's wrong?" She tried to push me aside, but I was younger and faster than her and used this fact to my advantage, slamming the door shut to block her entrance.
"Nothing at all. How would you like to go out to eat instead?" Chichi's dark eyes become fierce, giving me the 'I'm your mother tell me now!' look. Lucky for me, I learned at an early age how to resist giving in.
Look away!
My mother had always been quick to catch on to things, so I wasn't surprised when she sighed and gave in.
"Okay."
"Great! Let me lead you to the guest room while I call Julia."
"Julia? Your still talking to her?! That's wonderful! I always loved that girl."
Didn't I know it. Chichi would ALWAYS play dress up with Julia but if *I* asked?! NOoooooo! Cuz I'm a GUY!! Well, phooey! on her.
**************
Hm...there's a lot you can learn from a pretzel. It's very symbolic. I'm serious! The little twists and turns forming this big, sad face with acne. Represents plenty of things if you ask me. Like, this little curve could be Trunks...And this one could be my mom... and that one's...Pan. Stick them together and you get me. Of course, nowadays, acne is the least of my problems.
"So, Mrs. Son, what do you think of Goten's engagement.
"What do you mean, Julia?" Our reations were in sync as the cups in our hands landed on the table, our eyes opened to unhealthy levels.
"Uh, mom, you mean you *don't* know I'm engaged?" The older woman shook her head and my jaw dropped.
How the hell could she not know?! I thought this was supposed to be the biggest thing since...the last big thing! That's all I can come up with right now, sadly. I was never one to keep up with the local news.
I could be wrong. I suppose the fact that I'd been chased by a crazed mob because of it had led me to assume it was big news. The fact that she hasn't figured it out is a little shocking, though. I mean, there is a rock the size of Montana on my finger. Is she going blind, or what?
"No, of course how would I, huh? You haven't spoken to your dear mother in almost a year-"
"Seven months, ma. Seven months."
"That's worse!"
Huh?
"Your brother would NEVER go that long without speaking to me..." I frowned, seeing her logic. Puh, momma's boy. My frown deepened. I'd always wondered what it would be like to be a momma's boy...Must be nice.
"I'm sorry mom. I've just been a little busy.." She pauses in her fake crying and looks at me.
"With what? Answering telephones?!" Her cries continue and I flinch back into my seat. Why did I even bother with my mother? It was like talking to a brick wall, sometimes.
Julia didn't seem to be very fazed by the whole situation. She moved her seat closer to my mom's and hugged her around the shoulders.
"It's okay, Mrs. Son."
"But what did I do WRONG?!" The wince on my face is noticeable, but no one's paying attention.
"You didn't do anything. Goten's life's just been a little hectic lately..." My mouth clamps shut. The string of words that had come to mind would not be very appropriate in this situation. Not unless I wanted her to have a heart attack.
"Yes, I suppose it is his fault isn't it?" She gave her a small smile before turning back to me.
"So, what's her name?"
HER?! Excuse me, while my eyes shoot across the room.
Julia felt the same way, from the looks of it.
"Excuse, Mrs. Son, but girl?" Chichi's eyes narrowed.
"Of course a girl. What are you trying to insinuate, Julia?" This is familiar. My mom had loved the girl next door to pieces, but she could bite off your finger if you weren't careful. Ladies and Gentleman, meet my mom.
"Mom," I begin, deciding to spare Julia the horrible fat to come. "I'm gay. You've known that since I was, what? Thirteen years old?" Something flashes in her eyes, but it's gone in an instant.
"I know, but that was a phase...wasn't it?" The hope in her voice crumbles the cold front I'd put up for this visit. It's a horrible thing, coming out to your mom. It was hard enough when I was 13. Now I have to do it all over again?
"No, ma. It wasn't, and I think we both know it." The sigh that escape my lips adds drama to the moment. For some reason, the thought that my life could contain serious moments after that night a few days ago. Of course, there was that time last night...
Wrinkles are almost a guarentee at the rate of my frowns today. If I do end up staying with Trunks though, he'll be able to afford re-constructive surgery for me. This engagement is proving more and more useful.
Her face is solemn as it looks into my eyes. I realize for the first time just how much my mother could care. The biggest surprise, was that the feelings seemed to be directed at me. Now, my biggest fear was that she'd have a screaming fit of denial... That would be bad.
She smiles and I flinch. Whoops. Jumpy? Me?
"I'm sorry, Goten." I'm beginning to question my own hearing.
"What?" She thinks for a moment and rubs a hand along the back of her neck before meeting my eyes once again.
"I'm sorry about not being...supportive of you..." She struggles for words. "...lifestyle. And I'm willing to be there for you. If you need me, of course." My eyes feel moist as I bite my lip and reach across the table, hugging my mother for the first time in years.
"Thanks mom. Thanks."
"But don't get any crazy ideas, now. Don't go sticking neon signs on your forehead that say 'I'm Gay' or something like that."
I raised an eyebrow and smiled. It could've been worse.
**************
"Sounds like you've had an interesting day, Goten."
"How observative, you are Trunks." He looks up at me, but I just smile sweetly. Sarcasm was always one of my better qualities.
His blue eyes are rolled, laughter shining through them. He'd been a little tense when he'd come home earlier, why I had yet to find out. With one clean swallow, my second glass of wine was finished. I murmured in satisfaction and sat watched Trunks as he finsihed his meal.
He was a handsome man, that was for sure. If they'd met under different circumstances, Goten would have thought him out of his league. But now... Well, now he wasn't.
Trunks must have felt my eyes on him, because he looked up, a small piece of alfredo sticking out the side of his mouth. The look was precious and I smiled, leaning forward across the small coffee table between us. His eyes widened, but that didn't slow my path.
Whether it was the wine or my insanity I couldn't tell, but whatever it was, I was listening to it. My face grew serious as it paused, a breath away from his face. Making the barest of contacts with his skin, I steal the noodle and eat it.
This must not have been what he'd meant to happen, and he wasn't going to go disappointed. His hand reached up, directing my chin with a ghost of a touch to have me face him, my lips a breath away from his.
And then it happened. His hesitation lingered for a moment as our lips met, but realizing that I wasn't going to castrate him for the move, he applied more pressure, coaxing me into giving him some other sign than nutrality. Who was I to say no?
My lips parted and I watched in fascination as his eyes slid shut, his mouth connecting with mine in one of the most intimate ways two people can. The browns of my eyes disappear as they slide closed, savoring the moment as though it were the last.
I'd always been a sucker for kisses. But it was sure as hell a good thing to be a sucker for.
A noise emanates from the back of my throat and I pull away little, surprised by the sound. Don't remember that happening before. The red splashed along my cheeks, warming my face. He just smiled. I joined him again before my arms slid around his shoulders and brought our lips together once more.
Double the pleasure, double the fun and all that good stuff eh?
The shrill sounds of a telephone interuppt us in our new postion, both on our knees on either side of the table, lips locked and arms holding tight. Neither of us breaks the embrace, not finding it necessary.
The answering machine picks up a few moments later, just as I begin to wonder about what I was doing with him...
"Hello, and thank you for calling the home of Trunks Briefs and Goten Son. I'm sorry we're not here right now.." AWWW!! I smile into the kiss as the message goes on. He even put our names together on the answering machine...
*BEEP*
"Yeah, er, hey, Goten. It's me, Jake. I just found out about your, er, engagement. Give me a call if you can, k?" He gave the number, the melancholy in his voice still apparent.
"Bye."
Shit.
This was not good.
**************