Aberdeen - Gina's Story Part IV
Gina's Story Part IV
I opened my eyes, half awake, and had no inclination to move. I knew quickly that I wasn't in my room, and I soon remembered just where I'd fallen asleep. Martin and I were still pleasantly tangled up on the couch, and even though I met his eyes, wide open, it seemed he had no desire to move either.
I asked him what time it was, stretching finally. He moved as well, shifting to a more comfortable upright position on the couch. Apparently it was almost ten. We still had about an hour and a half before brunch with his family. I smiled, happy to spend some time with his family. They were a stark contrast to my own. It was more than obvious Martin had grown up in a very loving family. It was a nice distraction from the horror that was my so-called family.
After a little while longer, Martin finally got up, intending to make a pot of coffee for us, and I went in to take a quick shower and get changed. When I finished, Martin was in the kitchen on the phone.
“I wasn't about to leave her there last night...you should have seen...No, she has school tomorrow. I'll figure something out.”
He spotted me in the hallway and smiled, and told whomever he was talking to that he would see them soon. Probably one of his brothers. He handed me a cup of coffee, and said he was going to jump in the shower, and that when he was done we might head over to his parents' house early.
I didn't want to go home this afternoon, but I knew I had to. I would get the third degree about where I'd been, or at least I would if they even noticed I was gone. I tried to keep myself preoccupied with my coffee and by playing with my phone, but my mind kept drifting to the night before. Not the bad parts...the good. Something just felt right about falling asleep in Martin's arms. Corny and cliché, I know, but it felt right. I still had no idea exactly what we were though. Neither of us did.
When a man says he's going to take a quick shower, he isn't kidding. Martin was out of the shower in five minutes, tops. I had barely finished half of my coffee by then.
I blame their upbringing, but Martin and his brothers seemed to be pros at pulling off the classy casual look. It suited him. I'll admit it, it certainly gives a girl a confidence boost to walk in on the arm of a man looking as good as he did. He came in and sat with me while I finished my coffee, but soon enough we loaded my things up in the back of his car and headed over to his parents' house.
When we pulled up, his brother Michael came speeding in behind us. He and his partner Jack got out and smiled when they saw Martin opening the passenger door and helping me out. We walked in, all the while Michael commending Martin on finally bringing me to a family brunch. Apparently it was a big deal. Later I found out from Jack that it was quite an accomplishment; he and Michael had been together for 7 months before he came to a family brunch.
The family was gathering in the sitting room until brunch was ready. Mr. Aberdeen was talking to Donovan, the oldest of Martin's brothers, when we came in, but he waved and gave an amiable smile. His sister Mia practically attacked me, dragging me away from Martin to come sit with her. She was obviously glad to have some female company in this house full of men. We had the normal girl chatter, clothes, shoes, a bit of gossip...I could tell she was trying not to mention it. Everyone was it seemed.
I'd tried to cover up the bruising on my face, but there's only so much makeup can do.
The last brother, Drake, Mia's twin, finally made his way into the sitting room, his mother close behind him. Again, attacked by another Aberdeen woman. Have I mentioned how much I love Mrs. Aberdeen? Honestly, she's what a mother should be. She's just downright bubbly at times, but she's clearly a matriarchal figure. One glance from her and all of her boys would grovel at her feet if she wanted them to. She took me by the hand, Mia following close behind, and we went off towards the kitchen. I spotted three mimosas on the island in the middle of the kitchen and she smiled, handing me one.
“No doubt you could use it, cara mia,” she'd said. At least she wasn't going to dance around the subject. I thanked her, taking the drink.
She told me that Martin had informed her of the situation, and that she was happy he had brought me this morning. Elena, as I was once again informed I should call her, told me that if I ever needed anything, I only needed to call, and that their home was always open. Of course, Mia brought up that I'd more likely find Martin's door wide open.
I simply smiled and raised my glass to their hospitality.
~~~~~
Brunch was hardly any different. More chatter and gossip, family stories...of course all the brothers took my presence as the perfect opportunity to try and tell embarrassing stories about Martin. It was amusing...and then Martin threw a scone at Drake for a comment and their mother shut that line of storytelling down very quickly.
It seemed like all too soon we were leaving. Mr. Aberdeen and Elena reiterated that I was always welcome, and I told them I'd no doubt visit again. Mia and I made plans to go shopping during the week, and Michael and Jack were quick to join in for that plan.
The ride home seemed to go far too quickly. I wanted to go back with Martin. I didn't want to go home, much as I knew I had to. His hand grasped mine firmly the whole ride, comforting. We made our usual plans for the next weekend, and he told me about some ball his parents were holding in the next few weeks. He wanted me to be his date, and he told me he had a feeling that might be the focus of Mia's shopping trip. I smiled, something I seemed to do repeatedly in his presence, and told him I'd love to go with him.
When we got back to my house, my father's truck wasn't in the driveway. That put me at ease a bit. We pulled in, and he helped me carry my things up to the front door. Father wasn't home, so I decided that I should probably at least introduce Martin to Mom. She'd understand why I'd left last night. Even if she couldn't leave, she should at least understand that I still had a chance. I went to unlock the door, but found it open. Going in, I told Martin to stand in the front hallway for the moment.
I called out through the house for Mom, but got no response.
I was prepared to be yelled at. I was prepared to be grounded. I was prepared for Martin to get yelled at and possibly 'banned' from the house.
I was not prepared to see my mother lying on the kitchen floor with a bullet in her head, surrounded by blood.
I did what any rational person would do.
I screamed and proceeded to pass out.
I opened my eyes, half awake, and had no inclination to move. I knew quickly that I wasn't in my room, and I soon remembered just where I'd fallen asleep. Martin and I were still pleasantly tangled up on the couch, and even though I met his eyes, wide open, it seemed he had no desire to move either.
I asked him what time it was, stretching finally. He moved as well, shifting to a more comfortable upright position on the couch. Apparently it was almost ten. We still had about an hour and a half before brunch with his family. I smiled, happy to spend some time with his family. They were a stark contrast to my own. It was more than obvious Martin had grown up in a very loving family. It was a nice distraction from the horror that was my so-called family.
After a little while longer, Martin finally got up, intending to make a pot of coffee for us, and I went in to take a quick shower and get changed. When I finished, Martin was in the kitchen on the phone.
“I wasn't about to leave her there last night...you should have seen...No, she has school tomorrow. I'll figure something out.”
He spotted me in the hallway and smiled, and told whomever he was talking to that he would see them soon. Probably one of his brothers. He handed me a cup of coffee, and said he was going to jump in the shower, and that when he was done we might head over to his parents' house early.
I didn't want to go home this afternoon, but I knew I had to. I would get the third degree about where I'd been, or at least I would if they even noticed I was gone. I tried to keep myself preoccupied with my coffee and by playing with my phone, but my mind kept drifting to the night before. Not the bad parts...the good. Something just felt right about falling asleep in Martin's arms. Corny and cliché, I know, but it felt right. I still had no idea exactly what we were though. Neither of us did.
When a man says he's going to take a quick shower, he isn't kidding. Martin was out of the shower in five minutes, tops. I had barely finished half of my coffee by then.
I blame their upbringing, but Martin and his brothers seemed to be pros at pulling off the classy casual look. It suited him. I'll admit it, it certainly gives a girl a confidence boost to walk in on the arm of a man looking as good as he did. He came in and sat with me while I finished my coffee, but soon enough we loaded my things up in the back of his car and headed over to his parents' house.
When we pulled up, his brother Michael came speeding in behind us. He and his partner Jack got out and smiled when they saw Martin opening the passenger door and helping me out. We walked in, all the while Michael commending Martin on finally bringing me to a family brunch. Apparently it was a big deal. Later I found out from Jack that it was quite an accomplishment; he and Michael had been together for 7 months before he came to a family brunch.
The family was gathering in the sitting room until brunch was ready. Mr. Aberdeen was talking to Donovan, the oldest of Martin's brothers, when we came in, but he waved and gave an amiable smile. His sister Mia practically attacked me, dragging me away from Martin to come sit with her. She was obviously glad to have some female company in this house full of men. We had the normal girl chatter, clothes, shoes, a bit of gossip...I could tell she was trying not to mention it. Everyone was it seemed.
I'd tried to cover up the bruising on my face, but there's only so much makeup can do.
The last brother, Drake, Mia's twin, finally made his way into the sitting room, his mother close behind him. Again, attacked by another Aberdeen woman. Have I mentioned how much I love Mrs. Aberdeen? Honestly, she's what a mother should be. She's just downright bubbly at times, but she's clearly a matriarchal figure. One glance from her and all of her boys would grovel at her feet if she wanted them to. She took me by the hand, Mia following close behind, and we went off towards the kitchen. I spotted three mimosas on the island in the middle of the kitchen and she smiled, handing me one.
“No doubt you could use it, cara mia,” she'd said. At least she wasn't going to dance around the subject. I thanked her, taking the drink.
She told me that Martin had informed her of the situation, and that she was happy he had brought me this morning. Elena, as I was once again informed I should call her, told me that if I ever needed anything, I only needed to call, and that their home was always open. Of course, Mia brought up that I'd more likely find Martin's door wide open.
I simply smiled and raised my glass to their hospitality.
~~~~~
Brunch was hardly any different. More chatter and gossip, family stories...of course all the brothers took my presence as the perfect opportunity to try and tell embarrassing stories about Martin. It was amusing...and then Martin threw a scone at Drake for a comment and their mother shut that line of storytelling down very quickly.
It seemed like all too soon we were leaving. Mr. Aberdeen and Elena reiterated that I was always welcome, and I told them I'd no doubt visit again. Mia and I made plans to go shopping during the week, and Michael and Jack were quick to join in for that plan.
The ride home seemed to go far too quickly. I wanted to go back with Martin. I didn't want to go home, much as I knew I had to. His hand grasped mine firmly the whole ride, comforting. We made our usual plans for the next weekend, and he told me about some ball his parents were holding in the next few weeks. He wanted me to be his date, and he told me he had a feeling that might be the focus of Mia's shopping trip. I smiled, something I seemed to do repeatedly in his presence, and told him I'd love to go with him.
When we got back to my house, my father's truck wasn't in the driveway. That put me at ease a bit. We pulled in, and he helped me carry my things up to the front door. Father wasn't home, so I decided that I should probably at least introduce Martin to Mom. She'd understand why I'd left last night. Even if she couldn't leave, she should at least understand that I still had a chance. I went to unlock the door, but found it open. Going in, I told Martin to stand in the front hallway for the moment.
I called out through the house for Mom, but got no response.
I was prepared to be yelled at. I was prepared to be grounded. I was prepared for Martin to get yelled at and possibly 'banned' from the house.
I was not prepared to see my mother lying on the kitchen floor with a bullet in her head, surrounded by blood.
I did what any rational person would do.
I screamed and proceeded to pass out.