Love is Like an Ocean

Parental Control

When Isaiah finally dropped me off I was no longer thinking about Lila, or the dinner party we missed half of.

I wasn’t thinking about what had happened before, I was just feeling great.

When I went inside Mom felt my ora.

“I want to know details!” She said and poured a glass of orange juice.

I sat down and told her the whole story.

“Ooh. That boy has it bad for you.” She said and smiled.

“Yeah I know. It’s just-I don’t know. Maybe it’s just that I’m afraid of him going to other girls.”

“Honey, we all have that feeling one time or another. No guy is perfect. Every guy decides to ‘experiment.’”

“I know that. But. It’s just-”

“You’re afraid.”

“Exactly.”

“Gabby. You have to take chances. If you don’t, you’re going to end up sad and alone.” I winced at my mother’s harsh comment, but knew it was necessary.

“Alright. It’s late, you should get to bed.” She said and I hopped off the bar stool and went to bed.

❣

The next day was a Sunday. I was tired and I slept until noon. Mom was constantly bugging me about Isaiah. Why would she care?

My dad was off in the army stationed in Iraq. Instead of most of the soldiers getting to return home to see their families, we had to talk over video chat.

Dad constantly checked up on me, asking me how my grades were and if I had any boyfriends. Knowing Dad would flip if he heard the Isaiah story, I decided not to tell him.

“Have you told your father yet?” Mom asked as she was washing the dishes.

“No Mother.” I said. 

“Well why not? You need to tell him sooner or later.”

“I know.” I said and dried the dishes.

“Hun, you can’t hide this from him forever. Sooner or later, he is going to find about about this, what do you call it?”

“I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure out what to call it.” I grumbled.

I’m not going to go into details about my boring morning, so I’ll skip to the afternoon.

I was looking at my phone, wondering whether or not to call Ocean Eyes, and decided against it, when I heard my phone go off.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Hello.” A voice replied. His voice wasn’t Isaiah’s or anyone’s I knew.

“Who is this calling?” My heart started to race.

“I was actually looking for Cassie.” He said. My mom’s name was Cassie.

“Alright.” I put the phone on my chest and yelled, “Mom! It’s for you!”

“‘Kay!” She replied and I heard her pick up the phone.

I decided to listen in, why not?

“Hey Mrs. Brooks!” He said.

“Hey Derek, what’s up?” I felt her smiling.

“Well, I’m coming into town tomorrow, and I was wondering if you wanted me to meet your daughter.” Oh my goodness. She was setting up a date for me! How could she!?

“That would be lovely, Gabby will be so thrilled.” Her voice sounded happy.

“So, is there anything I should know about her?”

“Well, she’s a hopeless romantic,” Am not! I thought, “She loves funny guys,” Do not! “And she’s very beautiful.” Great. I feel like I’m on an episode of Parental Control.

I hung up the phone in my room and pondered what exactly I was going to do. I wouldn’t be able to get out of this, set up, but, I could bring Isaiah along.

So, I called Adria, maybe she had some advice for me.

“Hey girly!” She yelled.

“Whoa, did you have some sugar or something?”

“Maybe. Anyway what’s up?”

“Parental Control.” I replied.

“Shut up. She set you up on a date?”

“Yes. And his name is Derek.”

“Ooh. Hot name.”

“I know. But what about Isaiah?”

“What about him?” Oh crap. I hadn’t told her.

“Well, you see. We um, kinda kissed last night.”

“Shut up! Give me details.” I heard her bounce on her stomach on her bed.

I told her the whole story with her going ooh and aah ever so often.

“So, any advice?”

“Course. You should try to go out with this guy named Derek. If it’s a total bust, then dump his sorry butt. But, if it’s not, then, well, bonus points to get Isaiah jealous.”

“Good plan. Bye Adria.”
“See ya tomorrow.”

❣

“Hey beautiful.” Isaiah said and slung his arm around my shoulder.

“Hey. So, I have some news.” I said trying not to sound nervous or whatever.

“What’s up?”

“My mom set me up on a date with a guy.”

“You’re kidding me.” He said with a smile.

“No joke, and it’s tonight.”

“Well, have fun.” He said with a chuckle. Have fun?! Are you serious? He wasn’t the least bit jealous, or mad.

“You’re taking this well.” I said.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know.” I said and looked up at him.

“Gabby. I know that in the end you will most likely choose me over whoever this guy is. I’m sorry, but it’s just the way you are.”

“Well. Excuse me then.” I said and stormed out of there.