Wicked Love

cloaked in stony silence, and it reminds me of when you hit the 'pause' button on the television remote. Frozen in time for just a few seconds.
Let me back up here a second. I initially had no plans to return to NYC – ever. Still, the healing process has given me strength, and my stubborn nature is now fully intact. It's time. I need to deal with the dark secrets that have become a part of me. A part that I no longer need to make me feel safe.
Of course, my father is the first to speak. "That's entirely out of the question, Carson. We all decided you'll resume your studies at the college or university of your choice, as long as it's in the vicinity. It was actually your choice if you recall."
"Your father's right, honey," my mother chirps in, giving me a warm smile. "You felt it was a good decision, remember? It's better for you to be with us for the rest of the academic year to make sure you're. . ."
"Safe?" I supply. "That's what you guys really mean, isn't it? What? You think I can't be safe anywhere but here, under your watchful eyes? I'm not scared anymore, if anything, I'm emboldened."
"Carson," my brother Weston pipes up, "Why don't you consider transferring to Stanford? That way you'll be close to me and Peyton in Cali. You get along so well with Peyton. I know she'd love having you close by."
I roll my eyes. My brother is so transparent. And I love him for it. "So, then you and Peyton can keep an eye on me, is that it?"
"Mom, Daddy, Weston - I appreciate your concern, really I do, but I'm not going to let what happened to me affect the rest of my college years. Where does it stop after that, huh? I live with Mommy and Daddy the rest of my life? I don't think so. I thought long and hard about this. I need to continue with my studies at Columbia. I have a lot to make-up, and I've already contacted the registrar about the summer classes. I'm twenty years old, and unless you want to pull the funding for my tuition, I am going back."
My father starts to say something, but Mom hushes him. "Easton, let's discuss this later. For now, let's just get through the holiday weekend. We'll talk more after Memorial Day."
Typical Mom. It's almost like she's got that Scarlet O'Hara thing going on when it comes to dealing with adversity head-on.
So, be that as it may, I knew I'd be back in The Big Apple in two weeks for the elective classes I'd registered to take. My schedule for next semester had already been locked in. I needed to get back in the groove, and the sooner the better. My parents would simply have to deal with the decision I made.
Not my idea of getting back in the saddle. Yeah, I'm back in The Big Apple as planned, but with a few revisions to that plan. First off, Mom is here with me, and we're staying at the condo on Park Avenue. I'm driven to and from my classes, and my mother is hovering. Yes, you heard me, hovering as only Darcy Matthews can.
But you see, part of the thing in getting my way is by making compromises and concessions. Mom has to see for herself that I will be safe. Besides that, once the semester starts in a few weeks, I'll be back in the dorm and Mom understands that parents aren't permitted to cohabitate with their offspring there. Dorm rules. Although she's mentioned more than once she would be perfectly happy to stay on with me at the condo for as long as needed.
Explaining to her that she's not needed is, well, awkward. I don't ever want to hurt her feelings, but when I mention how it's not fair for her to spend all this time in New York and ignore Weston, I think it did the trick. I pointed out that he was going all the way across the country. It made more sense for her to help my brother and Peyton get settled since I was moving into the dorm.
That seems to have done the trick. The week before classes were due to start, Mom helped me move my stuff, including the fall, winter, and spring wardrobe she lavished on me into my dorm room.
"Well," she says looking around, "It looks like you're all set, honey."
"And then some, Mom," I tease. "I really appreciate your going out on a limb to get me a corner room the way you did." My back is to her, shoving more clothes into the closet, so she misses the eye roll that accompanies my statement.
"Well really, honey, you needed more room, and the corner rooms give you that. I'm just glad you're in a different dorm than last semester. I want you to have a fresh start."
"I know, Mom. But nothing happened to me in the dorm."
"That you recall," she points out. "You can't be too careful with so much unknown at this point."
"I understand, Mom. I don't want you worrying about me, please? I promise to keep safe."
She bites her lower lip as if contemplating to give it one more shot in convincing to go home with her, so I take the opportunity to cross the room and put my arms around her. "Thank you for making me the strong, independent woman I've become, Mom. I couldn't have gotten through this without your and Daddy's support."
Anndd . . . that should do it.
"Oh Carson," she sobs, "I am so very proud of you. I know you'll stay safe. I have every bit of faith in that, or I wouldn't leave you here."
"I know, Mom," I reply, giving her a kiss. "And I promise I'll call you more regularly than before."
"Promise?" she prods.
"Pinky promise," I reply.

7 Blast from the past
At last I'm back on campus