Chapter 3 - the thorn

“Mom, dad, you remember Adam, right?” Holly said, sounding as if she had been caught out. They had both been enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon in front of the TV when Holly’s parents showed up at her apartment, unannounced.

Holly’s parents turned their heads to look at Adam, their memories of him clearly evident from the disapproving looks on their faces.

“Ah, yes,” Holly’s mother managed, outstretching her hand for Adam to shake. “Nice to see you again,” she lied. Holly’s father meanwhile, merely nodded his head curtly, without saying a word. “What’s all this?” Holly’s mother asked, sounding a little cross as she looked at the copious amounts of sweet and savoury snacks that filled the coffee table in the lounge.

Adam felt like he was twenty-one all over again. Holly’s mom had always been a thorn in his side. “We’re having a lazy afternoon watching movies,” he explained. “I thought we could do with some snacks.”

“Holly can’t be eating this sort of junk,” Holly’s mother rumbled on, more annoyed than ever to hear that Adam had been the one who had brought it all here. “She’s got her career to think about.”

“Mom, you know I’m not playing tennis anymore,” Holly sighed.

“You may change your mind,” said her mother, bending down and collecting all of the snacks together to put them away.

Holly didn’t protest, so nor did Adam. He switched off the TV and sat there politely whilst the parents took over the place; fussing over their daughter. It was a full hour until they were finally leaving. Adam almost felt like he had lost his voice, for he hadn’t had to use it the entire time. “I see they haven’t changed,” he grumbled as the door finally closed. “Just as charming as ever! Did you see their faces when they saw me?” he chuckled.

“Don’t worry about it,” Holly smiled, turning to kiss her boyfriend. “I don’t need them to like you. I’ve got enough appreciation for all of us,” she joked, kissing Adam sweetly.

“Shall we finish the movie?” Adam smiled, already switching the TV back on. “Where did your mom put all of our snacks?”

“Oh, she’d have taken them with her,” Holly replied. “Didn’t you see that big bag she carried out with her? She’ll have put them in there.”

“What the hell?” Adam grumbled. “Who does she think she is? You’re a grown woman!”

“I know… I know,” Holly conceded. “But she’s always been the same.”

Adam shook his head in frustration. “Only one thing for it then,” he huffed, pulling out his cell phone. “Let’s order in some pizza.” He started dialling. “I’m putting extra cheese on yours as well,” he laughed. “That should piss your mom off!”

Holly laughed at him, but she did not protest.