You're my only hope

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Anthony looked frazzled as he cast a careful glance over his shoulder before slipping back under what appeared to be a blanket fort so he could stare at his phone. ]

Ok look, bad week... shit happened. Lots of shit happened, most of it was my fault. Got engaged, broke it off the next day, had to spend most of the rest of the time at the hospital looking after a sick relative. The visit from the creepy alien hunting suit was incredibly spooky... But none of that compares to this!

[ He swallowed and hushed his tone so he wouldn't be overheard. ]

Mum is here. Actually here in my flat right now, cleaning everything and making dinner because she says I look unwell even though she has done the magic heat sensing mum hand trick three times already and I don't have a fever. What do I do!? I can't tell her about even half of this stuff without--...

[ A second voice, much sweeter and calmer broke in to ask... ]

What is this?

[ And Anthony paled as he and phone broke free of the covers to see his grey haired mom holding that conspiratorial message from the mysterious MMF. Never had a man shot so quickly from a blanket tent to snag the paper, crumbled it, and chuck it into the nearest bin. ]

Nothing! Just some chain letter, probably thinks he is being funny by sending weird notes... Nothing to worry about at all! I told you everything is fine!!

[ His mum merely gave her poor highly strung son a sympathetic look and once again set her hand to his forehead. ]

Honey, you really need to calm down. I know what will help!

[ She turned and dug through one of her many bags until she found a tattered old teddy bear wearing yellow wellingtons. This was pressed into Anthony's arms as he was ushered back to the blanket covered sofa. ]

Its Mr. Yellow Boots! Now you and he can sit here all cozy until dinner is ready.

[ Anthony was sulking but he sat back on the sofa and looked helplessly after his mom until she was well out of ear shot. ]

Send help. Anything... I need her to stop worrying.

Comments

[temptationaccomplished]

Yes, I suspected she might.
Do you want us to meet, your mother and I? I won't be offended either way.

[serpentinthegarden]

Isn't that the same as the sin of omission? You are only telling them a half-truth. I want to break up, but leaving out the important details... I dunno. Seemed more cruel not to let her know that none of it was her fault and that she couldn't have done a thing to change the outcome.

[scotch_egg]

Not a bloody thing. [he gives his cousin an 'are you stupid' look] But now they know I have this stupid thing wrong with me so thanks.

[serpentinthegarden]

It would have to be work related. That would be the only reason to leave really...

[ Now what could it be? He grew silent to think it over before a brilliant idea came to him. ]

I know! Tell her the thermostat in the orchid room is on the fritz and we are in danger of losing the whole collection. It's sort of true, the thermostat does need a repairman to look it over. It's been wonky for a few days now.

[serpentinthegarden]

If this works I'll buy you the drinks next time!

[serpentinthegarden]

Is... it too soon for that? Meeting the family, especially one as crazy as mine, can be bad for a new relationship.

[bearshermark]

[Elliott silently repeats the excuse to himself to make sure he's got it]

Okay I can do that, for sure. I'm guessing sooner rather than later?

[serpentinthegarden]

Hey, they had to find out eventually! Better they learned it from family than some mystery foreign Doctor...

[chenqing_player]

It's a deal! Alright. I'll be back in five. Make sure she answers!

[serpentinthegarden]

No problem.

And I suppose that makes sense. That does seem to be the way it happens with most normal families.

[ A beat. ]

Semi-normal Different families. It would be nice if I were worried for nothing.

[temptationaccomplished]

Especially given the circumstances.

Well, what would I be getting myself into, exactly? Would she object that I was a man, or just that I have stolen you from a promising future?

[darkforcerising]

Let's go back to lists.

A- you said you wanted to date someone else. And I might be unclear, but didn't you say you didn't tell her that? So you didn't tell her the actual whole truth?

Two- Anyone can end a relationship at any time for any reason. "The relationship is over" is a complete reason to end a relationship and doesn't place blame on anyone.

Circle- you tried this version? of the over sharing? How'd that go?

[hardtoignore]

It's pretty clear my guardians aren't Different. They don't seem affected by all of this trash we have to go through. I'm a little relieved and a little angry at the same time.

[scotch_egg]

Then get out! [a woman snapped then and the next moment the door snapped open to reveal Alistair Crowley, red faced and irritated. Then his gaze fixed on the phone and his face broke into a broad grin]

Well, well! There's my wee lad! How are you doing, Anthy? You're looking well! Much better than string bean over there! How is your gorgeous fiancee?

[meanwhile a woman with short white hair rounded on Alec in the sofa]

You're comin' back wi' us to Edinburgh!

I bloody well am not!

You bloody well are! And don't you use that tone with me!

He's a grown man, Irene!

Piss off!

I told you I'm not going!

I'm telling you, you are!

[the apartment door slams shut behind them and Alistair grins]

How's life keepin' ya, laddie buck?

[serpentinthegarden]

Typical mum stuff, she wanted grandkids... thought I should settle down with a nice girl. I don't think she would be as upset over you being gay as she would be about my tossing over my girlfriend of five years for you.

[serpentinthegarden]

Alright, I get it. I screwed up! It's what I'm best at!

If I had a do-over I wouldn't have asked her to marry me in the first place! I could have used the Gala as a sweet sendoff... I haven't exactly been thinking clearly. Every time I think I have everything figured out there is some other memory or event that throws everything off again. I wish it had never happened!

[temptationaccomplished]

Alright, that's fair. Well. Right. If you would like me to meet her, or want me there for support, I'm more than capable of holding my own.

[darkforcerising]

... I wouldn't get that dramatic.

I mean, this is probably easy to fix.

text

[darkenedmoon]

At least your mother seems to have your well-being in mind. There are worse things.

[Yotsuyu would know. It's difficult to tell over text, but she's not having a laugh at his expense, or poking fun.]

My son seems to have this well in hand, so far, but we could always claim a real estate deal and I could barge in in the name of work. If you're desperate.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ What drama? He was the very picture of calm! ]

Other than escaping out the nearest window which is... pretty high off the ground, not sure what the solution could be.

[serpentinthegarden]

Please?

Sooner does have a much nicer sounding sort of 'now' about it.

[serpentinthegarden]

Will do. I've got a plan for that!

[ Once Wei hung up Anthony stood, stretched, and dropping his phone off on the kitchen counter on his way to the restroom. ]

[bearshermark]

Sure. Just text me the address and I'll be there, a perfectly charming student.

[serpentinthegarden]

You sure? I won't think less of you if you have WAY too much restoration work to do or anything. There's no shame in wanting to avoid this.

[chenqing_player]

[He writes out what he is going to say and practices a few times until the five minutes hits exactly. He clears his throat as he redials the number and waits for the mother to answer.]