A new beginning

 Chapter 1- FIVE DAYS EARLIER…

I was visiting my mom on Spring Break, during my last year in college. I was enrolled at Oklahoma State University. So I was looking forward to seeing my mom, it had been awhile since we had spent some time together.  I was excited to finally pick my mother’s brain to find out who she was now dating. She had been busy the last few times we talked on the phone so I figured someone was keeping her occupied. I parked my car and walked up the sidewalk and admired the rose bushes my mother had planted. The lady was so talented in so many different areas. The most important one of all is cooking. I unlocked the door and the welcoming aroma of chicken, rice, and beans hit my stomach hard. 

“Hmmm” I moaned in appreciation. I let my nose guide me in the house and I knew I would find my mom stirring a pot. 

“Hey honey” My mother greeted me with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Baby girl, I missed you. I have been lonely in this big house without you.”

“You haven’t been that lonely, whenever I call you busy doing something...or someone” I said with a grin and wink. 

“Girl, hush your mouth!”  She began to laugh. She knew it was all in good humor. We continued to catch up over our meal. I learned she had joined some new community classes, primarily exercise classes. I filled her in on my dating life or the nonexistent dating life I had. She was shocked to find out that I wasn’t with Corey anymore. Corey and I dated for the first three years of college and I caught him in bed with my former roommate about two months ago. I had to let that go. 

“I really thought we had something, Mom. He seemed like he was “the one”. Clearly not though, if he was sleeping with other chicks.” 

“Erica, men are not perfect. We can’t hold their own stupidity against them, we just can’t. They don’t always think with the correct brain dear. I’m sure Corey loved you but temptation is just that- temptation. I’m not saying that he isn’t wrong for what he did but it happened, you can either forgive him and move on, or not and still move on.”

“Yeah, I get what you're saying mom, but love is supposed to be real, and different. Not about lies, cheating and secrets.”

“In a perfect world, but we are not in a perfect world.” I sat there thinking about what she had said to me. Corey wanted to get back together but my heart wasn’t in it. He really hurt me and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get the image out of my mind. Spring Break had come at the right moment because I really wanted to avoid him as much as possible. I also did not want to spend my whole vacation thinking about my relationship woes. Once the kitchen was taken care of we went into the living room and flopped down on the couch. 

“So what’s on the agenda tomorrow?” I inquired. 

“Well I have some errands to run and I have this boot camp class.” I looked at my mom with such admiration. 

“I am so proud of you Mom. You took my advice and you're getting out more now. It is so good to see you smile. Are you dating anyone?” 

“No, not really. I have a friend but it’s nothing serious- yet. Maybe you will get to meet him while you're here visiting.” 

“Who is he?”

“He’s actually the mayor of Austin, his  name is Stephen Wilkes.”

“Whoa, you’re seeing the mayor?” I was very shocked. I expected her to be dating someone but not someone in politics. 

“Yes, what’s wrong with that?”

“Well nothing I guess, but isn’t it considered somewhat high profile if you're dating someone in politics? It’s almost like celebrity status” I was a little worried about my mom dating someone of this caliber. She was a very quiet and private woman. 

“So far it hasn’t been an unpleasant experience. He’s a great guy, a real gentleman. You’ll like him. We have a date tomorrow evening.”

“Well I am glad that he’s treating you right and you do seem happy for the first time in a while.”

I excused myself from the room to go and do some work on the paper that was due upon return to school. I could hear my cell phone ringing from the stairs. I ran the rest of the way and reached it on the last ring, I didn’t even try to answer it because it was Corey. 

Ugh, why wouldn’t he just give it up? He really hurt me and he expects for me to just be ok with things. I am not ready to talk to him yet.