Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I heard snippets of their conversation, then a roar from Josh, “Get lost, buddy!” Sounds of a scuffle followed. I was about to peek out the window when my mom opened the door and yelled, “Get in here! Tell us about your date! Did you act like a spoiled brat again?”

I glanced at the next apartment. “Mom, keep it down!” I hurried inside and closed the door, collapsing on the couch. Before I could catch my breath, my parents surrounded me. “So, how was Dr. Evans?”

I sighed. “He was…nice. We’re still getting to know each other.”

My parents exchanged a look. “Amy, enough is enough! You’ve been moping around ever since you broke up with that Josh kid. It’s time to move on.”

My mom’s voice rose in anger. “And that little punk! Dumped you after he got into UCLA, thinking he was too good for you! If I ever see him again, I’ll…”

I rubbed my temples. It was all a misunderstanding. When my mom had asked why Josh hadn’t contacted me, I’d blurted out that he’d dumped me after getting into UCLA. She’d been furious, threatening to fly out to California and “give him a piece of her mind.”

Thankfully, Josh had never come back, or my mom probably would have made good on her threat. Just as I was starting to relax, the doorbell rang. My dad opened the door, then his face went white. He slammed it shut.

“Who was that?” my mom asked.

“Insurance salesman,” he mumbled.

The doorbell rang again. My mom, not having any patience for salespeople, stormed towards the door.

“Mom, be nice!” I called after her. My mom flung open the door, and her face, like my dad’s before, turned pale. It was like watching her anger morph into pure, unadulterated rage. My mom spun around and marched into the kitchen.

“Mom?” I asked, bewildered. “We don’t have to buy insurance. What are you doing?”

She yelled back, “I’m getting a knife!”

I shot up from the couch. Was she going to kill someone? What had this insurance salesman done? This was worse than the time she thought my dad was having an affair with the lady from their Zumba class.

I cautiously approached the door and peeked outside. Josh stood there, a cut on his lip. My heart dropped. What was he doing here? And how did he get hurt? He was fine at the reunion!

“What’s going on with your parents?” he asked, confused. “They’re acting weird.”

“Just go, Josh. Run!” I hissed.

“No way,” he smirked. “Your parents love me. I’m here to visit.”

Just then, my mom charged out of the kitchen, brandishing a knife. I jumped in front of Josh.

“Mom, calm down!”

“Move!” she yelled, her eyes blazing. “Are you still protecting him?”

Josh, oblivious to the danger, poked his head around me and waved. “Hi, Mrs. Smith! Long time no see! Miss me?”

“I miss your great–grandmother!” she shrieked, her face turning purple. She pointed the knife at me. “Move it!”

She was terrifying. I wrapped my arms around Josh. “No!” I pleaded, “Mom, please, just breathe.”

“Amy,” Josh whispered, his face turning red, “your parents are watching. Is this appropriate?”

Then he blushed even deeper and mumbled, “Actually, I don’t mind. I kind of missed hugging you too.” He wrapped his arms around me and said to my mom, “Mrs. Smith, Amy and I haven’t seen each other in a while. You understand.”

That did not help. My mom let out an earsplitting roar, “Get your hands off my Josh instinctively covered my ears. “Why is your mom so excited to see me? Why does she have a knife? Is she cooking?”

I wanted to cry. “Josh, please, just leave!”

Just then, our neighbor opened her door. “What’s all the yelling? Have some respect for your neighbors!”

She saw me and Josh hugging and leaned against her doorframe, a bag of chips in hand. “Well, well, Amy! New boyfriend? Weren’t you just on a date with Dr. Evans? Who’s this handsome young man? What does he do?”