Shiver

To be back with Tommy was easy. It didn't need any getting used to, even after being apart longer than they've been together. Landon felt more like a stranger than Tommy ever was. They were glued to each other. Leaving their friends shaking their heads because of how intensely they're drawn to each other. They've always known that, it was partly why they had teased the couple a lot when they were 'broken up' for a short period of time. There was a pull between them that was undeniable, no matter how hard they tried.

She had been contemplating on the idea for a few days. She wasn't ready to be parted from Tommy just yet. The thought of spending summer in Bluebridge without him was torture. She always wanted to go to Goldstone, now that she was old enough to experience the city, it was the best time than any for her to go. Although she knew that asking her parent's for permission would be nearly impossible, she had to try, at least with her mom.

Catherine sat silently in the kitchen. She wasn't reacting to her daughter's announcement of her recent plan. She was thinking.

"I know this is sudden ... and out of nowhere, but I've thought about it mom, I really want to go there ... you know how much I love the movies, how much I want to learn about the industry ... I want to see how it is and maybe ..."

Her mom didn't let her finish, she took her hand and sat her down. "I spoke to your dad again this morning ..." she looked concerned. "He wanted you to go to Gastonburry for the summer ... he wanted you to patch things up with Landon before school starts," Catherine explained.

Charlene pulled away her hand, "No! Why would I want to do that?" she was disgusted by the idea.

"And here you are asking me to spend the summer in a city you've never been before ... with a boy who had left you crying for months ..." she said in a low voice.

"He's the only one I know in Goldstone ... I'll be back before school starts and spend some time with you here," she made an excuse.

Her mother drew a long breath, "I know he makes you happy ... but I'm not sure how much longer that will last ... but I think you should enjoy it while it last," she said the truth.

"Are you giving me permission?" she was puzzled.

"The only reason I'm agreeing to this is because I know you'll do it anyway even without my consent ... and I don't want that, and I don't want you dragging yourself to Gastonburry and patch things up with the Friedman's on your father's account ... but honey ..." she cupped her daughter's face. "Don't get sidetracked from your dreams ... you have to find out who you are first before you give yourself away to someone else ... 'cause otherwise you'll lose who you are ... and who you are is all that you've got," Catherine shared advice she wished she had known much earlier in her life.

"I won't mom, I promise ... what about dad? What do I say to him?"

"I'll talk to him ... it'll be a mess, but you have to promise me to stay in touch as often as you can, your dad's gonna hate me for letting you go against his wishes."

She hugged her mom. "I will mom, I'll call you to let you know about everything every few days."

Catherine looked at her daughter and realized it was time to let her decide where she wanted to go in her life. It felt like it was just yesterday she had tucked her in bed and read her stories. With college right outside the door, life was about to move very fast.

"I love you so much," she told her daughter and they hugged.

"I love you, mom, can't thank you enough for letting me do this," she said.

"But I want to have a word with that boy before you leave," she told her.

Charlene nodded. It was the least she and Tommy could do to be able to spend the summer together in Goldstone.

"And Charlene ... " she stopped her before she left the room. "Birth control ..." she told her daughter for the first time. Charlene blushed but knew it was needed.

**********

"I've never seen you so nervous before?" Charlie said to Tommy who was pacing back and forth in her foyer.

"After seeing your mom with a shotgun ... I think anyone should be nervous," he responded defensively.

"I saw the way you looked at her that night," Charlie said.

Tommy stopped his steps, "What do you mean?" "I know that look on your face ... you had that look when we first met," she pouted.

Tommy thought about it for a moment, "I noticed how much you looked like her that night ... the resemblance was uncanny."

Charlie slapped him on the chest, "You were blushing when you stared at her," she sounded a little upset.

"Is that why you're so nervous right now? 'cause you've never been nervous before," she was serious.

He was aghast with his mouth half opened, "No ... I'm nervous because she's about to give me a pep talk with the possibility of holding a shotgun to my head ... although I have to admit ... she was really hot that night in her blue-grey night gown ... but I don't think she'll be wearing that right now?" he teased her.

She pinched his arm, "See? You even remembered what she was wearing! You totally have a crush on her!"

"Ooouch ... Charlie!" he whined.

The door to the family room was opened from the inside, "Sorry to keep you waiting ... please, come in, Tom," Catherine greeted at the door. Charlie was giving Tommy the eyes, he smiled childishly as he entered the room.

"Don't flirt with my mom!" she warned him.

"I can't promise you that," he kissed her on the cheek and closed the door before her.

"I was just preparing some tea and snacks for our little meeting here ... please, sit down," she said politely, making him a bit relaxed than before.

"Thank you, Mrs. Ludlow, that's very kind of you," he tried to be as courteous as possible.

Catherine sat across from where Tommy sat, she picked up her tea cup and took a sip with a smile. Tommy's eyes were locked on her as he thought, it was almost as if he was looking at Charlie in 30 years time. He didn't want to be caught staring, so he looked away pretending to enjoy his surrounding.

"I haven't had the chance to thank you for what you did the other night," she began the conversation. "It was very chivalrous of you," she added.

"It's what anyone should do ... under the circumstances," he replied.

Catherine nodded in agreement, "I've heard a lot about you, Tom ... ever since we first met, a lot have changed ... I keep a close watch on who my daughter is close with, especially you ... " she didn't elaborate any further, she watched his face for a reaction. He shied away, not really know how to respond to that.

"Now ... here's the thing ... she told me that she wanted to spend this summer with you in Goldstone, I wouldn't normally agree to something like this ... she never spend longer than two weeks away from home ... the last time was to Gastonburry with her dad," Catherine put down her tea and offered Tommy some biscuits which he declined. "Her dad is not gonna be happy when he finds out that I've granted her permission to go ... and her dad can be very unpleasant when we don't comply to his wishes ... if you know what I mean?" Tommy looked at her, he knew what she meant, something that Charlie probably never even knew.

"Which is precisely why I don't want Charlene to end up with a man like Landon," she emphasized.

"I understand," he responded.

"I don't know where the two of you see this relationship is going but I know you're her first ... but she's not your first ... if she's just one of the many that you've been with ... I suggest you decline her request to go to Goldstone and let everyone continue with their lives and spare us all the drama that will follow on the wake of this summer vacation."

Tommy drew a long breath, "I have every intention to be with your daughter for as long as she'll have me ... she may not be my first, but I'm pretty sure I want her to be my last ... I can only hope that she feels the same way."

Catherine was faintly nodding, "Hmm ..." she murmured.

"I did a terrible mistake for not contacting her before, but I was working, I swear it ... I wasn't fooling around or anything like that," he felt the need to explain that to her mom.

"I just don't want her coming home crying ... heart broken ... or worse, pregnant, do you understand me?" she needed convincing. Tommy's face was a bit paler, he nodded. "Be careful with her, Tom, there are people here who really loves her and would be very upset if something bad happens to her," she was threatening him in a subtle way.

"Of course, Mrs. Ludlow, I would never do anything to hurt her ... I love her," he said.

Catherine took her time and gave him an uncomfortable stare just to make sure he was genuine. "Well ... If we have an understanding, I guess I should wish you a wonderful summer together," she said with a faint smile.

"Thank you," Tom said.

"Don't thank me yet ... I need her to come back happier than when you leave me," she reminded him.

He smiled, "I'm sure she will ... she's very excited to go, there are places she really wanted to see."

They discussed about how passionate Charlie was about the movies and how much she wanted to learn about it. Catherine went on asking him about his job and how his life will be in Goldstone, he kept it simple, didn't go to the details of what he had actually done for the past six months but he didn't lie either. It was definitely not the kind of lifestyle the Ludlow's would approve of. He knew it was far from what her parents would expect from someone who would be Charlene's boyfriend but he wasn't going to lie about it. She didn't make any comment on that, just a simple smile and nodded along. After she was satisfied with all his answers, she reminded him again to call in every few days just to let her know everything. He agreed to it.

She opened the door for him to let him off the hot seat, she was satisfied for having told him what she wanted him to know. Not that the conversation had given her any consolation for how nervous she was letting Charlene leave for the summer, but she had a bit of assurance at how sincere Tom appeared to be. They parted at the door, he finally sighed in relief.