Love's Secret Fight: Chapter One

Claire had always shown her disapproval of me, but when her only son, Robert, and I went to Romania on an elopement, I was nervous. After we returned a married couple, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Despite her age, Claire was dangerous. Her late husband had been the Chief Inspector at the local police station. He had, had connections in what seemed like the most impossible places and after he died, his wife inherited not only his money but his advantages of power. People who first met her saw a sweet, charming lady, but we all knew better. She was as cruel and cold as she could be, and trusted no one but her son. She had this crazy idea that people only wanted to marry her son for his money. Although that may have been true, her son was gorgeous. At six feet, two inches and one-hundred and eighty-five pounds, he had the physic of a Greek god and the charm that could melt the sun.
The day we arrived home, Claire eyed me grimly, and embraced me lightly. “Elizabeth, it’s so good to see you.” Robert stood sheepishly behind me. “Robert.” She hugged him with motherly affection, and I thought I’d have to pry her long, thin fingers from around him. “Darling, sit by mommy.” Robert sat next to his mother on the love seat, and I sat across from them on a recliner. There was a brief pause, and I kept my eyes down, tracing over the flower pattern of my blouse. Robert cleared his throat and was getting ready to speak when Claire leaped up from the couch. “Would you like some lemonade, Robbie dear?” She headed toward the kitchen. “Yes please!” He breathed a sigh of relief. “And you Elizabeth?” “I could hear her rummaging through the cabinet. “Some lemonade would be nice, thank you.” There was the clatter of ice hitting the glasses before the sound of liquid and solid coming together with the solid ice, filled the voiceless room. “I’m going to tell her.” Robert silently mouthed to me. “Now?” I mouthed back horrified. He shook his head, yes. “No, no, no” I mouthed hurriedly. “Yes.” He whispered “No!” I shouted. “No what, dear?” Claire had returned with our drinks. “No uh, um.” I sputtered. “No, we can’t drink this lemonade without some of your delicious angle cake.” Robert came to my rescue. “But of course!” She handed us our glasses and hurried back to the kitchen. I took a small sip of the lemonade and made a face. “Ugh” I whispered. Robert chuckled. “Just the way I like it.” He winked at me and downed his whole glass down with one gulp. You could see the cup of sugar left at the bottom of the glass and he pounded the glass until the sugar slid down into his mouth. He stared at me over the rim of his glass, and I could see him grinning. I raised an eyebrow and handed him my glass, which he chugged quickly and handed back to me. Claire returned, handing us each a square piece of angle cake topped with whip cream and strawberries. “My, you two must have been thirsty.” I forced myself from grinning over me and Robert’s shared secret. “You still can make the best food mother.” Robert had already finished his piece of cake and his mother handed him, her slice. “Ah yes, well.” She was clearly flattered. Robert leaned back against the couch, satisfied and yawned.
Taking a bite of the cake, I could feel Claire’s eyes watching me. I silently scorned Robert for making me come. “So,” Claire took one of Robert’s hands into her own. “Where have you been all week, I haven’t heard a word from you.” I choked on the bite I had just taken,. Claire looked up. “Water,” I gasped, “water.” Robert grabbed his glass and ran off toward the kitchen. He came back and handed me the glass, which I threw back, relieved. I could still taste the lemon, and the sugar from the lemonade and I made a small gagging noise. “Thank you.” I gave him his glass back. “We’ve been busy.” Robert told his mother after I had settled down. “We?” She looked at me suspiciously. “Doing what?” “Oh you know, this and that.” He shifted in his seat. “Robert, do you want the rest of my cake?” I cut in, before anything more was said. He nodded and reached out to take the plate. Claire stopped us half-way. “Robbie, how about I just give you another slice.” Claire was already taking up the rest of the dishes. “That’s okay, I’ll just finish this, I.” “No darling, I insist!” She came back with another slice. Robert shrugged and dug into it. After he had finished, he stood up. “Mother, it was nice visiting, but Liz and I have to go.” I stood up too, doing a little victory dance in my head. “So soon?” Claire looked pouty and I rolled my eyes and softly grunted. “It’s pretty late, and we have a long drive ahead of us.” He hugged her and lightly pecked her on the cheek. “Come again soon, darling.” He nodded and she held out her arms for me. I hugged her awkwardly and she followed us to the door. As we drove away and her figure began to get smaller and smaller, I pictured myself throwing confetti and blowing noise makers.
We drove in silence for awhile. “That was weird huh?” Robert looked over at me. “Was it?” He started laughing. “I should have told her.” He replied, suddenly turning serious. “No, you did the right thing; you’ve got to do this slowly and carefully.” “In fact why does she even have to know?” “Come on Liz, she is my mom.” He brushed the hair that had fallen across my face, back. “So, I mean she’ll find out eventually.” Robert laughed again. “Be honest though, wouldn’t you rather it be me, to tell her, then for her to find out by someone else?” I had not thought about that. “I suppose so.” It had begun to drizzle and I sighed, leaning my head against the window, I closed my eyes. Robert put on some soft music as I began to doze off.
“Liz,” Robert was whispering in my ear. “we’re home.” “Already?” I moaned. He clasped his arms around my waist and picked me up, cradling me against his chest, and carried me inside. He brushed the unpacked suitcases off the bed and laid me down. Taking me shoes and shocks off, Robert began tickling my feet. “Let me sleep in peace!” I shrieked. He laughed and laid down next to me. I scooted closer to him and sighed contently. “Robert?” “Yes?” He was already drifting off to sleep “I love you.” He put his arms around me. “That’s funny,” I could hear the smile in his voice. “because, I love you too.” He kissed me and his lips were cool against my forehead. Dazed and satisfied, I drifted off into a sweet wonderland.1