Momma's Surprise Visit 2

The afternoon sun crept across the living room, casting a dull, tired light on the room. Nora, her attention fixed on the TV, tensed at the jarring sound of the doorbell, her heart pounding like a snare drum in her chest.

"Great," she muttered, her tone as sour as a lemon. She dragged herself off the couch, her feet shuffling across the carpet as she made her way towards the door.

"Hold your horses," she groused, her voice dry with irritation as she yanked open the door.

Standing before Nora was a vision in high heels and lipstick: her mother. The woman's smile was bright, her teeth white against her rich, dark skin. She radiated energy, her arms already outstretched for a hug.

Nora's body remained stiff, her smile more of a grimace. She stood in the doorway, her eyes flashing with a mixture of annoyance and apprehension.

"Hello, Nora dear," her mother cooed, her voice sweet as honey. "How are you today?"

Nora's reply was as flat as day-old soda. "I'm fine."

Her mother, completely undeterred, sailed past her like a ship parting the sea, taking a seat on one of the couches. She glanced around, a pleased smile spreading across her face. "My, what a lovely apartment you two have," she said, her voice as smooth as silk.

Nora just shrugged, her lips pressed into a thin, hard line. "It's okay."

Nora's mother's eyes flicked to her daughter, her expression morphing into one of concern. "Aren't you excited to see me?" she asked, her voice taking on a softer, gentler tone. "I haven't seen you in ages, Nora."

Nora shifted uncomfortably, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "Yeah, it's been a while," she muttered, her voice thick with disinterest.

Nora's mother's eyebrows furrowed, her gaze fixed on her daughter. "Where's your boyfriend?" she asked, her voice threaded with curiosity.

Nora stood up from the couch, her body jolting into action. "I'll go get him," she said, her voice tight with tension.

She took the stairs two at a time, her feet thudding against the carpeted steps.

She stopped in front of Alex's door, her knuckles rapping against the wood like a metronome. She didn't wait for a response before turning the handle and pushing it open.

Alex sat on his bed his fingers flying across the keyboard of his laptop. His eyes snapped up at the sound of the door, "My mom's here," Nora blurted out, her eyes trained on Alex's face, searching for some sign of understanding.

Alex snapped into action, getting down from his bed . "Okay, let's go," he said, his words tight with anxiety. "The sooner we get this over with, the better."

Nora nodded, her hands twisting in front of her like she was wringing out a wet towel. "Okay," she said, her voice small and uncertain.

Alex and Nora descended the staircase, their steps light but tense, as though they were balancing on the edge of a knife.

Alex's eyes met those of Nora's mother, and he flashed her a stiff, polite smile. "Hello, Mrs. Williams," he said, his voice formal and reserved. "I'm Alex. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Nora's mother's eyes raked over him, taking in every detail of his appearance like she was conducting a full body scan.

Her gaze lingered on Alex's face, her eyes scanning his features as though she were reading a map. "Well," she said, her voice dripping with maternal scrutiny. "You're quite the handsome young man, aren't you?"

Alex's cheeks burned, his smile twitching as he tried to maintain his composure. "Thank you, ma'am. That's very kind of you," he managed to stammer.

"So," Nora's mother said, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness, "you're the boyfriend, huh?" She gave Nora a sidelong glance, the corners of her lips curling upwards into a knowing smile.

Alex's expression remained carefully neutral, his eyes darting to Nora as though seeking guidance. "Well, yes," he said, his voice measured. "Nora and I are…together."

"Ah," Nora's mother said, her smile widening.

"I hope my darling daughter isn't giving you too hard a time," Nora's mother continued, her voice lilting with amusement. "You know how disorganized she can be."

Nora's cheeks flushed, her hand reaching up to smooth her hair, a nervous gesture that didn't go unnoticed by her mother.

Alex laughed awkwardly, his shoulders hunching inward in discomfort. "Oh, no," he said, his voice straining to sound breezy. "Nora's wonderful."

Nora's mother's interest remained piqued, her eyes never straying from Alex's face. "And what do you do for a living, Alex?" she asked, her tone friendly and curious.

He cleared his throat, trying to seem casual as he answered. "I'm a software developer," he said, trying to keep his voice even and relaxed. "I work for a tech startup downtown."

Nora's mother's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with approval.

"Well, that's certainly impressive," Nora's mother enthused, her words flowing like honey. "And what are your future plans, Alex?"

Alex shifted in his seat, trying to keep his expression neutral. "Well, I hope to continue advancing in my career," he replied, his voice steady and professional. "And eventually, I hope to start my own company someday."

Nora's mother nodded approvingly, her expression one of admiration

Nora's mother's expression became more serious, a hint of disapproval clouding her features. "Unlike my daughter, who wants to be an artist and waste her life away," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Nora stiffened beside Alex, her body going rigid as though she'd been struck by lightning.

Alex, his jaw clenching, his smile thin and forced, tried to smooth things over. "Well, Nora's talent is undeniable," he said, his voice calm and even.

Nora's mother sighed, her lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm sure she's talented," she said, her voice sharp as glass. "But art isn't a real career, is it?"

Nora bit back a retort, her fingers digging into the couch cushion beneath her.

Alex, his expression strained, tried to keep the conversation light. "Well, it's a passion of hers," he said, his voice gentle but firm.

Nora's mother's nostrils flared, her expression darkening like a thundercloud. "I just don't think it's the right path for her," she said, her voice a cold, hard wall. "She needs to think about her future, her stability."

Nora, her body tense as a bowstring, her eyes flashing with defiance, spoke up. "Mom, I…"

Alex's hand settled on Nora's thigh, his touch a gentle but firm pressure.

Nora's body stiffened, her muscles tensing like coiled springs beneath Alex's touch. Her skin burned where his hand rested on her thigh, his fingers pressing into her leg in a comforting, reassuring gesture.

Nora swallowed, her eyes flicking to her mother, her voice calm despite the hurricane raging inside her. "Mom, I understand where you're coming from, but I think I can make a life out of art"

Alex, sensing Nora's rising anger, cut in like a lifeboat in a storm. "Your mother has a point, Nora," he said, his voice calm and even. "But I think it's important to do what you love. You're so talented, and I know you can make a name for yourself."

Nora's mother's eyes flicked to Alex, her lips pressing into a tight line.

Nora, her body still tense, relaxed slightly at Alex's words, her shoulders dropping a fraction.

"Well, that may be true," Nora's mother said, her voice a low rumble. "But it's not easy, and it's certainly not safe."

Nora bristled, her fingers digging into the fabric of the couch. "What's wrong with taking a risk?" she asked, her voice cracking with frustration. "I don't want to live a life where I'm miserable because I'm doing something I don't love."

Nora's mother shrugged, a dismissive gesture that spoke volumes. "Your father and I will never support your decision," she said, her tone matter-of-fact and uncompromising. "We want what's best for you, and that's not a career that will leave you hungry and destitute."

Nora's breath caught in her throat, her chest aching with disappointment.Nora's mother rose from the couch, her back straight and stiff, her movements deliberate and regal. She reached for her bag, her mouth a thin line of disapproval. "I just wanted to see where you were living," she said, her voice a blade of ice. "And I wanted to make sure you understand that we'll never support your ridiculous career choice."

Nora's throat tightened, a lump forming in the back of her throat.

"Goodbye, Nora," her mother said, turning to leave.

Alex, seeing the distress on Nora's face, sprang into action. "Mrs. Williams, wait," he said, his voice urgent and pleading. "You can't just leave like this. She's your daughter."

Nora's mother spun around, her eyes flashing with contempt. "You're just a boyfriend," she hissed, her words like venom. "You're not family. And you should know better than to interfere in family matters."

Alex opened his mouth to protest, but Nora's mother cut him off with a wave of her hand,She stormed out of the house, her shoes clattering against the floor like a thunderous rebuke. The door slammed shut behind her, the sound reverberating through the house like a physical blow.

Nora, overcome by a wave of emotion, collapsed onto the couch, her sobs wracking her body like a hurricane.Alex, paralyzed by indecision, sat beside Nora, his gaze darting from her tear-stained face to the closed door, as though expecting her mother to burst back in at any moment.

His hands hovered awkwardly in the air, uncertain where to place themselves, his arms twitching like the strings of a marionette.Nora buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking through his shirt like raindrops on a windowpane. Her body trembled with each shuddering sob, her fingers gripping his shoulders like a lifeline.

Alex's heart ached as he held her, his hand gently patting her back, his voice a soft whisper. "It's okay," he murmured, his words a mantra.