Page 28

Packing up my room brings two different emotions.

Happiness, of course, because I'm getting to live with my boyfriend, my Daddy.

Packing up my things in boxes, I'm picturing where they are going to go in the new place.

I already have three boxes taped up and ready to go.

One with my bed stuff, another with clothes from my closet, and the third with a few knick-knacks from my shelves and dresser.

I still have to pack up the clothes in my dresser, take down the pictures on the walls, and move the furniture.

The second, nerves. This is the second time I've moved out and the silent treatment I'm getting from my mom has me on edge.

I receive a text from Austin around nine that they're on the way to help.

I was planning on renting a moving trailer, but between Remington and Garrett's trucks, we should be able to get it all in one trip.

It's only a single dresser and my bedframe for the big pieces.

I have my bedside table that isn't heavy and then the boxes.

When Amir and I moved out of the apartment, we sold most of the furniture.

Which wasn't an issue, because it was already second hand for us to begin with.

I use the tape gun to close up the current box and reach over for the next one. I look up from the task when my door creaks open. My mom is standing there and I see her eyes scan the room before landing on me. It's a bit chaotic, but not messy really. All of it is going in boxes anyway.

"I feel like we were just here doing this," she says. I can't pinpoint what tone of voice she was going for, but it annoys me almost immediately.

"Hopefully it's the last time," I say with a half-joking tone.

"Are you sure about this?" Mom asks. She moves into the room and closes the door. Well, that's not a good sign. "I mean, you just moved back in a year ago and now you're moving in with another guy?"

"I'm sure," I say with confidence. I've never been more sure about something, I think to myself but don't say it out loud. "Trust me, I don't plan on moving back here."

"Ouch," my mom says. She puts a hand over her heart and I roll my eyes.

"You know what I mean. I'm not saying it will, but if something did happen, I'm in a spot where I can figure it out. Living here, I've been able to save money, and I'll still be saving a bit every month. I'll be okay."

She moves to sit at the foot of my bed. Her hand wraps around the knob on my footboard.

I can tell she wants to say something else, but I also need to keep packing.

I pick up the next box and move to my dresser to clean it out.

I'm taking the time to go through my clothes and decide if I actually want to keep them or not.

I don't have a lot of clothes, but I also tend to wear the same things over and over.

My mom finally speaks when I fold the first shirt into the box.

"Do you think it's a smart idea to move in with someone you barely know?"

My anger goes from a simmer at her tone to a boil at the insinuation.

We've had this conversation. Twice. I told her about Brandt, that we were dating.

I've kept my personal life away from my family for a reason, but it slipped out when I told her I was moving in with someone.

She didn't take the news well then either.

"I know him, Mom. It's fine. He's the one that asked me to move in, so it's not like this is a stranger."

"You knew Amir, too. Yet, you still ended up moving back home." Her tone is clear now, obvious that she doesn't believe this is going to last. I put another shirt in the box carefully.

"Amir left for school. We were both planning on moving to campus, but I got sick and couldn't go. Brandt is helping me with all of that, too. I already have my classes picked out and I start soon. And he’s helped me get my hospital bills taken care of."

I hadn't told my mom that much. She seems surprised. "I didn't know you took care of those. I told you your dad and I could help you out."

"It's fine; I actually got them covered a hundred percent. He works with the hospital and helped me apply. They're covering all my follow ups through the year as well."

"He works for the hospital? Did you meet him there?"

I know what she's getting at. I sigh, realizing I let details slip that I wanted to keep to myself.

While my friends and their partners are all cool with Brandt being a nurse that previously was on my care team, I knew that my mom would see that as something else.

I try to steer the conversation, but she picks up on my hesitation and speaks before I can say anything.

"Was he part of your team? Tyler, that's taking advantage of you."

"He's not, I promise. Yes, we met during my office visits and he comes to the coffee shop during the week, but it isn't like he's taking control of my life."

"He's not?" She stands up. Both of our voices are rising.

I don't want to argue, but I can feel the anger of being questioned.

Brandt was the one that was hesitant of the whole dynamic, he took himself off my care team.

I've even started making my appointments for a day other than Thursday because I know he's at the clinic so we don't run into each other.

"He's having you move in after dating each other for only a couple weeks, he's helped you with money, Tyler. I know you're an adult, but—"

"But nothing, Mom. He didn't help me with money, he helped me apply for something that the hospital offers to all patients." I don't know how else to explain it to her without saying exactly the nature of our relationship. "We're moving in together. It's not like we're getting married."

"Fine." She raises her hands and moves toward the door.

She turns around at the last second and we make eye contact.

"I don't agree with this move, Tyler, but I do feel like you'll need to face any consequences from it.

If something happens and you're faced with moving again, you won't move back in here. "

"Tyler, are you okay?" Austin asks the question as soon as they get out of the truck.

I'm waiting at the curb for them with the six boxes that hold all my belongings and my bedside table.

My furniture is still inside, but the room is bare.

I'm sitting on the bedside table with my head resting against one stack of boxes.

I look between him and Remington. They both seem concerned.

I was definitely crying earlier and sitting in the sun, I hear Brandt's voice telling me I need to drink some water.

"Just a fight with my mom," I say. "She doesn't think I'm making smart life decisions but I can't exactly explain all of this." I wave my hand between the three of us. "I'm pretty sure she would go into shock if I told her about that."

Garrett and Orion pull up behind Remi's truck and they get out as well. I see the concern in Garrett's face. Remi holds out a hand to stop him from moving forward.

"It's okay," Remi says. "We'll get everything out of there and help you get it into the apartment. Let's start with loading these boxes and then I want you to sit in the truck with the air, okay? Your face is looking a little red."

I nod, not feeling up for arguing that. I've been sitting out here for about fifteen minutes already waiting for them.

I help with the lightest box and then get in the cab of the truck.

It's nice and cool and I let my head rest against the seat for a moment.

I pull my phone out to text Brandt that the others arrived and we'll be heading back to the apartment soon.

I don't tell him about the fight with my mom. I'll do that later, in person.

The door opens and Garrett is standing there. I glance behind him and see my mom on the porch. She knew I was having people come over to help, but I don't know if she's actually allowing them to come in. The other three are awkwardly standing there.

"Are you okay?" Garrett brings my attention back to him.

"Is my mom refusing to let you inside?" The lack of response tells me everything.

"She won't let us come in without you as well.

I'm sorry, Ty. We can get this done quick, but if it's going to be too much for you right now, we will take what you have already and I can take you to get a new bed and dresser set.

I don't want you to do anything that is going to hurt you or set off anything.

Do you have your emergency medicine kit with you? "

"It's in my car," I say. I keep one there in case I need it while I'm out. There is one at the apartment too. Garrett nods. "I'll come in with you guys."

Garrett steps back, but doesn't move far. I can see him watching my every movement. I don't feel bad, just a bit hot. I'll grab some water when I’m in the house. I look at my mom when I get closer. "They're just here to help me move my stuff, okay?"

"Why were you sitting in the car, then? I'm not about to let people in my house that I don't know, Tyler."

"I was just cooling off for a moment," I say. "I'll show them to my room and we'll be out in no time. Then you can do whatever you want with it because I'm not coming back."

"You're being dramatic, Tyler." My mom huffs but then finally steps aside and lets me lead the guys to my room.

Seeing the house in a new lens, wondering what they're thinking, has me feeling self-conscious.

I point the guys upstairs and to the second door.

Remington has a tool bag in his hand to take the bed down, which is great because I forgot about that until this moment.

When they are out of sight, I turn back to my mom.

"Seriously? You couldn't just let them in for a minute to help me out?" I try to keep my voice down.

"I'm not the bad guy here," she says. "Sorry for being concerned that you're making a mistake and moving too fast. What are you doing?"

"I'm grabbing some water," I say.