Tully
"Do we have to move in with him so soon mom." I ask from the front seat of the car next to my mother Louise as she drives.
"Honey, we have been through this, he is a good man, a kind man, he wants to take care of us."
My mom is a hopeless romantic. After my father died of liver cancer three years ago, we were left in debt and on the brink of homelessness.
Mom met Graham Salvador at the club where she worked, not as a stripper but a waitress.
My mom is beautiful, tall and slender, dark brown hair and bright emerald eyes.
Me, I'm not tall, I'm big boned, my hair is mousy brown, and I wear geeky glasses. The only thing we share is our eye color.
"It's been like three months mom... why the rush?" I ask.
Three months of seeing my mom happy and going out on dates, seeing flower arrangement after flower arrangement turn up on our doorstep.
Should I be pissed off? Not really, I mean the house that we are pulling up to is huge and beautiful. It screams money.
But I don't know anyone here, I won't fit in with the wealthy kids at school. They will hate me.
"Oh, hush now... let's just be happy in the moment, ok? Let's take this opportunity as a gift from God.
And no, my mom is not religious.
I heave out a sigh. "Ok mom, I'll try." I finally say.
"Thank you, sweetheart. that means the world to me." she smiles as she stops the car.
"Now. Come let's go meet Graham." she adds opening the door.
I've met Graham once in passing as he came to pick my mom up for a date, he seemed nice, handsome and clean.
I've heard a lot about his son too, Domanic who is fifteen, a year older than me, but I've yet to see him.
Mom hasn't met him yet either, not sure if that is a good thing or not.
"Will Domanic be here." I ask as I climb out of our old beat-up ford.
"Graham has assured me he will be here for dinner."
Great, awkward time to meet when you have to stay and eat to be polite.
I'm a nice girl, I get complimented on my manners all the time. I don't have any real friends and that's because I like it that way.
Being bullied about my weight has just driven wedges in any friendship I've ever had, like my weight is a big issue for some people.
Well fuck them all!
I like who I am to a degree, and I may be large but I'm not ugly.
"Let's get inside and say hello." mom grabs a bag from the back seat and we head for the house.
The front door opens as we get close, and Graham greets us with a smile.
"Ahhh my two new favorite ladies." he beams.
I stand awkwardly in front of him.
"Graham. So good to finally be here." my mom gushes as he pulls her in for a hug.
"And you Talulah, good to see you and finally get to meet you properly." he says letting go of mom but still holding her hand.
"You to Mr. Salvador." I say with my hand held out.
Manners remember?
"Oh, dear lord... none of that now. it's to formal. You call me Graham, ok?" He smiles and I feel my insides release the tension it's been clinging on too.
I smile back as he beckons us into the grand foyer of the house.
"You have a beautiful home, Graham." mom twirls in awe.
"Thankyou. my late wife was the decorator... so I really can't take any credit." his smile reaches his eyes.
"How about a grand tour and then I'll show you to your room Talulah." he speaks directly to me which is a nice surprise.
"Please call me Tully... Talulah is too formal." I smile quoting what he has said to me.
"Touche." he smiles.
The house is indeed beautiful, cream walls, painting and vases. Room after room, only one sticking with me.
The library. My safe space.
"We have an indoor pool and an outdoor pool... feel free to use it as you wish Tully." Graham nods towards the door that leads to the pool area.
"And of course, you are too my love." he adds kissing my mom's cheek.
Wow, I guess he really does care for my mom.
"Now this is your room... your mother tells me you like the color green, so I hope you like it." he tells me as we reach the top of the stairs and turn right, coming to an immediate stop.
The door swings open, and my mouth drops to the floor.
"Wow." is all I can say stepping in the room.
A large white sleigh bed with mint green bedding, pillows of every shape and size in different color green on top.
White drapes frame the large sliding door that leads to a balcony.
A soft fluffy green rug lays beside my bed, a desk and a free-standing set of draws, all in white take up the space.
"You have your own bathroom and walk in closet." Graham says opening the doors for me to look.
"This is stunning Graham... isn't it, wonderful Tully." mom says walking around the room.
I nod unable to form words.
"Domanic has a room next door and your mother and I will be at the end of the hall."
I almost forgot about his son.
"Thank you." I say in a small voice, tears threatening to spill.
It's been so long since I've felt anything close to safe.
Our last home was in a rough part of town, drugs and gangs on every corner.
You didn't walk anywhere alone, day or night.
"You are most welcome. I'm just happy your both finally here." he looks at my mom with such adoration.
"Get settled... I will have Lucelle bring up your things." he adds taking my mom's hand again.
"Lucelle." I ask in confusion.
"Do forgive me... Lucelle is our housekeeper... wonderful woman... been with us for many years." he smiles looking at me then mom.
"Well, if she needs any help, Tully is more than capable of carrying her own things." mom says as I nod frantically.
"Oh no need... it's what she's paid to do... and she loves her job." he laughs making mom chuckle with him.
"Oh, and dinner is at six... Domanic should be home from practice by then." he smiles as he pulls mom towards the door"!
"Just call if you need anything ok sweetheart."
I smile and nod at mom as they leave the room, I plonk my ass on the bed, and what a soft bed it is.
"Welcome to the family." Graham says poking his head back into the room.
Welcome indeed I think as I fall back against the soft bedding and close my eyes.
An hour later and a friendly chat with Lucelle, my things are safely packed away, my clothes hung in the closet and my products littered around the bathroom.
It feels like home already.
"Oh Jesus... they could have at least given me a stepsister whose isn't fat."
I spin on the spot and come face to face with who I presume is Domanic.
"What the fuck are those things on your face." he snaps looking at my glasses like they offend him.
I touch my frames and push them up my nose.
"Do you speak lardass." he sneers.
Oh boy is he hot, but oh so ugly.
"My name is Tully." I say quietly but with my shoulders back.
He laughs. "You mean more like Tubby." he cackles smacking his knees.
"Jesus... dad said dinner was ready... but you look like you could do without." he laughs again, and my cheeks turn pink.
"Don't worry... I'll tell him you already ate half your room." he sniggers.
When I don't reply he gives up and walks away still laughing to himself.
What in the world has my mom signed me up for.
If that was anything to go by, I can see I'm in for a hell of a ride.
