Bodhi shook his head, grinning. “You know what? No explanation needed. This place speaks for itself. It’s like something out of a time warp. Wait, is this the Brady Bunch house?”
“I wish. Then at least there would be an excuse to preserve a historical landmark. I think I must warn you that my parents are every bit as eccentric as the place they live in.”
He rubbed his hands together. “Oh yes! This is going to be epic!” And with that he hopped out of the car like an eight-year-old on his way to a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.
Joining him at the bumper, I offered a wry smile. “I wouldn’t get too excited. We might not be able to find them inside the place.” When his brow knit, I lifted a shoulder. “They aren’t big on cleaning, so the house will probably be a mess. ”
Before Bodhi could respond, or dive back in the car, the light flicked on. My mother appeared from behind the ivy lattice wall, smoothing the ends of her pixie haircut. One strap of her overalls slid off her shoulder as she sauntered toward us in clunky Doc Martens.
“Are you giving the boy disclaimers, Breeze?” Mom asked. “Please. We aren’t heathens.”
Blinking, she stopped in her tracks as she got a good look at the ‘boy’ in question. Clearly, she recognized him. Which, in turn, shocked the hell out of me. I assumed my parents wouldn’t have a clue who Bodhi was seeing as they didn’t approve of any pop culture occurringafterthe seventies and eighties.
My mother came out of her coma and let out a whoop, clapping her hands. “Terry!” she called to my step-father. “Get out here! You’ve got to see this!”
“Mom?” Jerking my head in Bodhi’s direction, I widened my eyes and mouthed,“Stop.”
She didn’t and a second later my stepfather wandered out of the house in a pair of rubber ducky board shorts and nothing more. Black tufts of chest hair migrated down his belly, over his shoulders, and blanketed his back. Really? He knew we were coming. He couldn’t at least slip on his favorite Ninja Turtle t-shirt?
“What are you yelling about?” he asked.
Mom pointed at Bodhi. Not a gesture to respectfully announce his presence, but a full-on finger point. I’d warned him they were eccentric but this…
“Holy Mary, Mother of Jesus!” Terrance exclaimed, tipping forward to examine Bodhi like he was an exhibit at the museum.
This was a new low for both of them. Yes, Bodhi was a celebrity, but certainty he deserved some level of respect.
“I called it!” My mother squealed as she pivoted to Terrance to give him a high-five. “Did I not call it?”
“You called it all right, woman. I’m just privileged to know you.”
My stepfather offered an exaggerated bow while Bodhi and I exchanged confused glances.
“What’s happening?” I asked.
“I’m just so smart. We saw on the news that Bodhi was missing and I told your dad… I said, watch he’s probably Breeze’s mystery man, the guy who saved her on the hill and holy crapoli – I was right. Damn, I scare myself sometimes.”
“You scare us all,” Terrance agreed before addressing Bodhi. “Nice to meet you, son.” And then me. “How’s my favorite girl in the world?”
He couldn’t just hug me. That would be too simple. Instead he scooped me up, shook me like a ragdoll, then twirled me around. Bodhi received a cuddle too, but his was merely a giant bear hug and thankfully his feet remained on solid ground.
“I can’t tell you how relieved Mom and I are to see you… both of you. What a terrifying experience. We’re so happy you’re finally home.”
Sweetpea picked that moment to make his presence known, erupting into a series of annoying yaps.
“I see we have other guests.” Terrance said and, peeking into the car, he smiled broadly. “Ooh, rats. My favorite.”
Bodhi’s eyes couldn’t have been wider. My stepfather had a gift for captivating an audience. Just not the way he might have hoped.
“I didn’t get my hug,” my mother said as she squeezed me silly, peppering kisses all over my face.
Once I was free of her clutches, her eyes fixed on Bodhi and she opened her arms wide. “Do you mind?”
Without waiting for an answer, she folded him into her embrace. “Thank you for helping our daughter and bringing her home safely to us,” she whispered. “We’re beyond grateful.”
“Oh yeah, of course,” he said, sliding his arm around my waist. “But your daughter has helped me as much as I’ve helped her.”
“Oh, I’m sure she has.” Mom winked, then her eyes darted back and forth between Bodhi and me. What? No. She’d better not start with the innuendos or I might just have to die. “Did Breeze cut your hair?”
