Childhood Friends: Part 4

Family Reactions: Heartbreak and rejection draws Tim & Beth closer to each other.

By neruval442. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.

Her mother appeared from the kitchen. "Oh, hi, Tim."

Beth glanced at me, then held out her hand to her mother. "Look, Mom, Tim and I got engaged."

I
watched, my anticipation suddenly turning sour in my stomach as her
mother's face changed, her expression twisting. "Really? At your age?"

She
turned to me. "Don't think I don't know what you two have been doing up
there, and I'm sure on this holiday of yours. I can tell when you wash
the sheets, you know."

Beth
flinched as her mother continued. "Engaged, I don't think so. You've
got her pregnant, haven't you, don't even know enough to be careful, and
you think bringing her back here with some cheap trinket on her finger
will make it right. Well, you can forget it."

She
turned back to Beth. "You can do what you like when you're out of this
house, how are you going to get on at university with a brat, but while
you're still here I don't want to see him."

Beth's
face was as white as it had been in the car, but she took a deep
breath. "No. Nothing is like you've said. Tim's not like that, and, “
her face screwed up, tears forcing past her eyelids, "it hurts so much
that that's what you think of me."

She looked her mother straight in the eyes. "Either Tim's welcome here, or I'm not."

Her mother's tone was uncompromising. "Go with him, then, I don't care."

Beth was shaking as she turned to me. "Tim?"

"I'll work something out," I promised. "Do you need to fetch anything?"

She shook her head. "I already have everything important."

Beth turned back to her mother. "Call me if you change your mind. But you won't, will you, I know that from Grandad."

Her mother's face showed unmasked rage. "You, he, “

I
took Beth's arm, and she turned her back on her mother, walking out of
the front door. I pulled it closed, careful not to slam it, and guided
Beth to the car, helping her with her seatbelt. I started the engine,
driving just far enough to be out of sight of the house, and stopped the
car.

Beth came into my outstretched arms, sobbing uncontrollably, her tears soaking through my shirt. "I, oh god, Tim,”

She
broke down again, and I stroked her hair. Finally she looked up, face
tear-streaked, eyes red. "Thanks for looking after me."

"Let's
get going," I encouraged her. A few minutes later I pulled up outside
my parents' house, and Beth held my hand tightly as we walked up the
path. Mom opened the door, looking at Beth with a concerned expression.
"Are you two Okay?"

"I'll explain later, Mom," I offered. "But would you mind making up the spare room for Beth?"

"That's no problem."

We
went through to the kitchen, and Mom busied herself finding a pan,
milk. "Whenever Tim had something bothering him, hot chocolate would
always cheer him up a bit."

She set steaming mugs in front of us and Beth sipped gratefully. "Where's Dad?" I queried.

"In the garden as usual, I'll get him."

She
returned with my father, and he sat down at the table without comment.
Beth gave me an anxious look, then forced a smile. "Look, Tim and I got
engaged while we were away."

"Oh, that's wonderful," Mom exclaimed. "Let me look."

She
enthused over the ring, "I love the style, such a classic, “ while my
father gave me an uncharacteristically warm hug. "Well done, no point in
hanging about when you're sure."

Beth seemed to relax. "I'm sorry to impose on you, it'll only be for a little while before Tim and I go away."

My mother shook her head. "Whatever's happened, it'll be lovely to have you both until then."