“I had a long conversation with Josh about that, actually,” Claire said when she was finally home and Hazel asked about Goldstone. “We’ve been in contact these past few weeks, he has some concerns about Marlon and he asked for my help.”
“Really? What is it about?” she put down the book she was reading on the sofa.
Claire rested one hand on her waist and leaned on the kitchen counter, “He was concern leaving him alone in Chestnut while he’s working and Belinda is in rehab … their therapist said it’s not good for Marlon to be left unsupervised … he also mention about the summer program.” She paused.
“And?”
“And … I’ve discussed it with your dad … Josh asked me if I was willing to be Marlon’s temporary guardian until he finished high school,” Claire rolled her eyes, “Your dad didn’t like the idea at all … but …”
Hazel laughed. Everyone knew her dad was oppose to the idea merely because her mom was a huge fan of Josh Reynolds.
“But … he’s a kind man with a big heart, so he agreed … I told Josh that I will talk to Mr. Edgerton about it and we’ll have a meeting before summer is over … that means … Marlon will have to stay here for a lot of portion of next year until you kids graduate … he can stay at Max’s room, I mean … it’s vacant anyway,” Claire explained.
“Really? Oh wow … does Marlon know?”
“I don’t think so … it’s just been decided ’cause your dad gave me the silent treatment for the good part of the last week in Gastonbury,” she chuckled, “I managed to convince him that Marlon is a sweet kid … he deserves a chance, and anyways … it’s only for senior year in high school, it’ll be over before we know it.”
“That is great mom,” Hazel went over to Claire and hugged her, “Thank you so much … you’re the best,” she kissed her cheek.
“Aww … thanks honey … I’m glad I can be of help, I know how close you are with Marlon but … that means he will have to obey my rules … no smoking, no drinking, no drugs in my house, no girls, I’m assuming you’re not in the dating zone with him?” she gave Hazel a look.
“No …” she dismissed her, “Not dating Marlon … actually … I was going to tell you,” she pressed her lips together.
Claire looked at her in anticipation.
“I’m kinda seeing Theo right now.”
Her mom was stunned. Speechless. Her expression didn’t change. “Come again?”
Hazel laughed nervously, “Yeah … it kinda happened while you were away …”
Claire raised her brows and opened her arms to Hazel, “Oh honey … that’s great … so you and Theo? Officially?”
She wrapped her arms around her mom and nodded, “Yeah,” she giggled, “Me and Theo.”
“Wow … does your brother know?”
Hazel grimaced, “No … please … please … please don’t tell him … I will tell him when we’re ready … it’s hard for Theo too, he knows Max wouldn’t approve but …” her face lit up with a smile, “I told Theo about the summer program in Goldstone and he said he wanted to swing by,” she pursed her lips, “Is that okay?”
Claire was still trying to digest the new revelation. She thought about it for a moment, “Will you be staying with Marlon or Theo?”
“Marlon … it’s not gonna go well with Theo but I promised Marlon I’m staying at his place.”
Her mom let out a long exhale, “Sure, honey, but promise me … no sex … please … he’s only going to be here for the summer … do you think you can handle that?”
Hazel’s eyes widened, “Of course … I know that,” she wasn’t a very good liar when it comes to her mom, she told her everything, but this time she knew she had to lie.
Claire tried to remember how it was with her when she was 17 years old. All of Hazel’s decisions now will rely upon what Claire had taught her all these years, there is no one rule that can stop her daughter from doing what she felt was right for herself.
She pulled her close again and held her tight, “Oh I love you so much honey … I hope it goes well with Theo … I know how much he means to you … I really thought you got over him when you were with Lee … I guess … first love never dies?” She tucked Hazel’s hair behind her ear and smiled at her.
“Thanks mom, I love you too.”
Her face said it all and Claire had never seen her beaming the way she did that day. As her mother, she couldn’t help but feel joyful for how happy Hazel was, but the feeling also came with a lot of worry.
Is it a phase? Is Theo a rebound guy from breaking up with her first boyfriend? Will it last? How long will this last and what’s the repercussion if it doesn’t? Theo was like a second son to her, not to mention Max had no idea this was happening. What will happen after summer is over? Does Theo feels the same way?
Her head would explode if she let her head kept the questions going. Sometimes the hardest thing for a mother to do was to let her children experience life and make their own mistakes and learn from them. She could only hope that it’s not a mistake, this could be the best thing that ever happen to her daughter.