the cold lips of winter

"I'm kind of upset with you," Topher's mother first said when she got him off to a solo lunch down at the campus coffee shop. "All right, I'm really upset with you." She glared at him.

Topher sucked in a breath. Everything had been so quaint and surprisingly sweet when he brought Ricki over for Christmas dinner. His Mom and Dad were so nice. Topher felt sure they'd be mad, considering Ricki's condition. But they weren't. He really felt they'd welcomed her with open arms.

"I knew you'd do this, Mom." Topher informed her.

"Oh, really?" She wouldn't stop glaring. It was as if she was on a mission, even if she were bundled up in her red wool coat and soft infinity scarf. Her red lipstick was so classic, just like she was, with her dark hair pulled back. "You didn't even pull the chair out for this girl, who I assume, you, love." Her voice gave him a chill.

"Mom," Toper sighed with a roll of the eyes. "Are you kidding me?"

"No, I'm not. That was rude of you, and..and if I were her, I wouldn't want to marry you. You, act as if you could care less about her." His mother snapped.

"Mom, that's not true." He winced. He was as nervous now, as he was then, at Christmas dinner. He hated it as if she put him to the test. As if he'd never pass a final at Charm School.

"You haven't even popped the question. You, probably won't. Because you'll never see the need too." She cut him down in little slices, practically. Perhaps, to see him squirm, he thought.

"I've been so busy, mom." Topher winced. He didn't really have time to think too much, lately. He'd gotten on in maintenance to do handy work. Of course, he'd never been handy with anything in his life, but at least he had insurance now, for Ricki and the baby.

"You know, we could help you." She told him.

"I know, its just..." Topher bit his bottom lip. He hoped he hadn't been neglecting Ricki. He hadn't meant, too.