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22
Austin
Since I don’t live at home, I try to visit my mom on the weekends when I’m not busy with school. I remember her being a little sad when I said I wanted to move out a month after graduating high school, but she didn’t fight me on it. I have the money, and she went away for college when she was my age, so she said she understood. Still, I go home to do my laundry or just catch up with her. Sometimes she’ll be organizing her lesson plan for the next week for her third-grade class, or other times we’ll hang out for a little while.
And then there are times like today, where she wanted to go out for lunch.
“I still don’t understand why we couldn’t just go to Charley’s,” my mom complains. Okay, complain might be too strong of a word, but she doesn’t like coming to fancy places. “Look at this.” She points to the menu. “Twenty-five dollars for a hamburger and fries? Why? Because it’s made with a certain type of meat? Austin—”
“Mom, please,” I cut her off, laughing. “I have this money; I might as well use it on stuff for the greater good.”
She scowls at me, but there’s a tiny smile on her lips. “That’s another thing. I hate it when you use that man’s money on me.”
I can’t do anything except give a reluctant nod. “I know.” She only ever brings up my father when she has to. I know at one point, maybe before I was born, she might’ve loved him. But their relationship was burnt to a crisp a long time ago. She’s okay with me spending the money he gives me on whatever I want, as long as it’s not on her.
She rolls her eyes, shaking her head. “Anyway, let’s talk about something else.”
“How’d the class like reading James and the Giant Peach?” I ask. “I always loved that book.”
She grins, seeming to forget about the topic a minute ago. I love how happy she gets when she talks about her class. It’s one of the reasons I decided I wanted to become a teacher. “I know you did. And they loved it, too.”
The waitress comes over to our table, pen and pad ready. “Were you two ready to order?”
“Yeah, I’ll have the bacon chicken club, please,” I tell the waitress, who gives me a friendly smile.
“And for you, ma’am?” she asks my mom, who rolls her eyes.
“I’ll take the same thing, I guess.”
“Mom, seriously. Get whatever you want.”
“That’s what I want, Austin,” she playfully scolds me.
Letting out a chuckle, I lift my shoulders, and the waitress leaves the table. “You’re impossible sometimes.” I laugh.
“I’ll tell you what’s impossible, getting any more information about this mystery girl you seem to be infatuated over.”
My head slumps between my shoulders and I stare at the table. “This again? Mom, I told you, it’s still super new. Plus, she’s always busy with stuff and … I guess I don’t want to jinx it or something.”
It’s true, I don’t. Not because of Jade, though. I told my mom I was kind of seeing this girl a few days ago when I asked if she wanted to get lunch today. I wasn’t planning on it, but she told me she saw my ex from high school at a nearby mall and then asked if I’m seeing someone new.
But I don’t want to jinx it because I know I need to somehow, someway, tell Jade who my dad is. I just haven’t been able to figure out the right place or time to do so. As if the universe is giving me an opportunity, my eyes widen seeing Jade walk into the restaurant with her friend behind her.
The hostess is escorting them to a table, and as they get closer, Jade sees me. “Hey, you,” she calls out, smiling.
“Hey, what are you guys doing here?”
Jade glances over at Lily, who’s smiling ear to ear. “It’s her birthday. I told her I’d take her anyplace she wanted to go for lunch, and she picked this place.”
“Austin, you can’t tell me I’m wrong,” Lily jokes. “A Wagyu beef burger smothered in swiss cheese sauce and truffles. It’s to die for.”
“Happy birthday,” I tell her. Looking at my mom, I quirk an eyebrow. “See, that’s why this place is amazing.”
My mother quickly rolls her eyes, then looks back over at the girls, smirking. “And who is this?”
“Oh, sorry. This is Lily and Jade.”
“Oh,” she replies, sounding deflated.
