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I nod. Really.
"Yes. Oh, he was the president of the A.V. club." Mom sips her coffee. "Has he told you about the time he accidentally broadcast a, um… a private session with a friend instead of the school's weekly news."
Bella presses her back against the counter. She stares into my eyes. "A private session with a friend?"
I have to laugh. "Especially private."
"So, even as the A.V. club geek, you still cleaned up?" Bella teases.
I wave my hand over my face. "Some people know what matters in life."
Bella laughs. "You have your priorities in order."
She stares into my eyes like she's lost in them. There's something going through her head, but I don't have a clue what it is.
"Have you seen the pictures of Joel in his band uniform?" Mom pulls out her cell. "He really was adorable."
Bella takes in the photos on the screen. "He was. And those braces. They suit you, baby." She winks at me.
"You like the pictures?" Mom asks.
Bella nods.
"Good." Mom smiles. "I have plenty more where those came from."
It's a quiet weekday afternoon at that time between lunch and dinner. This place is dead. There's only one other group here, and from the way they're dressed like they're going to church after this, I'm pretty sure they have no idea who I am.
Mom delights in embarrassing me all through whatever this meal is called. She's on wine glass two. Bella's still abstaining. And I'm three beers in, which is two more than I should have given how much I need to pay attention. This is one of the rare times when I need inhibitions.
I can't tell Mom what I think about the divorce.
Not in front of Bella.
I don't mind Mom sharing stories and pictures from my childhood. It's part of the whole meeting the parents thing. Not that I've ever experienced it firsthand.
I'm glad to see Bella smiling.
I'm glad to see Mom laughing. Even if I don't get how she can be this happy days after announcing her divorce.
Mom and Bella finish laughing over a picture of my first drum performance.
Under the table, Bella squeezes my hand. "It's all over little Joel's face. He wants to drum more than he wants anything else in the world."
"He's always been passionate." Mom looks from Bella to me then back to Bella. "You have to forgive me for talking your ear off. I could go on about Joel and Daphne all day. But I do want to hear more about you too, sweetheart. Joel tells me you're from New York."
"Yes, my parents… just my dad now. We live in Manhattan. I have my own place by school. Columbia. It's tiny, but it's mine. I could live at home with Dad. He works so many hours that I would have the place to myself."
Mom makes that mhmm noise. "Yes, I know the type. Joel's father is the same way. Forgive me for asking sweetheart, but it's just your father now?"
She nods. "My mother died when I was twelve. She had a heart attack." Bella presses her lips together. "Dad stepped up to take care of us, but it wasn't the same."
Mom nods.
"Anne, my older sister, she did a lot too. She taught me about clothes and makeup. And boys. She's good at all those practical, life things. I'm much more academic. I can ace a test but I can barely boil water." Bella looks to me. "She would like Joel. Actually, she does like Joel. She's a big Dangerous Noise fan."
"And you?" Mom asks.
"They're pretty good. But I'm more into pop," Bella says.
