AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Shit, now there’s no way out. I nod in agreement and barrel out the front door as quickly as my legs can take me. Know what’s worse? David is far too excited to meet my parents for dinner.
Fuck. My. Life.
***
Saturday night gets here far too quickly. After I rush home from work and fumble through my wardrobe, or lack thereof, I settle on a pair of jeans and a lacey short-sleeved top with a pair of sandals. My nerves are shot. I have no idea what my mother is going to say or how horrifically she will act. My dad met Luke once, but it was at a school function so it was quick and painless with no time to talk, unlike tonight. Tonight will be nothing but talking. Ugh…
Promptly at eight, David meets us at the entrance to the restaurant. He shakes my dad’s hand first. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Cartright.”
“It’s nice to see you as well, David, please call me Tom,” Dad informs him.
David turns to my mom, plastering on his most charming smile. Only her reaction isn’t what I expected. She literally stands there staring at him, not saying a single word. David extends his hand and waits for her to raise hers. When she makes no move, he drops his.
The smile remains in place as he says, “It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Cartright.”
She snaps to with a jolt like she’s just been shocked. “Ah, yes. Nice to see you, too, David.”
My parents walk ahead of us, following the hostess to our table. David pulls the chair out for me and my mother clears her throat and glares at my dad for not doing the same. It takes him a few seconds before the message is received, and I nearly laugh as he hops up to help seat her. Though once seated, she still shoots daggers at him.
Moments later, the waiter comes by to get our drink orders and recite the evening’s specials. When he returns, we place our food order then the inquisition begins.
“So, what have you been up to since we last saw you, David?” Dad asks.
“My parents decided to home school me so we could spend more time together as a family. Mother was never one for the public school system,” David replies.
My father arches a brow. “That must have been tough for you, how were you able to complete your courses on time?”
“Actually, sir, in doing so I was able to graduate early. I received high marks in my classes as well as on my final exams. I received a full ride to the college of my choice,” David says, ignoring what I feel was an insult from my dad.
Fortunately, our salads arrive, but David doesn’t touch his. He shifts the lettuce around on his plate and my father notices this. “Not much of a salad eater?”
David shrugs. “Not really, sir, a few bites of it and I’ve had my fill.”
Dad nods in agreement. “I don’t care much for it either, but the older you get the more roughage you need.” David smiles, but that’s an overshare I could’ve done without. Dad looks at me and laughs, I guess the look on my face says what the words I couldn’t convey for me.
Oddly, though, Mom has remained silent, staring at David like she’s starstruck. But Dad is enjoying himself and I’m thankful for that.
“Jess says you’re in Arizona checking out ASU. Have you decided if you’re going to accept their offer?” And Dad’s back on the college bandwagon. Maybe he should enroll? Get it out of his system and all that.
“Not yet, sir. I was hoping Jess could help me decide since she’s been doing so much research lately.” David winks and I can’t decide whether I want to pummel him for that, or crawl on his lap and smother him with kisses.
My father swerves back around to me. Thanks for that, David. “Jess, have you figured out what you’re doing?”
Yes, hopefully my boyfriend tonight. “No, Dad, not yet.” I haven’t thought about anything but David for the last month, though I won’t be sharing that with my father.
Note to self: remember to thank the waiter for choosing that moment to deliver our food. I am so hungry that I scarf down my entire plate of baked ziti, but David still doesn’t eat. I wonder if he isn’t feeling well. Thankfully, the rest of the evening is uneventful and goes by in a blur.
Once the plates have been cleared and we wait for the check, David asks, “Jess, it’s pretty early. Would you like to see a movie or something?”
He had me at or something.
“I would love to,” I reply.
When the check comes Dad reached for it, but David beats him to it. The look on his face is priceless. I’m sure he never anticipated that.
He smiles. “Thank you for dinner, David. You two go have fun. David, it was nice seeing you.”
“You, too, sir.” David turns to Mom, “It was nice to see you again, Mrs. Cartright,” but all she manages is a nod. Dad scowls and takes her by the hand, waving goodbye on their way to the car.
