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“Don’t be nervous.” He pulled back and ghosted a thumb over my lower lip.
“How could you tell?”
“Well, for one, you’re all red and sweaty.” I made a distressed noise and he chuckled. “Stop worrying. All parents love me.”
I wasn’t worried about that. Of course they would love Andrew. He was confident, smiling, successful.
The house was cozy, just three bedrooms and a small living area. Our yard was neat and wooded. No rusting cars or bags of crap like many of the yards nearby. My mom had always been fastidious about that.
Did he see a too small house and a tiny yard or did he see a retreat from the world, like I did? I opened the door and called out to my parents. “Mom, Dad? I brought a friend.”
“Give us a minute, sweetie.” My mom’s voice called from their bedroom.
Andrew looked around the small space curiously, his hands shoved in his pockets. He seemed too large, taking up all the air in the room. Or maybe that was my nervous breathing. I watched him scan the worn couch where we had watched hundreds of episodes of Saturday morning cartoons, the dining table where we’d done our homework and now ate every holiday meal.
Before he could comment, my parents came into view, my mom hobbling awkwardly on her crutches. My dad was hovering by her side and my mom batted his hands away.
“Hi, sweetie. Thanks for coming.” My mom gave me a huge grin, her blue eyes crinkling. My dad gave me a rueful smile and they exchanged a look of surprise at Andrew’s presence.
“Mom, Dad, this is Andrew. He’s my friend and neighbor. He drove me here last night.” Friend felt so faint, when Andrew had been my world for weeks. He smoothly shook their hands. “Mr. And Mrs. Clarke. I’m sorry to hear about the accident.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Andrew.” I could see the wheels in my mother’s head turning as she assessed him, taking in his Rolex, his leather sneakers, the weekend slacks he was wearing for some reason known only to him. He looked like a million dollars and her eyes were wide when she looked at me. She was desperate for grandchildren and I nearly kicked myself. I should have warned Andrew. He was in for it now.
“Is there anything we can do for you? Why don’t I head into town and pick you up some necessities?” Andrew asked.
“Oh no, you don’t have to.” My dad spoke, his pride always coming first.
“I insist. And it will give you some time to catch up with Margo. I’m sure you miss her.” He turned to me, a faint smile on his face that didn’t meet his eyes.Thank you, I mouthed. His green eyes were shadowed and he awkwardly patted my shoulder before he let himself out.
“Mom! How did this happen?” I gave her a big hug and settled her on the couch. I hugged my Dad who murmured into my hair that he was happy to see me.
“Oh you know, I fell bringing in some groceries and I’m old, so…” She shrugged like this was normal. “Anyways, who is that boy you brought home? He’s very handsome.”
“He’s a coworker, mom. Nothing more. We’re working on a deal together.”
She made a suspicious noise and my dad laughed. “He definitely wasn’t looking at you like a coworker.”He didn’t. Not anymore. Even I had to acknowledge that there was softness behind the shadows that I frequently saw in his eyes.
“Coworker, neighbor and friend.” She made a considering sound. “I’m looking forward to chatting with him later.”
“Oh no,” I groaned. I was so not ready for this.
* * *
“So, Andrew. Where are you from?”
We were seated around the small dining table, the wood stove roaring. My parents were taking turns interrogating Andrew about himself.
“Connecticut. Litchfield County if you’re familiar with it.” Andrew was being polite, warm, everything you’d expect from a colleague and friend, nothing more. It grated, for reasons I chose to ignore.
“We aren’t familiar with it,” my father responded politely. Of course they weren’t. They would never have gone to Litchfield County, home and second home to most of the richest people in the Tri-State area.
“What do your parents do there?” My mom asked, smiling. She was probably expecting teacher, police officer, maybe an accountant.
Andrew looked pained but hid it quickly. “My dad’s in money management. My mom doesn’t work.” He gave them a polite smile and took a bite of his pork.
“Oh, wow,” my mother responded.
I wanted to teleport out of this room. My parents had zero frame of reference for Andrew’s family and their lifestyle.
