Black Dress Wedding

Chapter 12

My mom barely acknowledged me when we arrived, and I was 100% okay with it. She fawned over Jake amid their blissful reunion. He murmured words to stifle the excitement but never pushed her away. He clung to her as much as she clutched him and even stooped down a bit, so it was easier for my mom to fluff out his shaggy hair.

"You are still so handsome," she cooed as we finally began to make our way inside. "I made all your favorites: lasagna, garlic bread, chocolate cake."

"You didn't have to," he mumbled sheepishly.

"Oh, she had to," my dad chimed in. "If she didn't focus her energy somewhere, she would have shot up to the moon by now." My mom slapped his shoulder playfully. "It's good to have you back, Jake. The lake hasn't been the same without you," he continued.

Jake responded with a nod but didn't say a word.

We ate in comfortable silence. Less because of lack of things to talk about and more because my mom had outdone herself with dinner.

"I bumped into Chad Benton at the market today," my mom began as she tossed down her napkin. "He mentioned he is having a few people over for a bonfire tonight if you two are interested."

My thirteen-year-old self flared in annoyance that my mom was ruining my movie plans with Jake.

"Thanks, Carol, but Nif and I were going to have an old-school movie night. We even picked up Twizzlers and Cherry Coke." As Jake spoke, he put an arm around my shoulders.

"Oh, how cute," my mom beamed. "Don't stay up too late," she scolded in a mocking tone.

"I'll help with the dishes first, though," I offered.

"That would be great, honey. We can give these two some time to catch up." My mom gave Jake a wink as we started to clear plates.

Jake and my dad settled on the porch, each with a beer, as my mom and I moved to the kitchen.

"It's so great having you both home," the warmth from my mom was bursting through her eyes like the midday sun. "So, are you two seeing a lot of each other?"

"A little, we have dinner every Thursday."

My mom's hands dropped heavily to the edge of the sink. "Are you two dating?"

"What? No, it's just dinner."

"Every Thursday?" My mom pressed.

I thought for a moment. "I don't think we are dating."

"You have a man taking you out to dinner every Thursday; I think that is dating."

"No, it's not like that. We are just reconnecting. Mostly we argue over the city. He tells me all the reasons it's great, and I remind him all the reasons why the lake is my home."

"You have dinner every Thursday, and he is trying to convince you to stay in the city?"

"He's not trying to convince me to stay, mom."

"Mmhmm," she murmured to herself as she returned to the dishes.

"Mom," I chided.

"I didn't say anything."

"Seriously, it's not like that. Don't get all..." I paused, "just don't get your hopes up."

My mom gave me a soft smile, "I'm just glad you got him back here."

"Which movie do you want to watch first?" Jake asked as he stretched out on the pullout with a Twizzler hanging from his mouth.

"The Princess Bride," I said confidently.