Just friends? Pfft. Yeah, right.

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

“Were you planning to hear from me only when i’m dying?” I heard my mother scolded playfully on the other side of the phone.

I arranged my papers, not wanting them to fly off as i made myself coffee. “Of course not, mom.”

“Well, you better have a good reason for not calling for such a long time,” she stated. “And, ‘i’ve been busy’ is not a good excuse.”

I felt my lips form a smile at her worried tone. “I was getting things done quickly so i could be free when you come over to visit.”

“When did i say i was coming over?” she asked, shocked.

I laughed. “I was going to call you to say that i booked flights for you and dad.”

“Oh my! You did? Oh, that’s just wonderful!” my mother exclaimed, ecstatic. “Did you hear that Freddy? Our girl got us tickets to see her.”

“Julie? I always said she was my favourite,” my father answered my mother, chuckling.

I burst into laughter when my mom started scolding him for having favourites. I knew it was all good-natured. “How’s Haley doing?”

“She’s taking her finals so she’s always busy reading or practising. But, there seems to be a boy that caught her eye,” my mother told me. “I’m not at all worried though. He’s a good lad. Did i tell you he’s the reason she’s studying so hard? Oh, you should see how she goes on and on about him.”

I grinned, hearing my mother’s happy laugh. “Haley knows what’s important. She won’t let a guy distract her.”

“Oh no. I know that. But, i’m glad she got this lad. He was so sweet the other day, offering to clean the dishes,” my mother went on. “He has the most beautiful eyes, i’ll say. Blue like the sky and a very sweet-mannered boy, kind of like that boy you used to hang around. What was his name again? Doug? Steve?”

“Dave,” i corrected her, surprised she remembered him.

“Ah, yes. A good lad, he was, very good-looking too. I haven’t heard about him. How is he doing? Are you still talking?” she asked.

I thought about the day i saw him after five years and the flowers. A small smile crept onto my face. “We’re talking now. He’s good.”

“That’s nice to hear. How is Kayla?”

“She’s getting a new album out,” i replied.

“Oh, wonderful. Make sure to send over a copy so i can listen to it. I’m not that much into all this pop and rock but i think Kayla deserves some recognition,” she stated. “That girl works much too hard. Same goes to you. You need to come over and visit once in a while.”

I leaned against the counter, sipping my coffee. “I’ll come over soon. I promise.”

“Bring Kayla and Dave too if it’s possible. It would be nice to see them again,” she said. I could imagine her smiling on the other side.

“I will see you this weekend,” I told my mother.

“I can’t wait! This is so exciting. Flying in a plane,” she said in a tone of wonder.

I shook my head, chuckling. “Good night, mom.”

“Good night, sweetheart,” she said, tone tender and warm. “Remember to eat right and have enough rest.”

“Yes, mom,” I murmured, smiling. You never know how much you miss your family until they are not with you.

“Well, good night then, pumpkin,” she said. “We love you.”