Zaaron: Grown-ish, but for real (BOOK 3)

Part 7: Challenge

Zoey narrates.

This morning, as I get ready for work, frantically putting on my jewellery and picking out an outfit, Zara enters my room sighing.

At first, I don't notice, but once she sits on my bed, purposely sighing even louder, I finally talk to her.

'Sweetie...what's wrong?' I ask, as I continue to get ready.

'Do I really have to bring Nathaniel to dinner tonight?' She asks.

'Why not? I can't wait to get to know him.' I reply.

'Yeah, and I know that you'll be normal. But dad is so annoying about me having a boyfriend. Like, he's probably just going to drive him away.' She says.

'Your father is just caring, okay. And he'll behave, I promise.' I say.

'You're not getting out of this.' I add, as she lies down on my bed, grunting.

'I just feel like this is a disaster waiting to happen!' She says.

'Stop being so dramatic! And go and get your brother, we need to leave now.' I say, laughing as she stomps off, but I can't help but worry if she's right about Aaron.

_____

'What are you thinking about?' I ask Aaron, who stares into a blank TV, as I sit beside him on the couch later that day.

He doesn't respond, but he looks so cute, so I kiss his lips to alert him.

'What...oh, sorry.' He says, kissing me back.

'What's up?' I ask, as he puts his arm around me.

'Nothing. Just thinking.' He says, but before I can ask him to elaborate, I hear a knock at the front door.

I go to open it, and see Nathaniel, smiling.

'Nathaniel! Hi, come in!' I say, as he does so.

'Hi, Mrs Jackson. These are for you, just to say thank you for inviting me.' He says, handing me a bouquet of flowers.

'Oh wow, they're beautiful! Thank you!' I say.

'Come and join us!' I add, as he goes into the living room.

'Hi ,Mr Jackson.' Nathaniel says, as he shakes Aaron's hand.

'Hey. Come, take a seat.' Aaron replies.

'Zara, Nathaniel's here.' I call up to her, as she comes running downstairs.

'Hey.' She says, as she gives him a hug, and I see Aaron's fist clench.

I go and sit beside Aaron again, holding his hand.

We chat with Nathaniel and Zara for a while, Aaron not saying much, before AJ comes down.

'Yo, AJ, my guy, what's up?' Nathaniel says, standing up as he pulls him in for a friendly hug.

'Hey man!' AJ replies.

'AJ, you know Nathaniel?' Aaron asks confused.

'Yeah, I've known him for a while. He's awesome!' AJ replies, as Aaron looks at me, annoyed.

'Alright, I think we should eat?' I say, to diffuse the tension.

_____

As we're eating dinner, the conversation continues.

'Mrs Jackson, this food is amazing.' Nathaniel says, smiling.

'Thank you. And please, call me Zoey.' I reply.

'So Nathaniel, what do you like to do in your spare time?' Aaron asks, coldly.

'Well, I'm really into music. I actually do a bit of songwriting here and there too.' He says.

'Nathaniel actually wrote a song about me recently.' Zara says, smiling shyly.

'So are you thinking about college next? I mean music is great but it's not a real job is it?' Aaron says.

'Dad!' Zara says, shocked.

'No, it's okay. Yeah, I've applied. To a few of the same as Zara actually.' Nathaniel replies.

'Are you religious?' Aaron asks.

'Fairly.' Nathaniel replies, as Zara, AJ and I look on confused.

'Democrat or Republican?'

'Democrat.'

'Video games or books?'

'Books.'

'Sneakers or Sandals?'

'Sneakers.'

'Okay, babe, I think that's enough.' I say, as Aaron's voice turns more challenging with every weird question.

'Yeah, dad, leave him alone.' Zara says.

'What are your intentions with my daughter?' Aaron asks, staring directly at him.

'Look, sir, I just really like your daughter and I'm enjoying getting to know her. That's it.' Nathaniel says.

'So you don't actually see a relationship with her? See, Zoey?' Aaron says, looking at me.

'Enough, dad!' Zara says.

'God, this was such a stupid idea! Why can't you stop treating me like a kid! I can make my own decisions, and I can't believe your embarrassing me like this! Mom, control him!' She says, frustratedly.

'Sweetie...' I start, but she stops me.

'You know what, forget it. Thanks a lot, dad.' She says, getting up and leaving the table, as Aaron shakes his head.

The next few seconds of silence are deafening.

'I'm gonna go check on her. Thanks for dinner, Mrs Jackson.' Nathaniel says, as I give him a helpless smile.

'Wow, dad. Great move.' AJ says sarcastically, before leaving too, as I look at Aaron, angrily.

_____

'Why? Why was that necessary?' I say, annoyed, as Aaron and I clear up together after dinner.

'I'm sorry. It just...happened.' He says.

'Don't say sorry to me! Zara is very upset and now she's never going to trust that we want her to be happy.' I say.

'I just...it's hard. It's hard to see my baby girl growing up.' He says, stopping, as I sigh.

I go over to him and hold him by the shoulders.

'But she is growing up. And she is going to be leaving us soon. And the sooner you accept that the better.' I say.

'You're just saying that because she loves me more than you so you won't really notice when she's gone.' He replies.

'Aaron, it will be tough for me. I'm going to miss her so much. For the last 18 years, she's been a part of me. My greatest achievement. But we have to let her grow up. We have to treat her like an adult.' I say, as he nods gently.

'I should go speak to her.' He says.

'Give her some space. I'll chat with her later and we'll go from there.' I say.

'Thank you.' He replies.

'It's what I do. Keeping this family together.' I say, as he laughs, and hugs me a little tighter than usual, not wanting to let go.

_____