Dots and Zeros [Completed]

13. Eugene

'I'll see you around,' I say.

'Yeah, see you,' Sam says.

They leave the front door and walk down the driveway to reach the sidewalk. I close the door after I can't see them anymore. I would have walked them back home, but they insisted they'd be fine.

After closing the door I turn around. The fire is still going strong on the right side of the room. I already hear footsteps coming down the stairs.

'So,' mom says. 'How was it? I was in the study room next to your room. I heard some good sounds. Laughter, and stuff like that.'

I take some steps towards her.

'It was fine,' I say. 'They're good company.'

'I didn't listen into your conversation, don't worry about that,' she continues. 'But it did sound like you were having a good time.'

'We did.'

'Let's talk about it more.'

'If I may interrupt,' mama says.

Mom and I look to mama sitting at the dinner table. It looks like she hasn't moved since me and Sam entered three hours ago.

'Why don't we circle the dinner table,' mama says. 'Shall I get us a cup of tea?'

'Yes,' mom says. 'Good idea, let's do that.'

I follow mom to the dinner table and sit down on my usual chair. Mama has stood up and is walking towards the kitchen. As she turns on the kettle I start talking.

'Can we not make this a big deal?' I ask. 'I know it kind of is, but there's no reason to make it a thing.'

'I agree with you on the fact that it's a big thing,' mama says from the kitchen.

She turns around and leans against the counters with her back to the kettle. She looks at us.

'I want to celebrate it,' mom says. 'It's a big step, you know? It's not easy to leave your comfort zone.'

'I agree with that, too,' mama says.

'That doesn't mean we need to blow it out of proportions,' I say.

Mama brings out three mugs and puts them on the dinner table. After the kettle has done its thing she pours the water in a teapot with a single teabag. She joins mom and I at the table.

'We're not going to blow it out of proportions,' mama says. 'How does only one evening of celebration sound?'

'Too little,' mom says.

'More than enough,' I correct. 'More than it needs to be.'

'We're just so proud of you,' mom says.

'Exactly,' mama joins in. 'You're making big steps, and you should be proud of yourself.'

'You're making it sound like I don't talk to anyone ever,' I say.

'You know that's not what I meant,' mama says.

'That's definitely not the case,' mom agrees. 'But we all know that creating and especially maintaining any type of relationship has been difficult for you the past few years. It's amazing to see a step forward. And we should celebrate. Every single step.'

'Maybe not every single step,' mama says. 'We'll be having a permanent party here if that were the case. But we can definitely celebrate milestones.'

'Sure that's fine too,' mom says.

They talk more among themselves while I quietly sip my tea. When I pour myself a second cup, mama looks at me.

'How are you feeling?' she asks.

'A little tired,' I say. 'I think I'm gonna take a shower and go to bed after this cup of tea.'

'And how do you feel about Sam?' mom asks. 'And how tonight went?'

'It went alright. I thought they'd think I was weird at first.'

'Why's that?'

'Because I literally invited them to come over to my house after five minutes of talking to them.'

'I understand what you're getting at. But it went over great, didn't it?'

I nod.

'We're proud of you,' mama says. 'Are you proud of yourself?'

I nod again.

'Good.'

Her hand goes to mine. She squeezes it. Mom does the same with my other hand. I smile at them.

'So what's the next step?' I ask. 'We've met, they've been at my house and met my parents. How do we go further?'

'Let me think,' mama says.

'You want to know what we did?' mom asks. 'After mama and I went through those steps we went to Europe.'

'Yes, we went backpacking. That was right after we graduated college.'

'I'm not going to Europe with someone I've known for a week. We also both have school to attend.'

'Obviously you're not going to Europe with them yet.,' mama says. 'But think about doing something together at a location that isn't someone's house.'

'You could go to the movies,' mom says. 'Or something else, I'm not sure what teenagers do these days.'

'I'll do some Googling,' mama says.

'Yes, you do that,' mom says. 'While we make a list of activities, why don't you take that shower?'

'Sounds good,' I say. 'Ican't wait to see what you've come up with.'