Dots and Zeros [Completed]

33. Madeline

'It's been almost two weeks,' Sam says. 'You're not gonna keep picking me up next week too, right?'

We've made some progress over the last week. They're still eating in their room, but they're not sitting behind me in the car anymore. They're in the passenger's seat now. I'll take every little step forward I can.

'I'll think about it this weekend,' I say. 'Do you have any dinner ideas for tonight?'

'Not really.'

'We'll look around the grocery store then.'

'Sure. Can we get cookies as well? We're out.'

'Yes.'

The sun is still high up in the sky. The roads are rather empty.

'What happened again?' I ask. 'The reason you're done earlier?'

'The last two classes fell through,' Sam says. 'The teacher of the last class got sick, and the one before that just didn't show up.'

'I see. Well, it's nice every now and then, isn't it?'

'Yeah. I don't know what I'm gonna do with my afternoon, but it's nice to not have school.'

'Exactly.'

'You've got work?'

'I do.'

They hum, and look outside. I keep my eyes on the road and think of the closest supermarket. A question pops into my head. A squeeze the steering wheel a little.

'Sam, can I ask you something?' I say.

'Sure,' they say.

I squeeze the steering wheel and swallow. They've mentioned I should share more, so here goes nothing.

'What would you think if I went on a date?' I say.

Sam stays quiet.

'I mean, I'm not sure if it's a date,' I continue. 'He says he wants to hang out.'

Still nothing.

'I think I'm gonna say no. You know what, it was stupid. I don't even know him that well. I shouldn't have brought it up to begin with.'

'I didn't even say anything yet,' Sam says.

'So what do you think?'

'Do whatever you want.'

Not the reaction I wanted out of them. I wanted a clear yes or no, and instead I get that. A vague answer that could mean anything. Let's be honest, they don't really want me to do whatever I want, do they?

'Would you mind if I went out with him?' I ask.

'I don't care,' they say. 'It's your life. Do you want to go out with him?'

'I don't think I'd mind. He's really nice.'

'The decision is quickly made then.'

They don't say anything and neither do I. I drive to the nearest supermarket and enter the parking lot. It's only half full, so I pick an easy parking spot without other cars close to it.

I turn off the engine and unbuckle my seat belt. I stay seated. Sam also unbuckles her seat belt. They look at me.

'You ready?' they ask. 'Ready to tackle the groceries?'

I nod with a smile.

'Yeah, let's go. You get to pick out the cookies,' I say.

'I didn't think otherwise.'