Fool-ish

The theater brightened and a low round of applause could be heard.

Zoey realized that Dominic's foot had retracted during the middle of the movie but she had felt continuous nudges in the back of her chair throughout the rest of the screening. She realized that was his way of letting her know that he was still there.

She looked over at her parents who were now standing and putting their jackets on. For how excited she was to introduce Dominic to them, Zoey was not prepared on how she was going to brace the subject. Both of her parents she noticed, had looked over in her direction at different times during the movie so she knew they had seen him.

She pulled out her phone and texted him: Do you want to meet them?

Dominic still seated texted back: I'm here for YOU. Yes, if that's what you want.

Zoey took a deep breath in and stood up and turned to face her parents blocking them in the isle.

"Hey guys, real fast I want to introduce you to someone," Dominic walked down and stood behind her. She took another breath and nervously blurted out "Mom, Dad this is my... this is...is Dominic".

Dominic reached out his hand and greeted them. Both her parents returned his hand shake then stared back at Zoey. She heard the cleaning crew enter, pushing their rolling garbage cans in and beginning to pull the trash.

"Um, let's go into the lobby and get out of these guys way," Zoey said. She noticed her mom had a smirk across her face and her dad had a puzzled look on his face.

Once in the lobby Dominic stood close to Zoey. She looked up at him and then back at her parents.

"Its nice to meet both of you. I've heard a lot about you."

"Its nice to meet you to Dominic, unfortunately we haven't heard about you," said her mom inquisitively.

"Yea, uh, how do you know my daughter?" said her father defensively.

Zoey's chest fell. "Jesus, Dad" she thought "we haven't discussed that yet." Without missing a beat Dominic grabbed her hand and said "I'm dating your daughter. We've been seeing each other for about 3 months now."

"Oh," said her parents in unison, surprised.

She squeezed his hand tighter for a quick second in her own way of saying thank you.

"Yep. I wanted him to meet you guys but I thought he had plans this weekend and that's why I'm a little shocked to see him right now."

"Yeah-I actually just got off work early and came straight here."

"You look familiar do I know you from somewhere?" said her mother, Scarlett.

"I don't believe so. My dad is friends with Angelo maybe you have seen him before at some party or event over there?"

Zoey winced and turned her head to Dominic and shook her head. "What did I say something wrong?" he remarked.

"Angelo's a good guy but I haven't talked to my sister in a couple of years." Said her dad. "She's done things that...well...have made things complicated."

"Glenda, right? Yea to be honest I'm not the biggest fan either. Zoey knows a little bit about it."

"Oh." Her fathers face went from annoyance to relief.

"Yea its true dad." Zoey confirmed and then turned to Dominic. "Are you hungry? I planned on picking up pizza for an early dinner."

"If it's ok with your parents, sure babe." Zoey blushed. She couldn't believe how much had changed in the last couple of hours.