Dabbling In Sweetness

Chapter 25

Thanksgiving came sooner than expected and I was anxiously awaiting at the door.

"Who is the guy you invited?" My mom questioned. Her normal pull-back hair was down at shoulder length with a turkey headband, her blue eyes shining brightly at wanting to get answers. I always wondered why I couldn't get the same eye color. She wore a black body con dress and running shoes. Her job as a nurse made her more comfortable in running shoes even when dressed fancy.

"A friend," I told her curtly.

"This friend happens to be-" she waits. I know she wants me to say a boyfriend or potential boyfriend, but I had no desire to talk about the moment I relive most nights that happened a couple of weeks ago with Grayson.

I look at my mom, deciding to tell her about Abacus. "I actually am dating someone."

My mother instantly jumps up and cheers. "Honey. She's dating someone. She is," she yells.

My father came through the doors with a rag, cleaning his hands. He was of average height, towering over my mother by a few inches. He had sandy blonde hair with light brown eyes. "That's great kiddo. Is it the-" he points at the door.

"No. His name is Abacus."

"The football captain?" My father says. I nod my head and they grin. "Well look at that honey, she's got a football player."

"Okay, now leave," my mom says as she pushes him back into the kitchen. "Girl talk. When do we meet him? What is he like? How long?"

"Mom-" I whine like a kid at her pestering. "You've met them before. The movie night."

"But that wasn't a formal setting and you kicked us out after saying hi," she pouts. I give her a lopsided smile. She smiles and puts a hand on mine. Squeezing it, she says, "I'm just happy if you are."

I looked at her earnestly, knowing she had been worried since the night of the accident. When I was released from the hospital, I didn't cry, instead, I picked up a book and began to study. The goal of becoming a doctor was in my mind because I might not have been able to save my dad, but I was going to save others. "I am. This year I've made good friends Mom, and I'm dating a good guy. You don't have to worry about me." I omit the parts about someone trying to hurt me because I know it would only throw her into a frenzy.

"Sweetheart, it's a parent's job to worry."

I give her a smile when the doorbell rings. I nod my head at her and go open it.

When I opened the door I saw Grayson in a suit, staring to the side as if in a GQ magazine and a pie in his hands. I stifle a laugh as he notices me and hands me the pie. "I couldn't come empty-handed," he tells me.

"Come in," I tell him and bump into my mom who is eagerly waiting at the door. "Mom this is-"

"Hi, I'm Amelia's mother Lila. You are-" She cuts me off and introduces herself.

"Grayson Archer, ma'am," he says, clearly flustered. I laugh at their interaction and head over to the dining area. "I hope I'm not late," Grayson says, checking his watch.

"You're right on time," my mom says and guides him to the dining room. I placed the pie in the center of the decorated table, among all the other food my father had made. We had the traditional turkey but being Mexican also included food like tamales, ponche, buñuelos, and flan. The table was decorated with an orange tablecloth and candles.

"The food looks delicious," Grayson tells my mom.

"Thank you. I was up all morning cooking it," my father says as he walks in. "Boy's diner," he yells. He extends his hands and Grayson shakes it. "A firm handshake is always a good sign," my father says.