The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 19 - Advice From a Friend

"You're back," Susan commented after they arrived home. "How's the new house?"

"It's really pretty Mama, but I'm not supposed to tell you," Jessie told her seriously. "Papa said."

"That's right. He's keeping parts of it a surprise," Susan agreed.

"It's a really big surprise," Jessie said emphatically.

"Well don't give it away," Susan told her.

"I won't," Jessie promised. "I told Papa I could keep it a secret, so I will."

Susan smiled. "Go get washed up for supper. We're eating early tonight  because Matt has a date."

"Thanks Mom," Matt said gratefully as he kissed her cheek.

"You're welcome Matt," Susan told him. "Tell me though, does your girlfriend know you're going back to Seattle in a week?"

"Not exactly. She knows I'm going back to Seattle for school but she doesn't know when. I'm going to tell her tonight though," Matt replied. "I've gott'a go get cleaned up," he said and headed towards the shower.

"Mom, is Matt allowed to have two girlfriends?" Zackary asked.

"How do you mean?" Susan asked.

"He's got Kate in Seattle, and now Ashley too. I didn't think you were supposed to do that," Zackary said.

"Didn't he break up with Kate at the end of the school year?" Susan asked.

Zackary shrugged. "I don't think so, but I didn't ask."

"He may have," Greg told him. "Or since he knew he wasn't going to be in Seattle over the summer, they may have an agreement that would allow him to date other people while he's been here."

"Are you allowed to do that?" Zackary asked.

"Many dating relationships aren't exclusive, so it depends on the sort of relationship Matt and Kate have, and also what his relationship with Ashley is," Susan said.  "It's normal to date lots of different people when you're Matt's age so you can get some idea of the kind of person you want to be with when you grow up."

"Oh, okay," Zackary said and he went down to the hall bathroom to wash and change, followed by Jessie.

"Is that one of the things we did wrong the first time do you think?" Greg asked once the children were gone and they were in the kitchen alone.

"What's that?" Susan asked distractedly.

"We never dated other people," Greg said watching her closely.

"That's because I knew you were the one as soon as I saw you," Susan told him. "Besides if that is something we've done wrong, we've more than made up for it this time."

"We have?" Greg said looking slightly puzzled.

"We have. We not only dated other people before marrying one another in this life, we married other people too. We were more than prepared when we met one another this time to be certain we were making the right choice, than we ever have been before," Susan reminded him.

"That much is definitely true, although I would have know that without being married to other people first," Greg assured her, watching her form.

"I would too," Susan said pausing what she was doing long enough to exchange an affectionate look with him.

"Speaking of romantic relationships, do you know if Matt was planning to invite Ashley to the party tomorrow?" Greg wondered, now openly staring at Susan.