Just Good Friends

Chapter 40

"So, Jake, did you have a good New Year?" My mama asks.

"Yes, I did." He nods his head.

"That's good. How is your mother doing?"

"She's good, thanks for asking." He forks some lasagna into his mouth.

"Wonderful. So are you excited to graduate?"

"Yeah, I'm ready to get out," Jake chuckles a bit.

"I hear that," I add while crunching some garlic bread.

"You know what you wanna do after high school?"

"Yeah, I was planning on going to UCLA, but my mother doesn't have enough funds to pay for college, so I may just stay in the city and check out a community college."

"Oh, okay. Did you all check out any loans or anything?"

"Ma..." I give her a look to tell her don't go there.

"It's fine." Jake gives me a look and nods his head, then speaks to my mom. "We checked out some loans, but with her job, she wouldn't be able to pay back the loans."

"Oh... well, do you know what you might want to study if you go to community college?"

"Honestly, I don't know. All I know is that I want to play basketball no matter what." 

I look at Jake and grin. Even though imma miss him next year, I want him to still be happy right here in New York. At least I know he'll still be playing basketball, a sport that we both are crazy about.

"Hm... you sound like Sam." My mom eyeballs me while eating her food. "But that's all right."

"Cool. Are you done interviewing him now?" I ask.

"No." My mom looks at me while eating, giving me the look. "I'd like to know how you two-- or when you two became boyfriend and girlfriend, thank you very much."

Jake looks at me. I sigh and say, "It was during New Years, when the ball dropped."

"Ohhh, okay. And how come nobody ever told me? I should be able to meet my daughter's boyfriends, right?" She asks with a hint of playful attitude.

"I just forgot to bring it up, I guess..."

"Mhmm. So, Jake, how do I know that you'll be a gentleman with my daughter?"

"MOM!"

"Shush now, Sam."

I groan and look to Antonio for help, but he shrugs and shakes his head.

"Well, with all due respect, Mrs. Goode, I've known you for a few years and seen you at several basketball games. You know that I'm friendly and treat everyone with respect. Me and Sam have been friends since Freshman year, and I care about her a lot." He grins at me and I try not to blush as I look down at my food.

"That's true... you've been a great friend to Sam and I appreciate that. I trust you, Jake. Let me ask you something: where do you see yourselves in the future? Or is this just a high school fling?"

"Mom!" I can't believe she would say that!

"What, Sam? I remember dating boys in high school that I never once talked to again once I was in college. I know you want to have fun, but relationships are serious. But not so much in high school--"

"Now Martha, you can't assume that teens these days behave exactly like you did when you were their age," Antonio says.

"Thank you!" I say. He finally got my back.

"Yes, but kids will be kids. We were her age once. I just want to know where you two plan on letting this relationship go?"

"It's really none of your business," I reply, with a little attitude.