Summer and May

Chapter Forty-Six: May

"White dress, or blue?" I held each option up to myself in the mirror, swiveling around and staring at him, awaiting a response.

With dubious eyes, he clearly didn't know what to say. "Darlin', they're both beautiful."

I softened, oblivious to the fact that I was extremely tense just seconds ago. "Thanks, Dad. I don't even know why I'm stressed... We're just friends."

Now, his eyes sported the no bullshit glare. I'd received that glare from him many times in my life. "Keep telling yourself that, kid. I met him, you know."

"You did." I repeat, deciding on blue. I jaunted to my closet, yanking out a pair of sandals... and five more pairs after that.

"And he's crazy about you. You're meeting his parents, for Lord's sake." he stood, smoothing out the spot on my comforter where he'd just been sitting. "Wear your white Converse. Just clean 'em up a little bit."

He shifted out of the room, closing the door behind him. I chuckled to myself, playing with the ring on my right finger. I silently asked my mom for grace and strength, knowing I was heading into uncharted territory. 

The baby blue dress was short-sleeved, the skirt stopping at my mid-thigh. The sweetheart neckline tied in a sophisticated knot at the front, and the cotton fabric accentuated my frame delicately. My hair, longer now than it was at the beginning of the summer, framed my face in subtle waves. The necklace I chose was the same color as my eyes, the Chucks worked perfectly, and the white cardigan I plucked from my closet was fresh out of the dryer.

With each step to the car, I convinced myself that I was about to meet a friend's parents, that I had no one to impress and nothing to worry about. Those quiet convictions worked for about five minutes, until I pulled into Sully's driveway. Seeing Jeremy's face at the other end of my Jeep made everything else go blurry. His smile was wide when he opened my door, and wider when he pulled me in for a hug, sneaking a kiss against my cheek.

"You smell amazing," he said into my hair. "is that weird?"

I giggled, shaking my head. "You do too, so I guess not."

He beamed, shot a quick glance at the house, and pulled me close. "Tonight, you're my friend... but for right now, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."

I smiled, wishing I could kiss him. He shuts my car door, and we begin walking up my driveway. "I'm nervous," I admit immediately.

"They're going to love you."

From the second I walked into the door, I believed he was right. Jeremy's parents were kind, charming, and charismatic people. 

"Is this May?" Jeremy's mom asked, pulling me in for a hug. Her brown hair and light eyes were just like Jeremy's, with a warm smile. She was taller than I expected.

"It's nice to meet you both," I said, receiving a hug from Jeremy's father. He was built just like him, tall and athletic. His hair was longer, just reaching his shoulders. 

The next hour flew by. His mom cooked a whole chicken for us, and allowed me to help with the potatoes. Jeremy's parents couldn't get over how great the house looked.

"May's been helping me. She's got good attention to detail." Jeremy said, picking up our plates and bringing them to the kitchen.

"Is that so?" His mom asked, a residual smile on her lips. She was so feminine and beautiful. I touched my ring, thinking of my own mom. "Jere also says you fixed up Sully's truck."

I nodded. "It was my pleasure."

Relishing in his last bite of food, Jeremy's father, also named Sullivan, pointed his fork in my direction. "I haven't seen that thing run since I was a teenager. How on earth did you do that? It's wildly impressive. You must know your way around an engine."