Tom Daley: Mr. Perfect

Chapter 2: So far no disasters

"How are you feeling Olivia?" I asked. It had been 5 days and she was clear to go home.

She gave me a thumbs up. "Awesome!"

The nurses disconnected her from a whole bunch of machines, and was telling her about what the next few days at home should be like while recovering, and when to take her medicine and stuff like that.

I heard the door to our room open... But our whole family was already inside.

"Hello?" A... British voice said.

"No." I groaned under my breath.

"Who are you?" My dad said.

"Tom Daley," he smiled just like yesterday. "The real question is... Who is she?" He pointed at me.

Everyone was quiet for a minute. "What are you doing here?" My mom asked.

"I met this wonderful lady yesterday, and I never caught her name." He replied.

My dad went into protective father mode. "That's my daughter. Why are you asking?" He almost growled.

"Oh, I think you know why I'm asking."

"Go away. Leave me alone. I'm not interested." I said to Tom.

"I don't know, he seems like a nice guy, are you sure you want him to leave?" My mom piped in. She was always encouraging me to date more. "Would you like to have dinner with us?"

"What?" I said, shocked.

"YES!" Of course was Tom's reply.

My mom gave him directions to our house. "I'll meet you over there!" He said.

After he left our conversation went like this.

Me: "MOM!"

Mom: "Yes?"

Me: "Mom?"

Mom: He seems like such a nice funny friendly guy! Perfect for you!"

Me: "But,"

Mom: "But what?" She replied. "I think dating someone like him would make your life better. You've seemed really down lately. Meeting new people is always good."

Me: "You think I'm going to date him?"

Dad: "Yeah! You think she's going to date him?"

Mom: "Honey, don't you want our daughter to date people? It's good for her! And remember when we were dating?"

The ride home consisted of mom and dad telling dating stories. And when we got home, Olivia and I helped dad make burgers. We always help cook.

"Do you LIIIKE him?" Olivia asked me. She loves romance movies, I could tell this thing with Tom was making her excited.

"To be honest," I said, and motioned her to move into the living room so mom couldn't hear.

"To be honest, I think he's really cute and he seems super nice."

Olivia smiled. "I think you guys would be FABULOUS together. You should marry him!"

"Oh! I don't think I'll be marrying him any time soon."

"But you have to get married some time! I want to go to your wedding." Olivia was 21 years old. And she thought that she would never get married. Which sadly may be true. I mean, I don't know anyone with autism who's ever gotten married. We don't talk about that though.

Then the doorbell rang. Olivia ran to get it. I helped my mom set the table so it looked like I wasn't just sitting there. And because I love my mom, of course.

"My name's Olivia!" I heard her say to Tom.They chatted for a while which I couldn't hear.

"Hello Mr..." Tom paused, approaching my dad.

"Carson." My dad replied.

My mom walked over to him. "Hello Tom!" She said cheerfully. I'm surprised she remembered his name! She's never very good with names. She mixes up mine and Olivia's all the time. It makes Olivia laugh.

"Hello Mrs. Carson. Do you need any help?" He asked.

"You can help Winston flip the burgers if you want!" My dad patted his back and they headed to the back yard. He had lightened up after telling dating stories.

Him and dad brought burgers back in. I stood with my arms crossed as he walked over to me.

"So," he said with his glowing smile. "What's your name?"

I hesitated for a minute, and finally decided to tell him. "Zoey."

"Zoey..." He repeated. After a few seconds I realized he wanted to know my middle name.

"Zoey Colleen."

"Zoey Colleen Carson," he said with satisfaction. "Nice to meet you Zoey Colleen Carson."

"It's been a while since I've used my full name."

"Well I like it."

"Well thanks."

So far no disasters.