How Could This Be Real?

30. What's The Age Difference?

I told David the directions to my house but I was nervous the whole way. What were my parents going to say? What would they think of him? They'd said they supported us, but they probably thought I was never going to see him again. We pulled into the driveway and I took a deep breath as I opened the front door.

"I'm home!" I called and Maya came down the stairs to greet me. She sniffed David once and immediately started licking his hand.

I smiled but it wavered when my mom said, "Good, we have some things to discuss."

"Uh, can it wait? I, brought a visitor." I walked up the stairs to see them sitting on the couch and watching TV. David followed behind me and they blinked when they saw him.

"Squid?" my dad asked.

He nodded, "Mr. Cosgrove."

He stood and walked over to shake his hand, "Please, call me Steve."

He smiled politely, "Alright Steve. It's been a while."

"Indeed. What brings you here?"

He laced his fingers with mine and I chewed my lip. "I came to wish Angel a happy birthday."

My mom finally stood, "Is this... the friend you said you were spending the weekend with?"

"Yes, he is."

She looked at David, "Would you excuse us for a minute?"

He nodded, "Of course."

"Help yourself to whatever's in the kitchen." My mom walked down the hall to my room so my dad and I followed her. She shut the door and crossed her arms, "Well, it seems we have even more to discuss now." I waited for her to continue, standing tall. "I suppose I'll start where I was going to before. Angel, you can't just send a text saying, 'Staying with a friend for the weekend, see you soon.' You need to ask us first."

"I thought you would say no if I told you who it was."

"Well, you're wrong. I would have gladly agreed, as long as you came home for the night. Which brings me to the next thing. Where did you stay?"

"At a hotel."

"Did anything... happen?"

I rolled my eyes, "Really mom?"

"Just answer the question."

"No, nothing happened."

"Your, boyfriend, comes around and brings you to a hotel." I could tell she didn't like saying 'boyfriend.' "I have a hard time believing absolutely nothing happened."

"Well we slept together, but that's not bad."

Her lip twitched, "Your clothes were on, yes?"

I scoffed, "Seriously mom, I think this is enough."

"Were your clothes on?" she asked again forcefully.

"We took our shirts off, but that's it."

She closed her eyes, "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She sighed, but I don't think it was from relief, "Alright. Thank you for telling me."

"Yeah, are we done now?"

"What else did you do yesterday?"

"Went to a movie, went ice skating, went to dinner, kissed a lot," she flinched at that and I had to hide a smirk, "I think that's it."

"So, you're pretty serious then?"

"Yes."

She paused, then asked, "What's the age difference?"