The Distance Between Us

Chapter 2

Alexander followed Evelyn, his palms sweaty with nerves. The house was filled with vases of wildflowers. The floor was a beautiful stained wood and the walls were covered in slightly peeling cream colored wallpaper with small navy blue and pink flowers. She smiled at him reassuringly, entering the kitchen.

"Mother, this is Alexander Williams. I met him today, he's a musician. I invited him for supper." Evelyn said with a smile.

"Hello, Alexander. I'm Elizabeth Jacobs, its lovely to meet you. Evelyn rarely brings home friends, so this is a wonderful surprise." Mrs. Jacobs says hospitably.

Alexander offered a small smile to the woman. She appears to be in her late thirties with the same brown hair and a similar build as her daughter, only she's a bit taller. Her eyes are a beautiful emerald green with tiny amber flecks in them.

"The pleasure is all mine, ma'am. You have a lovely home." Alexander replied.

"Thomas, our daughter has brought a lovely guest home for supper!" She calls out, moving to the doorway.

Alexander took this moment to look around the beautiful kitchen. There was a stove and a small icebox, an apple pie in the window seal, a sink with a pink rag draped over the edge and a China cabinet full of beautiful dishes.
When his eyes reverted back to the doorway they were greeted by a rather stern looking man. Alexander's palms began to get sweaty again at the sight of this man.

"I-I'm Alexander Williams. Its nice to make your acquaintance, sir." He said, with a nervous tint to his voice and held out his hand.

Mr. Jacobs took the hand and shook it with a smile.

"There is no need to be nervous, son. I'm Thomas Jacobs, Evelyn's father. Its a mighty big pleasure to meet you." He said with a big, warm smile on his face. He then turned to Evelyn. "Now where'd you come across this young man? You haven't brought a friend home since you were a girl."

Evelyn looked over at Alexander and then back at her father.

"When I was on my walk this evening, I heard him playing. Father, he plays the saxophone so beautifully. Oh and Mother! He also plays piano, but I haven't had the pleasure of hearing that yet." She said, her fascination with the young man quite apparent as she spoke.

"That's wonderful, dear!" Mrs. Jacobs said with a smile as she picked up the roast chicken from the counter. "Alexander, could you carry the chicken to the table for me?" She asked warmly.

"Oh, yes! Of course, ma'am." He said, taking it from her.

"Evelyn, will you show him where to go, darling?"

"Yes, mother." She replied, showing him to the dining room.

"He seems like a lovely young man." Mrs. Jacobs said softly as they left. "It is quite apparrent that he has had no easiness in his life." She added, looking at her husband.

"I agree, but all we can do is show him kindness." He replied in a low tone.

"Mother, Father! Are you coming?" Evelyn said as she stepped into the kitchen with a smile.

"Yes, Evelyn. We were talking." Her father replies and gestures for her to go to the dining room. "We will be there in a moment."

Evelyn goes back to the simple dining room and sits on one of the six wooden chairs at the large table covered with a cream colored table cloth.

"I hope you're hungry, I made a fresh apple pie for dessert!" Evelyn said trying to make conversation with Alexander.

"Very much so, ma'am. I've only had an apple today." He said, his stomach grumbling.

"Call me Evelyn, please. I'm only sixteen, there is no need for such formalities, Mr. Williams."

"In that case, call me Alexander." He replied with a small smile. He was so fascinated by this sixteen year old girl. She was different in so many beautiful ways.

At that moment, Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs entered the dining room and took their seats.

"I do hope you're hungry, Mr. Williams." Mrs. Jacobs said, looking over at Alexander as she places a fraying navy colored napkin on her lap.

"Yes ma'am, I am. Evelyn was telling was earlier what a wonderful cook you are." He said, his hunger relevant in his voice.

Mrs. Jacobs smiled brightly.

"Let us eat then." Mr. Jacobs replied, cutting into the roast chicken.

The aroma filled the air and Alexander's mouth water slightly. Mr. Jacobs placed a large helping of chicken and a fair sized potato on Alexander's plate.

"Thank you, sir." He said, swallowing softly to keep from drooling over this beautiful dish.

The chicken and potatoes smelled of rosemary and thyme. The chicken was perfectly roasted, the skin just slightly brown and crisp and the center was tender and slightly juicy. The potatoes were a reddish-brown and were just slightly firm. The meal, in Alexander's eyes at least, was fit for a king.

Mr. Jacobs gave everyone a fair sized helping of food and then served himself and told everyone to eat.

Alexander cut into his helping of chicken and took a small bite, making a small sound of delight.

"Mrs. Jacobs, this chicken is wonderful!" He exclaimed before taking another bite.

"Why thank you, Mr. Williams. I was worried it wouldn't taste good."

He shook his head and swallowed another savory bite.

"It is wonderful. I've never tasted better food, but please don't tell Ms. Evers that." He said, taking a bite of potatoes.

The table went quiet for a moment and Evelyn paled slightly with worry.

"You live in Ms. Evers house?" Mr. Jacobs said a commanding, but kind tone.

"Yes sir, my mother passed when I was only four. My father works for the better part of the day, but he makes very little. Ms. Evers has raised my younger sister Rose and I. She's a wonderful lady." Alexander replied, trying to sound optimistic.

Mr. Jacobs went to say something and Mrs. Jacobs gently cut him off.

"Yes, she is. She taught me to play piano when we were young. She was considerably older than myself, but we were very close. How is she doing?"

"She is well. She busies herself teaching my sister to read, write and sew. She claims that it's quite nice having a young girl around to teach." Alexander replies.

They all continue to eat their supper, the tension is quite apparent.

In the end, Evelyn is the one to break the silence.

"Alexander, after supper could you play something for us on piano?"

He looks to Mr. Jacobs for approval and receives and small nod as a reply.

"I would love to, Miss Evelyn."

They finished supper in a much more comfortable silence after that.