The Unveiling - Modern Magic: Book 1

Chapter 21

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Chapter 21 - Dinner is Never Just Dinner

I'm sure it was no consolation, but Diana looked incredibly adorable as she practically radiated nervous energy. It also helped that it was more than a little nice to think that she really wanted this to go well. We had both dropped the important three-word-phrase, but reassurance that your significant other is as invested in the relationship as you are is never a bad thing. Dinner was at 7:30 which just happened to provide us with a wonderful view of the sunset - albeit mostly in my rear-view mirror. It was one of those evenings where nearly the whole sky had changed to various hues of reds and purples. I thought that was the perfect start to the evening.

Diana alternated between picking nervously at her shimmering silver top and running her hands along her dark jeans. "Are you sure I'm not under dressed?"

I smiled and gently laid a hand over hers that was on the jean-rubbing stage. "You're perfect. It's just my parents; don't worry. They're going to love you." I glanced over at her for a moment, giving her a reassuring smile before I focused on the road again. "I think the only thing to worry about is my dad talking your ear off about science stuff."

I saw her smile and nod out of the corner of my eye. "I'd actually be ok with that. It might be easier to talk about a topic I'm used to than a series of questions about myself."

I laughed lightly and shook my head. "So, you're saying you know science better than you know yourself?" I turned slightly so she could see the raise of a single eyebrow. She sighed and gave me a light swat on the shoulder. The last bit of our drive went with mostly silence, but I thought some of Diana's nervousness had subsided.

We arrived at my parents' house. I noticed Diana's smile as she looked around at its modest size, but nice look. On the weekends, my parents would usually find small projects to help the upkeep of the home or add resale value for when retirement rolled around. I knocked on the door, and the door opened only a moment or two later, revealing my dad. "Hello, kids. Come on in. Your timing is practically perfect. Lisa is grabbing the lasagna out of the oven right now."

After the standard greetings between my parents and Diana - my parents both insisting she call them by Jeff and Lisa - we sat down for dinner. I noticed the usual dark circles beneath my dad's eyes were more pronounced than usual, even though his smiling hid them fairly well. As I was helping get some dishes moved from the kitchen to the dining area, I also thought my mom seemed rather nervous. It seemed odd, but part of me could actually believe she was as nervous about the dinner as Diana.

As predicted, my parents loved Diana. It didn't take long for her to lose most of her nervousness as we all enjoyed the wonderful food and company. For the first half hour or so, Diana didn't have much chance to enjoy the food as my parents went through a standard series of first-meeting questions. Most of the dinners with my parents usually consisted of "How was your week", so this was an interesting change for all of us.

Eventually, Diana was given a break when my mom remembered about the rolls she had put into the oven to warm. She asked me to help. I gave Diana a reassuring smile as I joined my mom in the prep area of the kitchen. As I helped with the slightly burned rolls, I could hear Diana and my dad talking.

My mom leaned over and whispered in my ear, "How much have you shared with her?" It was easy to guess the meaning behind her question.

"She knows. Pretty much everything." As my mom looked surprised, I shrugged. "She was there when James attacked. She's far too smart for any lie to have possibly held up. Besides..." I finished moving the rolls to a small basket for the table. "I didn't want to lie." I looked at her, and I really hoped she could see that I wasn't judging her own choices with my dad; just making choices of my own. Her eyes flicked between mine for a moment before she took and deep breath and nodded. We both headed back to the table.