A Second Chance

My escape

32 weeks.

"James, what's going on?" Jessica asks him.

"Nothing, why?"

"You've been really happy."

"So? I am happy!" He laughs.

"For what?"

"Schools going well.. things are good around here.. the baby's on his way.. life is good." He smiles.

"I don't believe you.  Do you have a girlfriend?"

"No!" He laughs.

"Yes he does!" Michael says.

Jessica smiles as her jaw drops, "James! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Because I don't!  And how do you know?!" He turns to Michael.

"Grandma Jane told me."

"How does she know?!"

"Grandma Jane knows everything."

"That's true." Jessica nods.

"James Alaxander, why did you lie to me? If you have a girlfriend, I wanna meet her." She smiles.

"Uh I don't know."

"Why?"

"I don't want you guys to be weird and scare her off."

"Ah! James!" Jessica looks at him with a shocked expression.

"What would be do?" Michael asks.

"I don't know.  I just thought I'd be weird.. I don't know, I've never had a girl over."

"Well let's not have her over to the house.  I'm not That great of a cook!  Plus, I'm just too lazy!

We can go to Grazia!" She smiles big.

"The baby would love Grazia!"

"Heh, alright, I'll ask her if she'd like to joining us for dinner."

"Yay!  Wait!  Oh shit!"

"What?"

"None of my fancier clothes fit me!"

"A tshirt and jeans will be fine." James says.

"Nuh uh!  If I'm gonna meet my sons girlfriend, I'm gonna look nice!  She needs to see how the number one one woman in your life has herself together."

"You're a dork, mom." Michael says.

"Michael!"

James laughs and Sam walks downstairs, "I don't like any of you right now!  Sam, you wanna come with me to find something for tonight?"

"No and what's tonight?"

"We're meeting James' girlfriend!" She smiles.

"And why don't you wanna go with me?!" She pouts.

"I hate shopping!  Plus being asked fifty times, Do I look fat in this?  Do I look fat in this?" His voice goes high. 

"I think I'll stay."

"Samuel!  You're hurting my feelings!"

"Ugh fine!  I'll go.."

"Yay thanks!" Jessica snaps out of her sadness.

***

"Thank you for coming with me, Sam.  I hate being alone.."

"No problem, ma.."