Summer 1986
"Brad, PLEASE be nice to him," Karen begged.
Brad slammed the handle of the butter knife on the island countertop, looked up at the ceiling and moaned, "Mom!"
"I mean it, young man," she warned.
"And you didn't mean it the other thirty times you told me?" he raised his eyebrows, looking at her over the top rim of his sunglasses.
"Bradley, if I wasn't so tired...." she shook her finger.
"I know," he smiled at her empty threat, "you'd beat me." He picked up the knife and spread the peanut butter on the whole wheat bread, "Come on, Mom. Give me some credit here. It's not everyday that you bring home a guy."
Karen looked at her face in the toaster and walked around the island countertop. "Well," she said the one word as if it was the whole answer. She stood next to him and watched him drop jelly on the peanut butter. "Easier if you put the jelly on the other piece of bread," she whispered.
He dropped the knife handle on the counter, "Mom," he said in a warning tone and looked at her over his glasses.
"Sorry," she whispered as the doorbell rang. "That's him!" she gasped, slapped Brad on the bottom and walked around the counter.
"Ow!" Brad frowned.
She pointed at him, "That's for later, when I can't beat you because you're doing stuff behind my back!" she shook her finger and ran down the small hall that was next to the staircase.
"Mean old woman," Brad laughed and moved the jelly to the other piece of bread.
Brad and his mother had been alone for ten years. She was overprotective but Brad loved her. They were best friends, often sharing secrets, dreams and wishes.
Karen came back down the small hallway, pulling a man along behind her. Brad quickly put his glasses up on top of his head, pushing his hair back from his forehead. "Bradley, this is Gary," she held her hand out to the man.
Gary was a medium build man with short, brown hair and laughing green eyes. "Hello Bradley," he held out his hand, over the counter.
Brad brushed his hand on his flannel shirt and shook his hand, "Hi. Just Brad."
"Just Gary," he smiled and nodded.
"I'll be out in a minute," Karen patted his shoulder.
"Don't be long," he whispered and gave her a quick kiss, then turned and went back down the hall.
She laid on the counter and Brad laid on the other side, so that their faces were closer together. "What do you think?" she whispered.
"I saw him for a hot second!" he laughed and she waved her hand, in a gesture of quiet. Brad looked down the hall, then back at her, "He didn't hear," he hissed.
She raised up and made a wince, "Well, you're no help," she said in a normal tone.
Brad straightened and put his hand on his hip. He smiled, "I wasn't aware that I was supposed to be," he shrugged, "He's your boyfriend, Mama," he put on a thick southern accent, "It's whatever ya want it to be."
"Funny," she grimaced at him.
"It's up to ya'll whatchya make of it. I doan know nuttin'," he shook his head, picked up his PBJ and took a bite.
"Bradley," she sighed.
"Mum, mum, mum," he said and walked around the counter.
"Fine!" she gasped, turned and went down the hall.
Brad laughed to himself as he slid the patio door open. He stepped out into the sunshine and pulled the sunglasses off his head, moving them to his face.
The phone rang as he fell into a patio chair. He picked up the hand held set and touched the green button, "Yeah?" he smiled.
"What are you doing?" Melody asked excitedly.
"Eating," he took a bite of his sandwich.
"Oh," she moaned.
"Why?" he mumbled.
"Free fries at the Bowling Alley tonight," she laughed, "Of course, you have to buy a burger...."
"Of course," he laughed and dropped his PBJ. "I could meet ya," he shrugged.
"Cool!" she said excitedly, "See ya at seven."
"Sounds cool," he laughed and lowered his voice, "Melody?"
"Yeah?" she asked shakily.
"Who begged you to call me?" he smiled and she was quiet. "Come on. I won't be mad," he urged.
"Ellen," she sighed.
"Melody!" Brad heard a girl squeal in the background.
"Ow!" Melody grunted.
"Put her on!" Brad said loud.
"No!" a girl gasped.
"Yes," Melody laughed and the argument was repeated two more times.
"Hello?" Brad smiled.
"Hello?" a girl whispered.
"Who is this?" Brad frowned.
"Uh...Ellen," she laughed nervously.
"Well hey," he said and picked up his sandwich, "Do I know you?"
"Uh, kinda," she laughed, "I'm in your math class."
He pointed at the phone, "Are you the real smart girl or the hot red head?"
"Uh," she was silent a moment, then laughed, "Both."
"Well alright," Brad laughed and her laughter was soft in his ear. "See ya at Pinheads'?" he asked softly.
"Sounds good," she said confidently.
