Loving Her

Chapter 6

My family, the Archers weren't really close to our relatives. We would occasionally visit them and we'd get the once in a blue moon pop up from grandparents and cousins.

However one family member in particular couldn't stay away even if we wanted her to which we didn't, well atleast I didn't. 

My grandma Cathy was the wittiest elderly woman I've ever met and I've met plenty.  Why have I met plenty? Well, that's because Cathy Summers lived in a home made for the elderly. 

Today, just like many other times grandma decided to grace us with her presence, she was here to check up on her daughter,  my mom, her 'lovely kiddos' and the nerd.
That's what grandma calls my dad,  the scrawny son-in-law that was always interested in books and never cared too much about the football match that grandma and grandpa used to tell him he was too puny for.

It sounds like bullying but it's a two way street with grandma and dad. They never kept their  dislike for one another a secret but the dinner table was where everything was put on hold, it had to be.  It was mom's rule. 

"Logan where is that nice young man that was over here the last time I came to visit? " grandma asked with a mouthful of chicken pie in her mouth.

Logan was nervous,  I could tell because she gave a grimace.  I was confused even though I shouldn't have been.  I thought that she had started seeing Noah again but now I wasn't so sure. 

"Well, gran Noah and I aren't together anymore. I'm okay though, I wasn't that into him. " she casually replied.

"Oh honey you can't say that you and Noah have been together for so long. And with his mom's death he  needs someone to be there for him now more than ever." My mom said this as she skilfully cut the hard pie crust.

My dad cleared his throat and glared and my mother.

"Janet, I told you and  your daughter that I do not like that boy so why do you continue to encourage their relationship?" He said looking like he would start flipping the table at any moment.

"Mom, Noah's mom died like a year ago, he's okay now.  " Logan replied,  successfully ignoring my dad's input.

My eyes widened like saucers and grandma who sat next to me noticed my reaction and almost fell off her chair laughing. She always thought Logan's insensitivity was hilarious. Not me though.

"That's not something that you get over Logan. His mom died,  he didn't fail a test. " I growled and gave her a death stare.

"I know that,  what do you think I am a, heartless creature? Besides I was there for him when he cried for days,  I can't put myself through that for another year." She replied looking as stressed as ever, as if she was the one hurting.

That broke me. 
"You can't go through that? She wasn't your mom Logan!"

"Girls! That's enough, if your grandmother and father aren't allowed to slaughter one another at the dinner table then you two aren't allowed to either." My mom scowled.

"She started it. " Logan whined like the immature teen she was.

"Sorry." I apoligised,  only because I couldn't think of anything else besides 'No she  started it' to reply with.

"Okay so Logan isn't dating that hunk of a boy anymore,  how about you Liann,  do you have a special man in your life that you'd like me to meet?" Every pair of eyes around the table were now on me.

Great now what will I tell her?

"No, mom Liann doesn't have a boyfriend and if she does we haven't met him."

"She doesn't and I'd like to keep it that way,  at least someone is respecting my wish.  " Dad mumbled

"I'm still waiting for an answer from you, Liann." Grandma said eyeing me suspiciously.

I shoved a forkfull of pie in my mouth and chewed so fast I don't think I gave myself enough time to come up with an answer. Logan however was enjoying watching me fry. 

"N-no grandma,  no boyfriend ." I finally managed to get out.

"How come? You are absolutely gorgeous baby girl. I know a young Leonardo DiCaprio that does volunteer work at the home. I could get his number for ya if you like?"

My face burned like a hot plate. My grandmother really had no shame.

"No grandma I'm good, please don't do that."

At this point Logan couldn't contain herself and burst out laughing.

"Catherine, I don't appreciate you trying to set my daughter up with some elderly home, worker I actually don't appreciate you setting her up with anyone and you still have the nerve to talk about it infront of me. That's just disrespectful and-"

"Michael! That's-"

My curiosity peaked as knocking came from the door.

In my eagerness to be excused from the table I quickly got up and yelled that I would be opening the door.

We weren't expecting any visitors so I was a bit hesitant   to open the door and as I looked through the peep hole my heart dropped.

It was Charlie from the party. He was good company at the time and I had been in touch with Madison since then but he and I had no business with each other.

He seemed like a good person that day. So I set aside the thoughts of him being a possible stalker and murderer and opened the door.

Charlie stood outside dressed in a navy blue polo shirt,  beige golf shorts and a charming smile that I couldn't help but return. 

"Hey,  sorry to come by so late we were wondering if you could join us for a ride? "

"Hi Charlie, how do you know where I live and who is we? "

Charlie laughed,  slightly nervous but still keeping his boyish charm that he obviously hadn't out grown,  however it was clear that he was no longer a boy.

"Oh sorry,  I forgot to say that I'm only the chauffeur,  Madison has the plan. She's in the car with Joseph."

It was weird that he called his brother Joseph but that's not what concerned me the most. They wanted me to go out with them.  Of course I couldnt do that.  I barely knew them.

"Of course Liann will join you but I'm going to need an introduction, to see licences and I need to know who else is in the car. "
My mom smiled as she stood next to me in the door way looking as chuffed as she did the day I told her I made a friend. 

Charlie's smile returned and my mom practically swooned. I had a feeling that this was not his first time meeting a girl's parents.

"No problem Ms. Archer, here you go." he handed her his license that showed a younger looking version of himself that looked exactly like Joe.
"And it will be my brother,  Joe and our bestfriend Madison joining us in the car, assuming you would let her accompany us of course."

My mom practically shoved his license in his chest and shoved me out with it. 
She blew me a kiss and said 'Bye sweetie ' and I was then met with a closed door in my face.

I guess I'm going on a ride then with three nearly perfect strangers.

I turned to look at Charlie and he wiggled his brows,  making me giggle.

"C'mon Charlie let's go. "