Esterville (Book 1)

Chapter 17: The Photo

When Oliver got home from the movie theater, Caitlin welcomed him with a bowl of Campbell's chicken noodle soup.

"Hey Mom," said Oliver, kissing her cheek.

He is surprised to see her wearing a blue tank top and baby pink shorts. Her blond hair looks disheveled from sleeping.

Yet, her blue eyes were awake.

"Have you been sleeping this whole time?" he observed.

"Yes, Oliver." yawned Caitlin.

"Shouldn't be working at the bookstore?"

His mother shook her head.

"I am taking the day off."

Oliver's brow made an arch above his eye.

"Really?" he asks.

Caitlin nodded, "yes, go ahead and eat your soup. I have already set the table for you."

Frowning, he carries his bowl of soup over to the table, where his spoon, napkin, and a glass of milk waited for him.

After washing the dirty dishes, Caitlin made careful strides over to her son and asked him how his day went.

"Great," answered Oliver. "I got an A plus on a Math test, I have an A- in Science, and no one sat with me at lunch."

Caitlin frowned at that last part.

"So, how did your date go with Harriet?" she asks

"It was fine," insisted Oliver.

"We ate popcorn, watch Beauty and the Beast, and we held hands."

Caitlin saw him blush when he said, "hands". 

"Do you like this Harriet?" implied Caitlin.

She pulls a chair from underneath the table and placed it next to Oliver.

As soon as she sat down, Caitlin saw the crimson forming on his pale cheeks.

She could tell that her son is embarrassed.

"Oliver," she began, laughing. "I can see you blushing."

"Mom-"

"Is she nice to you?"

"Yes." he replied, "Harriet does fundraising for the school. Her friends are nice too, but sometimes they treat me like a ghost."

"Oh, I am sorry."

"No worries."

"Do you like Harriet?" she repeats.

I guess there is no way to hide it, he thought.

"Yes."

"Does she like you?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know," he sighed. " she called me 'cute and smart'-"

"She did?" squealed Caitlin.

When Oliver nodded, she wraps her arms around him and gave him a warm embrace.

"But after Harriet said them, she bolted."

Suddenly, Oliver turned to her and asked,

"Mom, why are girls confusing?"

Caitlin tilts her head quizzically, as she ended their embrace.

"What?"

"Why are girls confusing?" repeats Oliver.