A Place In This Life

Chapter 12

To me, punctuality is the sign of someone who is committed, whether to a job, a friend or a lover. In the case of a latter, it makes the receiver of that commitment more inclined to go out of their way to reciprocate. So, when Alex pulled into the driveway right at 7:00 on the dot, I vowed to give him my utmost attention before, during, and after our date. Not that I could even fathom having a lover, the potential was there.

I had been waiting in the living room with my parents, watching AFV and biding my time until the arrival of my date.

"You look very nice, Nally," said my dad.

"Remember to invite him inside — we want to meet him," said my mom, her face not looking up from her embroidery project.

"I will, I will," I said, my fingers fidgeting with each other, ears peeled for the ding of the doorbell. I knew Alex was out there — I just wish he'd hurry up and rescue me from the awkward parental waiting game.

I dropped my purse when the bell tolled, dashing for the door and nearly falling and lobbing my head on the doorknob. And because I'd grabbed the knob with my hand, I'd pulled my wrist and wrenched my shoulder, causing me to yelp when I righted myself.

"Is that your dog?" I heard from the other side of the door. We did not have a dog.

"It was me," I said, opening the door to the dark Adonis who stood on the porch. Our porch light wasn't working, so he blended with the night. Were it not for his light-colored face and the clean, sharp scent of cologne, Alex would have been almost invisible.

A big grin spread across both of our faces.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to mistake you for the dog."

"If we had a dog," I said. "Please come in."

He hesitated for a moment before placing one black boot in front of the other, then waiting for me to lead him to the slaughter.

"My parents want to meet you," I whispered in his ear, trying to inhale another breath of his scent.

"Sure," he said. This time my mom looked up, her jaw dropping slightly before she composed its obvious slack. My dad just looked and didn't say anything.

"Mom, dad — this is Alex." Both stood up and shook his hand, my mother doing so a tad longer than necessary. Alex's large hands enveloped my mother's little grip.

"So, you're going to dinner and the movies?" asked my dad.

"Yes — Beachfire, and the movie's a surprise," said Alex, casting a smile toward my mom. Her jaw loosened again.

"Have fun. It was nice to meet you, Alex," she said, sitting back down, her fingers sitting dully on her embroidery, her mind lost in thought.

"Have a great time, kids," said my dad with what I swore was a little smile.

It was hard to admit, but Alex had made a favorable impression on my parents. Perhaps even more than Todd had. However, this was a normal date, where the guy picks up the girl and off they go. With Todd, it was all shotgun and surprises, from the moment we met to his recent visit by bus. Nothing was expected.

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The smoky, sweet atmosphere of the restaurant stirred my stomach, allowing it to find hunger in all my nervousness. From behind my menu, I scanned the selections, looking for something that wouldn't mess up my face or land in a greasy, red lump in my lap.

Alex ordered the same as me, excusing the adoring waitress by handing her our menus, folding his hands and looking directly at me.

"I've never taken anyone to dinner before."