When We Were Young

Chapter 3

Her first full week of classes had flown by and before she knew it, it was Friday afternoon. Nana had agreed to let her spend the night at Emily's as long as her parents would be there. Amalia had assured her that they would and so Friday afternoon after school found her over at Emily's getting ready. They had a few hours to kill until the other girls came over and the two watched movies and chatted until 7 pm.

"So how long has your family lived in the area?" Amalia asked looking around her room.

"Pft, forever," she said with a grimace. "Sorry, TMI, but I'm pretty sure I was conceived in this house," she said with a laugh.

"Eww! Way more information about your parents than I need to know!" Shrieked Amalia covering her ears.

"What?" Emily looked at her straight-faced, "maybe I shouldn't tell you but I'm pretty sure that they have a better sex life than I will ever will."

"LALALALA" I can't hear you! Amalia pretended to retch.

"Like rabbits those two!" Emily was straight out cackling now, clearly enjoying Amalia's discomfort.

"OMG! Emily! How am I ever supposed to look your parents in the eyes again!" Amalia rubbed her hands over her eyes like she was physically trying to scrub the images from her brain. Seriously, though, how was she supposed to look at the demure Ms. Thomas and the jovial Mr. Thomas the same way? "Ugh gross!"

"That's what I want someday," Emily said suddenly. Her giggles having subsided.

"Ugh no please, I can't take anymore." Amalia pleaded.

"No, I mean, joking aside," Emily looked pensive. "I mean yea, it's freaking gross to think about, but I'd rather have my parents doing that than just existing together you know? Or worse, hating each other's guts."

"I guess..." Amalia still looked skeptical.

"I mean," Emily bit her lip continuing, "They're still in love after all this time...It's kinda cute and weird because they're my parents but they still have fun together. They do date night every week and every couple of months they go on weekend trips together. And they're not afraid to say 'I love you'."

Amalia looked at her thoughtfully, quirking her head to the side thinking.

Emily grinned suddenly, "you know you kind of look like a confused owl when you do that." She laughed.

"Seriously?" Amalia asked annoyed, her serious train of thought completely getting derailed by the comment. "Ya, it's kind of funny, your eyes get all big and you purse your lips like this," she proceeded to demonstrate her best quizzical impression.

"If I look anything like that," I seriously need to practice my facial motions.

"Rude." Emily chucked a pillow at her, which thankfully missed.

The two both laughed before Amalia got thoughtful again, "seriously though, about what you said before, about your parents. I get it; I'd like that too, someday too."

"I know, it's weird." Replied Emily after a second.

"No, it's not. I think it's important to know what you are looking for and realize the value you in it. There's a lot of bad things that can happen and keeping things in perspective is always good." Amalia offered her a smile that, if Emily had looked hard enough, would see did not quite reach her eyes.

"Hey, that reminds me, you never told me about your parents," thankfully Emily was distracted climbing to her feet and did not notice Amalia's face go slightly ashen.

However before she could respond with some evasive comment, they both heard the doorbell ring. "I'll get it!" Emily yelled at the top of her lungs dashing towards the door.