Friends And More Than Friends

Twenty Six

We are greeted by Natalie's mom at the door. Seemly we interrupted a conversation about how to bake cookies.

"Peanut butter cookies are the easiest to make." Natalie's mom says before before turning to see who we were, "Awe my babies are here, you look so nice."

"Thanks mom." Nat says as we walk in and she closes the door behind me.

"Your turning twenty now maybe I should stop calling you my baby." She laughs, "awe it's so nice to see you again josi. Christmas wasn't that long ago tho."

"Yeah, I loved that party." I say in return while we still stand in the front of the open living room.

"Well I remember right I haven't met your lady, Natalia." Her grandma says from the couch.

"Don't call me Natalia, Grammy." Nat retorts.

"Then don't call me Grammy" she states.

"What would you like to be called then. "

"By my name, of course. It's only proper manners."

"Okay, Clarice."

"Very good, Natalie."

"Well this is josi. She's my girlfriend." She says as we walk closer to her.

"Nice to meet you dear." She says in a sweet old voice.

"Like wise, Clarice." I say mannerly.

"See Natalie you could learn a few things from this girl, she's a keeper." She nudges her arm.

"I know. . . So what's next on the party agenda mom?" She says.

"Ummm. . . ?. . . Food or gifts your choice." She pranced into another room.

"Gifts totally." She walks into a back room as I follow. I know my way around I just wanna stay with her.

"Gift time! everyone in the livingroom! Honey come carry these." Natalie's mom, Jordan, yells from the back room. We follow her and ask to help.

"There isn't much but sure. Mostly cards and small gifts." She says handing us things.

We take them out to the living room and set every thing next to where she wants her to sit.

"Do you know how many birthday parties I've had, that we do the same thing every year?"

"Let me guess this would be your twentieth?" I'm always right.

"Atleast."

"Sit down, Natalie." Her mother says bring in gifts.

"Okay. . . I didn't think I would still be getting presents when I'm twenty." She says.

"Next year it'll be a trip to the bar." Her Dad spoke up.

"Blake this is Chicago I think the kid has already been there." Clarice says.

"Not really I haven't been in a bar." Natalie says which I know is actually true.

"Yeah." I agree.

"You don't say?" Blake goes.

"Of course I've drank somethings, tho." Natalie admits.

"True. . . " I smile.

"How old are you Josi?" Clarice asks me.

"I turn 18 in the summer."

"Awe such beauty for a young girl."

"Don't try to compliment her Grammy it doesn't work." Natalie smiles.