Dusty Shelves

Mothers

"Take your time!" Alice said as I got in the car. "It's nearly 6:00!"

"Sorry. I couldn't find any decent shoes" I said and looked down at my feet. I was wearing red converse that were in the best shape out of all of my shoes. I had a black t-shirt and jeans on. I was in my best clothes.

"Well, you look pretty good to me" she said and took my hand. We were driving down the road singing to Pump it Up by Elvis Costello and were receiving all kinds of looks from other drivers.

"This is the best song" I said and nodded my head to the beat. The guys in the gang had always annoyed me about my music preferences. They had been heavily into rap and hip hop. I thought it was all crap and stuck to rock.

When we arrived at the house, I got out quickly and opened Alice's door for her. She smiled and I put my arm around her waist. I was nervous about meeting her mum. I didn't have much experience with mothers and I had no idea what to expect.

"Calm down. You're freaking out. Just breath" she said and stopped me halfway up the path. I was starting to have a panic attack. I took a slow, deep breath and ran my hand through my hair.

"Sorry. Just not used to this kind of thing" I said. She gave me a hug and I wrapped my arms around her small frame.

"You'll be fine. Just be your normal, sweet, handsome self and she will love you"

"Ok" I said and we continued up the path.

I walked through the door and was greeted by Sammy running full speed at me. I crouched down to his level as he half crashed half jumped onto me. I picked him up and threw him in the air. He let out a fit of giggles which had me smiling and I cradled him like a baby.

"Hey Sammy"

"Hey Oli" he said with a smile.

"High five?"

"Yeah!" he said and smacked his small hand onto my large one. I put him down but he protested. He whining and I was worried he would start crying and I picked him up. I manoeuvred him around so I was giving him a piggy back ride.

"Hold on Sammy boy" I warned him and he tightened him arms around my neck, slightly choking me.

"Mum?" Alice called out as we walked into the lounge room. Jake was sitting doing what looked like homework. His face turned into bright smile as he saw me enter.

"She's in the kitchen with Patrice. Hey Ol" he said and cam over to me. I shook his hand and gave him a wink.

"Mum, could you come here?" Alice called out.

"Coming" I heard a friendly voice chirp back. Suddenly a familiar lady appeared in the lounge room wearing a blue evening gown. I knew I had seen her somewhere but I couldn't recall. She looked extremely dressed up for dinner.

"Hey mum, I would like you to meet someone" Alice said. I slid Sammy down my back and onto the floor. He went over to Jake who was calling him over.

"Why hello there!" she said with a wide smile. "Where have I seen you before?" she asked and it clicked. The business lady in the store with the urgent tone. She had the green eyes.

"Where you in the book store today?"

"Yes! That must have been it. you were the boy behind the counter"

"Yes that was me" I said with a smile.

"Well, I'm Karen, Alice's mother"

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Oliver" I said and held my hand out for her to shake.