Broken Memory ✓

13. Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

"Fine, we'll do it," Mom groans. She wipes her hands off on a paper towel and throws it away. I sit at the kitchen table a little bit away from her, but we can hear each other just fine. "But I'm not going to like it very much. I'm doing this for you."

"Thank you!" I grin. "When are we going to plan on doing it?"

"Probably a Friday evening."

"This Friday evening?" I push a little.

"Calm down there," Mom shoots me a slightly annoyed look, shutting me down. "That's only about three days from now."

"We can make it work!" I insist, my voice hopeful.

"Fine. Friday. If it's okay with everyone else. But you need to buy the ingredients I need with your dad. I have stuff to do yet."

"Thank you!" I give her a hug, making her a bit more eased, then head to my room. I put both Connor and Caleb in a groupchat with me and tell them the date we're planning on doing it.

All that's left to do is wait and see what they say.

"See you later!" I wave.

"See you at six!" Connor grins at me. I grin back and Caleb and I watch as he walks the rest of the way to his house.

"Should I wear anything certain?" Caleb asks as we stop before I make the turn to my house.

"Uh... I mean, probably a fancier casual. Nothing like sweatpants. I don't know," I shrug. He nods.

"Would you be opposed to me getting you a present?" the left side of his mouth raises at a half smile. He stares, waiting for an answer, and his eagerness makes me dish out a grin.

"Not at all, but make sure you give it to me in private depending on what it is. I don't want to freak out my mom. I'm sure you know that already, though."

"Yeah. I'll see you then," Caleb waves and I continue down the path to my house.

When I walk inside, Mom sits on the couch with a piece of paper in her hand. Upon seeing me, she says, "hey. Here's a list of things to buy. Plus anything you'd like to add to the meal. Try to be back at a reasonable time - don't goof off... And I'm trusting you on this. The list isn't that long."

I take the list and examine it. There looks to be about 10 items. Maybe a little less. "Thank you."

"Of course. Go get your dad so you guys can go. I'll tidy up the house. And tonight, you're wearing a dress. Please."

My mood drops a tiny bit at the dress thing - do we really need to be that formal?- but I comply anyways. I was already pushing it by even suggesting this dinner, the least I can do is wear a dress for the evening.

I call Dad and we head out and to the store. He lets me go collect the groceries independently, letting me get everything as he looks around, and it actually is a nice change. Maybe less efficient. but it makes me feel more... Trusted? Independent?

It's quite pathetic, to be frank.

But it fits since I'm quite pathetic.

When I finish and get home, Mom is scampering to clean up everything. She seems to want to make a really good impression, especially after what happened with Caleb, which is good since we need a better impression. She nods at me and Dad when we walk in holding the bags and continues to vacuum the living room carpet. We set the groceries on the table and I begin to unpack everything while Dad goes to help clean.

Mom agreed on this dinner on a few conditions. I have to buy the groceries so she can clean everything to her heart's content, I have to cook the meal since she's usually the one cooking dinner, and I have to help clean up after everything is done with. On top of that, I now need to wear a dress... But I'm fine with that condition. At first I'll probably feel uncomfortable... But it's worth it for this chance of trust between me and Mom and us and my friend's families.