Hope for the Hopeless

Chapter 14

It had been over a week since Hale had moved in. He was very clean. Hope barely even noticed that he was there, save for the fact that there was a boy in her bed every night she went to sleep and every morning when she woke up.

It was Saturday and Hale didn't have to work. Hope reached over for him, but he wasn't there. She patted his pillow a few times before rolling over to an empty bed. Well, there was a Post-It note. It said "Went for a run! xx Hale" Hope's eyes could barely open on their own and he was already out for a run? She grabbed her phone to check the time. It was 9am. Going for a run at 9am on a Saturday was a criminal offence in Hope's book. Her mother, on the other hand, had already called her three times.

Hope groaned as she pulled herself out of bed. She called her mother back as she waited for her espresso machine to warm up.

"Hopeful! My dear girl!" Jake and her mother thought it was hilarious that they had contradictory nicknames for her. Hil-ar-ious.

"Good morning, Mother."

"Oh, Hope. You haven't had your coffee yet, have you?"

"Nope. Not yet."

"My grumpy little baby," she cooed. Hope rolled her eyes.

"What can I help you with on this fine Saturday morning, Mom?"

"It is a beautiful day, isn't it?" Her mom trailed off. She did that sometimes.

"Mom!" Hope snapped, bringing her mother back to reality.

"Right. What was I saying?" Her mom paused, trying to find her train of thought.

"Nothing," Hope mumbled. "Absolutely nothing."

"Oh, right! I remember now! We're coming over for dinner tonight."

"I'm sorry, you're what?"

"You're having us over for dinner tonight," she stated matter of factly.

"I am?"

"Yes. You are. We heard that you have a new boyfriend and that he is living with you. You are making us dinner so that we can meet him."

Hope almost choked on her coffee. "Wait, who is we and how do you know all of these things are true?"

"Your father, myself, and Grandma Gertie. I have a very reliable source."

Hope knew exactly who her reliable source was. He loved corgis and light up shoes. Jacob, that fucking traitor! Hope knew she wasn't getting out of this. "What will I be serving you for dinner and at what time shall I have your feast ready?"

"Hmmmm." Her mom thought for a moment. "We would like spaghetti. Yes, you do a good spaghetti. And we would like it at five o'clock on the dot. You know how Grandma Gertie's colon gets when she eats too late."

"Oh I am very aware. But let's try not to bring up Grandma Gertie's colon tonight, okay?"

"Well why not? I hear your fella is a doctor."

Hope pressed her forehead against the refrigerator door. "You heard that, did you? From the town crier, I presume?"

Her mom cackled. "You could call him that. Speaking of, Jacob will be joining us. I miss his cute little face!"

"It's not going to be so cute when I murder him," Hope whispered.

"What was that?"

"I asked if you'd like garlic bread with dinner."

She could hear her mom clapping her hands. "I love garlic bread!"

"Don't we all. I'll see you tonight at 5pm." She was about to hang up when she heard her mom yell her name.