Page 50 of The Kitchen Contract

A disbelieving huff of laughter escapes me. “You aren’t disappointed that I got kicked out of school and wasted the money you gave me? Or that I’m springing this on you years after it happened?”

“Sweetie…we knew,” Mom says gently.

I rear back in surprise and cut my eyes to Alex, who shrugs and presses his lips together like he’s trying to hold back a smile.

“You…how did you find out?”

“Well, hon, you were actin’ a little squirrely about graduation,” Dad explains. “So we did a search on the computer and found the graduating class list. You weren’t on it.”

I’m stunned. First of all, it seems I have underestimated my parents’ technological and investigative skills. Second, I don’t understand why they kept this to themselves. “Why didn’t you call me out on it?”

“We figured you had a good reason for not wanting to tell us, and we were trying to respect your privacy,” Mom explains calmly. “I do wish you would have told us, but we love you the same either way.”

“I’m sorry. I wanted you to be proud of me, and when I got kicked out, I just couldn’t face telling you.” My voice wobbles a bit and I suck in a breath, trying to keep myself together.

“Eleanora Rose Beckham, we’ve never stopped being proud of you. I’m just sorry you didn’t know that.” Dad’s voice holds a note of regret and a whole lot of love.

It’s no use. I can’t hold back the flood of tears that gushes like a geyser now. Alex jumps up and returns quickly with a box of tissues.

I accept it with a thank you and blow my nose.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?” Mom sounds like she might be a little damp too.

“I’m good, Mom. Better than I’ve been in a long time.”

Alex sneezes beside me, and I reflexively say, “Bless you.”

“Is someone there with you?” Mom asks, and I cringe. I probably should have told them that we were on speakerphone before now, but I was so focused on my—apparently unnecessary—confession that I didn’t think about it.

“Yeah, I’m with my boyfriend, Alex.” I’m proud that I only stumble slightly over the word “boyfriend”. It’s the first time I’ve used it, and I share a smile with Alex.

“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Beckham,” Alex says, waving at the phone like a goober. But a very cute goober who has been so supportive this evening.

“Oh, we didn’t know you were seeing anyone,” Mom says. “Wait a minute, is this the Alex from your videos?”

“That’s him. It’s very new,” I tell her. “We haven’t been a couple long.”

“I see. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Alex.”

“You as well. Your daughter is amazing, so it’s great to speak to the people who raised her. I feel like I should thank you.” He winks at me.

“Stop sucking up,” I whisper to him with a giggle.

“She’s a special girl.” Dad’s voice holds a note of warning. “Don’t forget that.”

“I don’t think I ever could, sir.” Alex’s eyes are on me, and his gaze is intense. “I’m constantly aware of it.”

“Good.” Dad sounds satisfied. “Maybe we should plan a trip to visit soon, get to know you in person and spend some time with our Nora.”

“That would be great,” I agree, and I really mean it. I haven’t seen them in over a year, and now that the air between us is clear, I find myself eager to spend some time with them and catch up on all that we’ve missed these last months.

“Now, tell me about your cooking show,” Mom says. “Your cousin sent me the link, and I watched several the other day. It looks like you’re having a lot of fun with this project.”

“We really are.” I tell her a little about how we got started and how I’m hoping that it will become a steady side income soon. “It’s going better than I hoped.”

“Well, I could have told you it would be a success.” Mom’s statement is filled with that’s-my-girl energy that I appreciate. “You have always been a hard worker with lots of ideas. It was just a matter of time before you found your path. Do you think you’ll be able to grow it big enough to quit your job at the restaurant and do it full-time one day?”

Her question shines a spotlight on a dream that I’ve barely allowed myself to even acknowledge. Creating food-related content full-time would be amazing, but it still feels out of reach, even with our success so far.

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