Page 49 of Watercolor Skulls

She pulls herself away from her husband to move closer to me. Her eyes are the same color as Dan’s and they bounce over my face, pausing on my hair. She reaches out and runs a stray piece through her fingers. “Your hair is beautiful,” she says, not taking her eyes away from it.

“I think yours is beautiful too.”

Her eyes dart to mine and she drops my hair to pat at her own. “I’ve thought about dying it, but he likes it this way.” She glances over her shoulder shyly to look at her husband.

“I think he’s right. It’s beautiful just the way it is.”

She suddenly notices Dan. “Who is your friend?” she asks me.

My heart breaks into a million shards when I realize she doesn’t know her own son. I quickly recover, reaching back to grab Dan’s hand and pull him forward.

“This is my boyfriend, Dan. Isn’t he handsome?”

She studies him for a moment. “He is very handsome.” She raises her eyebrows to me, smiling. “Nice to meet you, Dan.” She holds her small hand out to him.

He takes it in his. “Lily is right supper smells wonderful.”

“I hope you like steak and potatoes.” She pats his arm.

“Yes, ma’am, I sure do.”

The meal is wonderful, and the conversation light. Dan’s mom strays away from the conversation often, staring blankly at the wall opposite her. Then it’s like someone flips a switch and she will comment on whatever we are talking about.

“Dan and I spent a wonderful day at the Harvest Festival,” I tell her.

She blinks a few times. “The Harvest Festival?” she asks.

“Yes, it was gorgeous with all of the sunflower fields. My favorite thing was the baby goats.” I feel Dan’s eyes on me, making me nervous. I hope I don’t upset her in some way.

“Did you go for a hayrack ride?” she asks.

I notice Dan set his fork on his plate, sitting up taller in his chair.

“We did. Dan told me it was a family tradition to finish the day with a hayrack ride out to the pumpkin patch.”

Her eyes slide to Dan and it’s as if she just noticed him there. “Dan, when did you get home?” she asks, standing up and rushing to his side. Tears form in the corners of his eyes as he stands slowly.

He wraps her up in his arms. “Hi, mom, Lily and I just got here,” he says softly.

My eyes meet Ray’s across the table. He is watching his wife and son embrace. He turns to me, nodding his head in thanks. It wasn’t me. I didn’t do anything.

Dan’s mom turns back to me. “Oh, honey, I don’t think anyone properly introduced us. I’m Angela, it’s so nice to meet you.” She removes herself from Dan to shake my hand. “You’re such a pretty little thing. Dan’s never brought a girl home before. You must be special.”

She reaches up and pinches his cheek. He blushes. Full out.

Angela pushes him back down in his seat. “I think I have chocolate cake for dessert. Eat, eat.” She motions for him to keep eating. Rushing around the kitchen she comes back with the cake, setting it down beside him. “It’s your favorite,” she coos, patting him on the head.

She sits back down and picks up her fork to finish her meal. Her eyes keep going back to him though, like she can’t get enough of him.

The look of happiness on Dan’s face brings me so much satisfaction. I want to make him happy like this every day.

Angela asks him a million questions. She even asks about Dirk and Rachel. Dan answers her excitedly like he’s a kid home from college. Not that I know what that would be like, but that’s how families act on tv. I guess he’s had two years of stuff he’s been dying to share with her.

My hand rubs over my chest, drawing her attention back to me. “Do you like the cake, sweetie?”

“Oh, it’s wonderful. Would you mind sharing the recipe with me? I know I’ll never be able to make it as good as yours, but I would love to try.”

She hops up and grabs a pen and paper. Quickly her hand glides over the paper as she tells me exactly how to do it. “The trick is to pull it out a few minutes before you think it’s done.”

---