Page 103 of Everlasting Promises

I wouldn’t say that. Pretty sure I turned out the way I diddespitetheir parental influence. I want to warn her, even suggest she escape while she can, but I’ve always believed people should make their own judgment about others. As much as it pains me to expose two of the most important people in my world to my parents, I should let them draw their own conclusions without input from me.

Maybe my parents have changed in the six months since I saw them last. It’s something I’ve hoped for since I was old enough to realize I’m the son of narcissists.

As I watch my parents climb from their vehicle and Hope’s smile light up her face, I vow to run interference wherever I can.

Mom’s eyes dart between me, Evan, and Hope. Then she forces her lips to tip up, like she’s happy to see everyone. Stepping forward, she holds out her arms like a loving mother. “Benjamin.”

She and Dad are the only people who call me by my full name, and it makes me cringe.

I lean in for a hug, like the dutiful son I am so as not to shame Mom. As Dad makes his way around their SUV, Mom air kisses both of my cheeks, then pulls away to straighten her sweater, dusting imaginary dirt from the fabric as if touching me has soiled her somehow.

Out of my periphery, I notice Hope watching us with interest. She told me that, because she works with people all the time, she can read them pretty well.

Dad thrusts his hand out at me. “Benjamin.” I slide mine into his, and he gives my arm a quick jerk before letting go. Then, he glances at his hand and wipes it down the length of his trousers. His eyes skate over Hope and Evan, and I see the moment he decides they aren’t worth his attention and dismisses them.

He draws his mouth into a tight grimace when he looks down at Rex, sitting beside me. “I see you still havethe dog.” He saysthe dogas though he’s tasted something foul. It doesn’t matter that Rex is a decorated officer of the law. In his eyes, Rex isn’t worth his time.

I don’t bother responding. “I didn’t know you were back from your vacation, or that you’d be stopping by.” I wonder how long they would have waited in my driveway for me to come home instead of calling ahead, like normal people do.

Mom’s eyes float over to Hope and Evan, and a plastic smile pushes up her cheeks. “We got back last week and have been recovering from the arduous journey atThe Four Seasons. We popped in as soon as we could. We haven’t seen you for months, and we missed our only son,” she says to me, her voice dripping like syrup. She directs her attention to Hope. “And who do we have here?”

They’ve been here a week and couldn’t pick up the phone. I would say I’m disappointed and hurt, but I’m not. Everything is always about them.Every single time. I turn my head to Hope, trying to make my apology clear. “This is Hope and her son, Evan. This is Elaine and Robert. They’ve recently returned from six months in Europe.”

It’s not like I can introduce her as my girlfriend when Evan is standing right there. He doesn’t know we’re dating yet. Now I wish we’d already spoken to him about it, but I’m nothing if not determined to take things at Hope’s pace.

Hope’s attention snaps toward my mother. “Oh, my. What a wonderful experience! Gosh, it must have been incredible.” Her eyes literally sparkle with delight on their behalf.

Mom shrugs as if she isn’t fortunate to indulge in such experiences. “It was okay, I guess. Sometimes it was a struggle to find someone who spoke English. You’d think they’d learn the language rather than be so ignorant.” Dad grunts his agreement, and Mom leans in like she’s about to share some big secret. She screws up her nose. “And some places were downright filthy.” She pinches her nose and shudders. “Very third-world,” she says as she rolls her eyes. “Not at all what we expected.”

Europe …third world? Unbelievable.

I can never understand why they travel so much. They’ve never returned from a vacation and been one hundred percent happy with the experience. They always find something tocomplain about. Whether it be the food, the water, climate, or the language and culture.

Hope’s eyebrows rise slightly, and I watch her swallow. It’s obvious she didn’t expect Mom’s response and is at a loss for how to carry on the conversation, which has already taken a negative turn—as I expected it would. That’s gotta be some kind of record, even for Mom.

“Are you in the city for much longer before you head home?” I ask, trying to provide somewhat of a buffer.

Evan tosses the ball to Rex and he leaps across the yard.

“We’re driving home in the morning. We thought we should share a nice meal with our only son on our last night in town, but I see you’re busy.” She raises her eyebrows at me as if to chastise me for having plans and a life of my own. I wonder if Hope noticed Mom say theyshouldshare a meal with me. Because that’s what normal, loving parents who hadn’t seen theironlyson for six monthswoulddo.

Hope places her hand on my forearm, and Mom zones in on the action like a heat-seeking missile. “That’s okay. Evan and I were just leaving.”They weren’t. She looks at me. “You should enjoy dinner with your family. It’s been such a long time since you’ve seen them.”

I know she thinks she’s helping, but I’d rather have a tooth extraction than spend the evening with my parents. I tug her away so we can have a conversation without three pairs of ears listening. “Wehad plans. Plans that are important to me. And I was kinda hoping Evan would fall asleep, so we could … catch up and you’d have an excuse to stay over.” I wiggle my eyebrows up and down.

She chuckles and glances over at my parents and Evan, who they’ve completely ignored. Luckily, he’s too focused on playing ball with Rex to notice their lack of interest. Her fingers squeeze mine and empathy overtakes her features. “We can catch uptomorrow. You haven’t seen them for months, and they want to have dinner with you before they go home.”

Obviously, she didn’t pick up on the wording Mom used, and it’s not my place to point it out. If she hasn’t picked up any clues as to the type of people they are, then I won’t bring it to her attention. I’d rather she not know than feel sorry for me.

I know I’m clutching at straws, but I don’t want to miss out on spending this evening with her and Evan. Our time together already feels too limited. “How about you guys come too?”

Her eyes widen, and a hint of worry slides over her face. She shakes her head adamantly. “Oh, no. No way.” She leans in close and drops her voice low. “I got the distinct impression that your dad doesn’t like us, and, well … I don’t think we’re the kind of people your mom would want to share dinner with. It sounds like they want to go somewhere fancy.” Her nose crinkles a little as she speaks. So shedidpick up on the unwelcoming vibes.

I reach out and take her hand, squeezing it. “Please come.” I’ll beg if I have to. “I’d really like to have you guys there with me.” She shifts on her feet and chews on the corner of her plump bottom lip. “For support.” I bend my knees to get down to her level and give her my best puppy dog eyes, hoping she can’t resist.

She glances around and blows out a long breath. “Okay.”

I could kiss her right now, but I won’t. I need to honor our plan to keep things platonic in front of Evan. Until we’re sure. Though, I don’t know what we’re waiting for, because I’m already certain I want them both … forever.

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