Page 48 of More Than a Good Friend

My mom slidesa plate in front of me. “Eat up. What do you want to drink?”

“I’ll get it, Mom. Get yourself food.”

Mom shakes her head. “Not now. Your brother is coming, and I want to make sure he gets plenty. I’ll eat later.” Every time she cooks, she makes enough for an army. On a good day, my brother couldn’t eat everything left in the pan. She pushes me back to the chair. “Tell me what you want.”

“Just a water.”

After grabbing it out of the fridge, she wipes off the outside of the bottle, then twists off the cap. “Do you want a glass?”

“No, Mom. Just sit.”

“I’m glad you stopped by. Your father is out. I don’t remember where he said he was going.” She eases into a chair and sighs. “One day, you will find someone who will marry you and cook for you.”

“I have two ladies in my life who cook for me.” I’m not talking about marriage with my mom. “Ava and Goldie are both great cooks.”

If I let her talk about marriage, she’ll steer the conversation to grandkids in under five minutes. I’ve seen how this plays out when she talks to my brother.

“Such a good-looking boy. It’s a wonder you aren’t already married.”

The clock is ticking.

“This beef is amazing. So good.” I shovel another bite into my mouth.

She rubs my arm. “Nico is getting married. I bet soon, there will be a little Nico.”

“Maybe.”

“When are you going to give me grandchildren?” She claps her hands together like she’s just had a revelation. “Your friend. Where is your friend Goldie tonight? Why didn’t you bring her with you?”

I don’t bring Goldie around my family very often. My mom knows we’re friends, but Goldie, marriage, and kids have never been part of the same conversation. Of course Mom would tangle all those threads tonight while Goldie is out on a date.

“She’s on a date.”

“Oh. That’s too bad. She’s such a pretty girl. You’d make beautiful babies.”

I nearly choke on my food.

That is not something I want to discuss with my mom. Ever. So I do my best to steer the conversation in a different direction. “Are you happy?”

Jerking back, she knits her brow. “What kind of question is that? Of course I’m happy. I have two handsome boys. And maybe soon one of them will make me a grandma.”

She’s going to keep hammering that point.

“I mean with Dad. Are y’all happy?”

“We’re married.” She laughs. “Such funny questions tonight. Did Goldie break up with you?”

“We’re just friends, Mom.”

“What a shame.” She springs out of her chair. “Your cousin is in town. I told her I’d give you her number.”

Thehernarrows it way down. I have only one girl cousin. “How long is Gabby in town?”

“She moved here. To San Antonio. Finished school. Got a job. I told her you would find her friends.”

“Mom, she’s more than a decade younger than I am.”

“Be good to your cousin. She’s a nice girl.”

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