Page 61 of A Slice of Love

“Yes.” She giggles. “I mean, I’m not allowed to say no, right?”

“Right.”

“Then eight it is.”

“Damn, that was easy.”

“Like Sunday morning.”

“Hey, Frank?”

“Yeah, Jonas?”

“You’re giving me twenty dollars. You’re not allowed to say no.”

“No.”

“But I just said you can’t say no.”

“It doesn’t work like that.”

“But it just did.”

“The fair thing worked because I’d actually love to go to the fair with you, but I don’t want to give you twenty dollars.”

“Oh, how convenient.”

“Yeah—for me. See you at eight, Jonas.”

Slice Ten

Frankie

“I’m fine, Mom, I promise. Quit fretting over me.”

My mother titters on the other end of the phone. “I’m not fretting. I’m simply concerned.”

“Because I have plans tonight?”

“Well…yes.”At least she doesn’t lie about it.“You never have plans.”

“I do now.”

She sighs, and I know exactly what’s going to leave her mouth next. “Your father and I sure will miss you at dinner, Frankie.”

Yep. Knew that was coming.

I’m never included in deciding when these weekly dinners will happen. I’m just supposed to keep my schedule clear and be ready when they call.

I knew dinner with them was a possibility for tonight when Jonas asked me to go to the fair with him, but I said yes anyway.

Truth is, I need a break from my parents. It’s not that I don’t love them, because despite everything we’ve gone through over the last several years and the distance that’s formed between us, I still love them fiercely. It’s just that they can be…overbearing. Pushy. And I have a tough time saying no to them, which never seems to end well for me.

“I’ll make it up to you later this week.”

“Make sure you do. I have to run now, gotta break the news to your father.”

More guilt.

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