Page 92 of Hot Four Teacher
Thank God.
***
Dinner is relatively uneventful…for me anyway. Mom grilled Jo like nobody’s business. That’s what happens when you don’t come home very often. Our mother will take her pound of flesh one way or another.
Meanwhile, our dad just beams at the other end of the table. Our father, Andre, comes from a huge Greek family. Every woman in town has probably had a crush on him at one point or another. They all think he’s extremely good-looking and quite the catch. But he’s only ever had eyes for our mother. Moments like these with his wife, kids, and grandkids are what he lives for.
Toward the end of the dinner, Ronnie clinks her spoon on her glass, and I pray to God she isn’t going to say something about me.
But I’m relieved when she just informs us that she’s making another pitcher of margaritas.
“Who wants one?” She asks.
Jo holds up her glass. “Here, here!”
Ronnie points at me. “Don’t even tell me no. I know you’re not working tomorrow.” She then turns to Leah, our brother's girlfriend, “What about you?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.”
“Wait a second,” Ronnie says. “I saw Dylan drinking the one I made you earlier. Oh my gosh. Don’t tell me you’re pregnant.”
Leah’s cheeks turn bright pink, and Ronnie says, “Well, damn.”
Dylan sighs. “We were waiting to share the news until things were a little further along.”
Everyone starts cheering and congratulating them before Dylan adds, “While we are on the subject of spilling secrets, we decided that we didn't want two kids out of wedlock, so I’ve asked Leah to marry me.”
Leah smiles. “I figured it was time I officially became a Lawson.”
Everyone starts cheering again, and mom stands up to wrap Leah in a hug. “Sweetheart, whether it’s official or not, you’ve been a Lawson ever since you walked through the door.”
She has a point. Leah has always justfitwith us.
Mom looks around and adds, “You all need to follow suit.”
After everyone has said their congratulations, I help clear the table and then walk out onto the back deck for some air. I love my family, but there are a ton of us now, and sometimes, I just need a break.
I’m sitting at the outdoor table, hoping it doesn’t start to rain. Not long after, my dad comes to join me.
“Hey, kiddo,” he greets.
“Hi, Dad.”
He takes a seat at the table across from me. “You doing okay?”
“Yeah. Just a little tired I think.”
“You sure that’s all it is?” The look he gives me tells me he already knows what it is. When I don’trespond, he adds, “Come on, kid. You know no one around here can keep a secret.”
“Well, it’s annoying.”
“I know, but I think I might have some advice to help you.”
“You also dated one of our teachers when we were growing up?” I joke.
He laughs. “Not exactly. But dating your mom was against the rules.”
“What?” I don’t think I’ve heard this story before.
