Page 33 of Just Like in the Movies
“Mom, I’m fine.” I fended her off. “I had fried chicken for lunch today, is all. Tons of calories I can’t afford right now.”
Dad gave me a hard look. “Was that apology chicken?”
I nodded. “But he accepted it. And I was on my best behavior.”
He shook his head. “It needs to be your normal behavior. He’s a good boy and he’ll make someone a fine husband someday. And with anyone else he’s as smart as a whip and absolutely capable of looking after himself, so don’t you go taking advantage of that.”
“I swear,” I said, and crossed my heart. “Lew is in charge this time.” I thought about stopping there, but there was too much emotion built up. “It’s so hard! I never thought a relationship would be this hard.”
Dad put his plate down and came over to pull me into a hug. “Is he worth it?”
“Every bit of it,” I said into his shoulder. “But I’ve never been so scared.”
He rubbed my back and then stepped away. “That’s how you know it’s important.”
I nodded and wiped suddenly damp eyes. “Yeah.”
He squeezed my shoulder. “Come have dinner with your Mom and me.”
I glanced at the jambalaya cooking in the frying pan and thought about the salad fixings waiting for me in the fridge.Screw it. I’ll work it off.“Sure. Why not?”
