fast? She realized she couldn’t carry that conversation on in her head, or
 
 rather, it would be better if she had it out loud instead of trying to sort
 
 things out in private.
 
 “I just…I’m not sure it’s the right time. When do people usually meet
 
 parents?”
 
 “I don’t know if there’s a timeline. Maybe you’re right. It’s too soon. I
 
 don’t know what I was thinking. Actually, I guess I do. I was thinking that
 
 my parents are going to notice you coming to the house sooner or later,
 
 seeing as they live downstairs, and my mom will be all bubbly and excited
 
 and want to come up and say hello. She might ambush you one time when
 
 you’re over. They don’t use their key without my saying they can, and they
 
 wouldn’t walk in without knocking, but if they know I have someone over,
 
 they might keep knocking and not go away.”
 
 June smiled at the image of Arabella’s parents pounding on the door and
 
 peeking in the windows, their curiosity getting the better of them. “Then
 
 maybe I should meet them sooner rather than later.”
 
 “I’m not trying to force the issue, I’m just saying. Things could get
 
 awkward. I want you to be prepared.”
 
 “Are you scared of me meeting them?”
 
 “Scared? Or worried? Or excited and nervous?”
 
 “I guess excited and nervous.”
 
 “I don’t know. A bit, I guess. Who isn’t nervous about things like that?
 
 I’m not nervous about them meeting you. They’ll love you. I’m nervous
 
 about you meeting them and them saying something totally embarrassing.
 
 Mom never would have dared before, but now she seems more relaxed. I
 
 guess after we, um, moved, a lot of the old, forced habits stopped
 
 happening. No more fronts. No more pretending. What was the point? That
 
 was one of the good things, as far as I can see. My mom isn’t exactly happy,
 
 but I think deep down she’s a lot happier now that she doesn’t have to load
 
 on the bullshit so thick and deep every single day.”