Forty-Four

“I can’t imagine eating life out of plants either.”

He laughed, “Touché.”

“So,” I started but lost nerve, shifting my weight from foot to foot, fidgeting with my fingers, staring at the floor.

“What?” he barely looked up from the green salad he was now busy with.

“Does your family know I’m coming?”

He laughed. “They’ve been expecting you for a while now.”

I grimaced.

“You have nothing to worry about.”

I groaned.

“Genuine.” he smiled. “They aren’t hungry.” He assured me. “They’ll be well behaved.”

“That’s the least of my worries.”

“What is then?” he was finally looking at me, waiting for me to speak.

“What if they don’t like me? Do they even know what we are? Maybe they won’t… approve of me… dating you. I mean I’m an abysmal creature and they are these…superior perfect beings.”

“My family is – how best do I sum it up? – supportive and unbiased.” He grimaced. “And besides Zane likes you and she’s bound to influence everyone with her mood. She can’t control her waves when she’s overly energized.”

I nodded sceptically and then we saw the flash of headlights light up the window as Jennie pulled up on the driveway.

He kissed my cheek. “See you soon.”

My heart was crushing against the walls of my chest. “Thanks a lot.” I grumbled. “It’ll take forever to calm it down.”

He winked.

I groaned as he chuckled and disappeared.

"What a hectic day at the restaurant today." Jennie called as she walked into the kitchen. I smiled nervously at her.

"Hey mom, would you like some coffee? it’s awfully cold outside" I said.

She smiled up at me, her eyes apprehensive. "Yes, sure baby."

"Black, no sugar?" I asked nervously.

"Yes, just the way I like it – Beth, you look awfully pale.” Her voice was worried.

"Do I?” I worked to sound normal. My palms were sweating.

“Honey it smells divine and that looks delicious.” she mumbled. “Your skills in the kitchen are improving. Did you take up some cooking lessons behind my back?” she joked.

I tried to laugh.

“Leave the coffee; it’ll spoil my taste buds.” She said cheerfully. “What are we having anyway?”

“Pickled fish with crusty bread and green salad,” I mumbled, doing my Victory dance in my head when I got the name of the dish right.

“What’s the occasion?” And then she was frantic. “It’s not your birthday is it?”

“No mom.” I frowned. “My birthday is on the twenty-first of March.”

“Oh no.” she cried. “It passed five months ago – why didn’t you remind me?”

“I don’t like celebrating it.” I mumbled. I was starling, still searching for easier ways to raise the topic.

“Oh.” She sighed. “Dish up won’t you, I’m famished.”

“Are cross-buns and butter pudding okay for dessert?”

“Yes,” She mumbled enthusiastically. “You went all out today.”

I absentmindedly played with my food as Jennie moaned. “Hmm, Beth, this is mouth-watering.” She spoke with her mouth full. “Where did you get the recipe?” she asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Well, there… um, was something I wanted to talk to you about.” I said nervously, my hands were trembling.

“Okay,” still cheerful.

“There’s someone I invited to dinner tonight.” I gulped.

“Oh.” But she continued eating. “Are they running late?”

“They should be here any minute now.”

“We should’ve waited for them.”

I gulped. “Bradley and I have been dating for a while now.”

“Bradley?” her face scrunched up in concentration, “Now where have I heard that name before – oh the junior from your school?” still calm.

“Yes.”

Her spoonful of salad paused in the air. “Don’t you think Carter is a little too young for you?”

“He’s my age, mom.”

“oh.” she was still locked in her frozen surprise.

“And he’s taking me to meet his mother tonight.”

“The mighty professor’s wife?" she asked in bewilderment.

“Yes.”

She wide-opened her eyes and gulped loudly.

“Mom?”

“Why can’t you go for the older Carter kid?”

“Victor?” I asked. “He’s much older. And married.”

“What does my boss say about you dating his son?”

“He’s cool with it.” I lied. I didn’t know the answer to that one myself.

“So Brendon…”

“Bradley, mom, his name’s Bradley. That’s my boyfriend.”

“The kid is your boyfriend?”

“Yes mother.”

“That kid looks scary.” She mumbled her frozen features coming to life.

I sighed in relief. That’s because he’s a demon. “He’s just shy.”

“He mustn’t try anything funny.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Are you being safe?”

“Mom!” I accidentally spilled the juice I had in my hand all over the floor. My eyes were wide and the food in my mouth was suddenly bitter. I was outraged. “We just started dating.”

She ignored me saying, “Don't even think about sleeping over at his house tonight." She actually looked threatening, as though if I disobeyed her orders she would murder me.

“This is so embarrassing.”

“Do you have protection?”

“Mom, parents should so not talk with their kids about…” I couldn’t say the word.

“Well?” she persisted.

“Gosh.” I mumbled, my cheeks heating. “I’m a virgin. He’s my first boyfriend – and besides Bradley is very… old fashioned.”

“Oh.” She mumbled. “You should wait for marriage.”

Every parents dream.　　

“Don’t embarrass me.” I begged. “And no more talk about Bradley and don’t scare him off.”

“You like this Carter kid.”

“Bradley mom, and yes I like him.”

She laughed. “I was just messing with you honey. I get it, you want to impress him.”

I shook my head disapprovingly. “Don’t mess with him.”

She shrugged.

We saw the flash of headlights flicker against the window. I sighed nervously. It was exactly two seconds from the minute the roar of the engine died to the sound of the doorbell ringing. So human, I thought sarcastically.

Jennie dropped her spoon and half ran to the front door. I was a step behind her.

Bradley stood in the dark porch, clad in dark faded jeans, grey boots and a black biker jacket.

“You match.” My mother said eying my burgundy dress with ankle boots and a bottle green biker jacket.

“O-Kay.” I mumbled. That was awkward.

“Hello Bradley.” Jennie said. “Come in son.”

“Thanks, Mrs. White.” Bradley said in an awfully respectful voice. “These are for you.”

“Oh wow, lilies, my favourite.” She blushed. “Why thank you. I can’t remember the last time someone brought me flowers.”

I grimaced.

“It was very rude of my daughter to tell me only after we’d started with dinner that we had a guest.” She apologised. “Have a seat.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“We’re not a formal family, call me Jennie .”

Bradley grinned knowingly at me. The sneaky demon. He’d been listening to my mother and me. I scowled at him, his smile brightened.

I noticed that my boyfriend was dry as though he hadn’t been outside in the pouring rain. Whatever happened to acting human? I hoped Mrs. White wouldn’t notice.

I got an extra plate for Bradley as he sat across Jennie , dazzling her with one of his breath-taking smiles.

“So how long have you been dating my daughter?” Jennie asked.

I hadn’t expected that question and apparently neither had Bradley.

I groaned.

“For a couple of months,” He answered smoothly, casually. “But I’ve had feelings for her since the very first day I met her.”

I dished up for Bradley, wadding the plate full, knowing that he won’t eat the food.

He glared at me.

I winked at him as I sat next to him. He took my hand under the table.

My heat reacted automatically.

“This is really delicious.” He said. But I could see his disgust behind his perfectly controlled smile. He threw me a glare in his peripheral view. I smiled sweetly at him.

“Elizabeth is an impressive cook.” Jennie said. “Son, tell me, what are your intentions with my daughter?”

I groaned. “Mother!”

She raised her hands in surrender.

I sighed.

“Have you ever…”

I choked on my food, interrupting Jennie ’s exaggeratedly awkward question.

“Beth, are you all right.” Instantly Bradley was handing me a glass of water. “Here, drink this.” He drew circles on my back.

I gunned down the glass of water, my hand trembling. I felt so embarrassed.

“No ma’am.” Bradley answered despite himself. “Beth is my…” he paused thoroughly. “First girlfriend.”

“Oh.” She was taken aback. She was puzzled like me when I first found out. Bradley was devastatingly beautiful he could have any woman he desired, why would he wait, why me?

“Didn’t you find girls attractive?” she asked accusingly.

I thought I’d die of humiliation. Jennie was on a roll.

But Bradley answered without hesitation. “No, no one before… Beth.”

“Would you like some desert?” Jennie asked.

“Yes please.” Bradley smiled brightly at her, obviously more than glad to get rid of the plate in front of him.

“She’s beautiful isn’t she?” Jennie said. “…takes after her dad.”

Uh-oh.

“That she is.” Agreed my life-mate, “But that’s not her best quality.”

“Oh?” enquired my mother wide eyed. She was smiling, gunning down mouthfuls of wine seconds apart. She was enjoying Bradley’s company.

“She’s intelligent and has a lovely soul.”

“Mm,” She mumbled thoughtfully. “Did…”

“O-Kay,” I jumped up before Jennie could ask any more embarrassing questions. “Let’s go.”