Page 16 of Always Yours

Not long after we start driving, her mom shoots me a look before saying, “So, Will, you’re the one who saved my daughter from a deadly skunk?”

Ellen immediately blushes even as a laugh escapes me. “Yeah,” I reply. “Something like that.”

Cathy smiles in the rearview mirror, a knowing look on her face as she continues. “And it’s safe to assume the whole incident was alcohol related?” she asks.

“Well,” I say, stalling a little as I glance at Ellen. “I’m not sure I’d say that.”

“Ugh,” Ellen groans, shaking her head. “Of course it was,” she admits. “The hangover part anyway,” she adds.

Ellen’s mom laughs, seemingly cool with the fact that her daughter has just admitted to underage drinking. “Well, we won’t be telling the insurance company that part,” she says.

The rest of the drive is filled with talk about college and how our courses are going. Her mom asks a few questions about my family and where I’m from and everything about it feels relaxed and friendly, and nothing like the interrogation I was half expecting.

By the time we pull into a winery, driving past a sign indicatingSomerville’s, I’m feeling completely relaxed about the idea of meeting my girlfriend’s family.

We eventually pull into a drive that takes us to the back of the property, stopping in front of a pair of cottages. On the steps of the larger one, a young girl sits, waiting for us.

Cathy chuckles. “Just to warn you,” she says, motioning to the girl, “she’s been in a terrible mood ever since Jack left.”

Ellen smiles. “Misses him, huh?”

“Oh yeah,” Cathy replies. “Won’t admit it of course, but she definitely misses him.”

Ellen laughs as she hops out of the car, the grin on her face only getting bigger as she walks toward her younger sister.

“Hey Lauren,” she says, tugging on her sister’s hair as she sits down beside her. Their mom just laughs, as she walks past them and disappears inside the house.

“Hey,” Lauren answers.

“What’s up?” Ellen asks.

“Nothing,” Lauren replies, shaking her head.

“You sure about that? You seem a little sad?”

“No,” Lauren replies, a stubborn tone in her response.

“You sure?” Ellen repeats. “Maybe you actually miss him?”

“I don’t!” she shouts, standing, hands on her hips.

Ellen laughs again, reaching for her sister as she pulls her back onto the step. “It’s alright if you do, you know? I get it,” she adds, gesturing toward me.

Lauren glances up now, seemingly noticing me for the first time.

“Hey,” I say, offering her a smile.

“Hi,” she replies.

“I’m Will.” I step over to her, hand out.

Lauren stares at my hand before looking back up at me. “Lauren,” she finally says, shaking my hand.

“You want to give me a tour of the place?” I ask.

Lauren glances at her sister now, who shrugs at her before she turns back to me. “Okay,” she replies.

I nod, glancing at Ellen who gives me a strange look. I wink before pulling them both up.

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