Page 52 of Stained Hearts
It was then I noticed how pale he was.
“Are you okay?”
“Am I okay? I’m about to meet the parents of a guy I like, and he’s asking if I’m okay. Hell no, I’m not okay.” He fluttered his eyes. “What if they hate me? What if I say something stupid?” He opened his eyes wide. “Oh my God, we had burritos last night. What if I fart?”
Olivia looked at me, and we both burst out laughing.
“It’s not funny!”
I took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “It kinda is. My dad is famous for his farts, so maybe the two of you can find some common ground.” I nudged him gently. “Just do it outside.”
“We should do this a different day.” He turned toward the car. “Maybe next month would be better.”
Olivia shook her head. “He’s such a drama queen.”
“No, I think he’s really freaked-out.” I caught up with him when he was a few yards away. “Aiden, stop.”
He did but stood there, his eyes closed and his chest heaving. “I don’t want them to hate me.”
“Oh, they won’t. I swear to you. My mom loves everyone, and Dad is a nurturer. He’s more likely to bundle you up and take you out onto the swing if he thinks you need a break from the noise.”
Olivia came up beside us and put a hand on Aiden’s arm. “Aiden, Tom and I were teasing. I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were so worried. I’ll be right with you the whole time.”
“Are you ready to do this? For me?”
It was a low blow, but if it got him in the house, then that was okay with me. He didn’t move, though. He stood there, trembling.
“Tom?”
I looked over my shoulder and found Mom standing in the doorway. I shook my head, and she gave me a nod. With the purpose only a mom can have, she strode toward us and made a beeline for Aiden.
“You must be Aiden.” She put a hand on his back. “I’m Rachel. I’m so glad you and your sister have come to visit.”
He tensed. Mom tilted her head toward the house, which was her oh-so-subtle way of telling me to go away. I took Olivia’s hand and led her to the house, which apparently didn’t sit well with her.
“What’s going on?”
“He’ll be in soon. Mom is going to talk with him and let him know he’s welcome.”
I pushed open the door to the house, and there stood my father, beaming a smile at us.
“Oh my God.” Olivia’s head tilted back, back, back. “He’s not going to eat us, is he?”
Dad laughed. “No, we’re going vegetarian tonight.” He held out a hand. “Dwight Kotke.”
She took it, and Dad’s massive mitt engulfed her much smaller hand. “Olivia Dawson.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Galen’s told us so much about you, and it’s an honor to have you here.”
He took her into the living room, and Galen’s excitement was obvious in his voice. I stood watching through the window, worried that even my mom’s persuasive powers might not be enough to get Aiden into the house. I shouldn’t have doubted her. After a minute, maybe two, the door swung open and Aiden stood there, with Mom behind him, looking into the lion’s den.
Dad came up from behind me, and Aiden’s eyes went wide. “Come on in, Aiden. It’s nice to have you here.” He walked over to Aiden and held out his hand. “Dwight Kotke. Listen, Olivia said you and I have something in common, so let me ask you, why do farts smell?”
Aiden’s mouth opened, then closed. Finally he snickered. “For the benefit of people who are hearing-impaired!”
And just like that, he and my dad were the best of friends.
Dad led Aiden into the living room, where the two of them pored over the net for more fart jokes, doing their best to one-up each other. They laughed, they clapped each other on the back, and before long, Aiden was chatting with everyone.
