Page 67 of Take It Till You Make It
“So, wait,” Glory says. “After just one date, you’re going home to meet the parents?”
“I don’t think it’s like that.”
“I don’t know. It sounds like this boy is deep-fried and crispy over you.”
“Well, he is finger-licking good, for sure, but I really don’t think this is a meet-the-parents situation in that regard. I actually think he’s just excited for me to meet his sister.”
“Oh, well, that’s kind of nice. She must not be an extra sibling like mine.”
“No, they actually get along. They’re close.”
“Wow, imagine that.”
I can totally imagine Glory glaring at the extra as she speaks.
“So, what do I wear? To the family thing?”
“What kind of thing is it? Bowling? Brunch at the Ritz? Sky diving?”
“Ew, I wouldn’t want to do any of those.” I snuggle into my pillow and imagine skydiving with Crispin’s mom and dad. Weird.
Glory’s tone is dreamy. “The Ritz would be cool. Mimosas on the patio.”
“Orange juice on the patio, since I’m only seventeen.”
She sighs. “You’re such a killjoy sometimes. Let me imagine this spectacular event, please. You are dripping in diamonds, wearing your Sunday-best tiara. Your gown is Gucci, but it’s one of those thousand-dollar dresses that looks like it came from the secondhand store. Sooo designer it doesn’t have to be attractive. His mother wears pearls and a sweater set, his father is in a three-piece suit with diamond cufflinks?—”
“I don’t think his parents are rich.”
Glory growls. “Why are you taking this so seriously? Live a little.”
“Fine, continue.”
“His sister – what’s her name?”
“I don’t know. Oh! Claire. Claire.”
“Okay, Claire is dressed in goth grunge, torn clothes, a studded collar, and hair dyed shoe polish black. But she has the same bottle green eyes as Crispin, so it’s actually pretty spectacular. She loves her brother, sure, but has always despised the extra attention he got.”
“Crispin’s eyes are brown.” But I nod in understanding. “She’s punishing her parents.”
“Exactly! When you breeze onto the patio, overlooking the Pacific with your flowy, ugly sundress, she wants to hate you, but she sees the way Crispin looks at you and loves you all the same.”
“Aw. That’s very special.” I look up at my ceiling, imagining the ridiculous scene Glory is painting. “Tell me. Do I get along with his parents?”
“Of course you do. His dad, especially, when you give him that hot new tech investment tip.”
I bust out laughing. “Oh my gosh, Glory. This could totally happen.”
“Obviously! Ugh. Listen, I’ve got to go. I’ll text you ideas on what you should wear. What are you actually doing?”
“It’s just a barbecue. Complete with lawn games.”
“Easy peasy. Love you, Ari.”
“Love you, Glo.”
It’s like Crispin felt us talking about him. My phone buzzes with an incoming text.
