Page 251 of We Shouldn't Be Together
The only hiccup from her point of view was the location. Morton’s Café. She hasn’t been before, and it’s pretty clear Jamie has wanted it to stay that way. It’s moot, anyway. Tabby has to go to the café on Monday afternoon for this society meeting. All thanks to the new it girl of Victoria Falls falling in love with the milkshakes. Again, thanks Jamie for not inviting me.
***
So, here we are. Sunday morning, taking two cars to the cafe. Dad drove the grandparents and Jamie, so she wasn’t late for work. Mom lets me drive to Tabitha’s, and is riding shotgun, and Milo’s sitting in the back of my car. So much for picking up Tabitha on my own. I guess, for a moment, I’d forgotten how stubborn and headstrong my mother is.
When I park outside Tabitha’s house, Mom unbuckles. “Okay, let’s go in.”
“I’ll just text her to come outside,” I reply.
Mom gasps. “For shame. Be a good boyfriend and walk to the door. Besides, I want to chat to her parents.”
My eyes roll. “Because that’s gone so well in the past.”
“Oh, hush.” Mom turns around to Milo. “You too, honey.”
“Why?” Milo complains.
My sentiments exactly.
Mom lets out an ear-piercing whistle. “Both of you. Out. Now.”
We move down the path to the front door, and as if we planned it, Tabitha’s door opens.
Mrs. Jones waves from the open doorway. “Hi! Hello everyone. So nice to see you.”
Mom moves in, clasps Mrs. Jones’s hand, and they kiss each other on the cheek. “Hi, I’m Grace Nelson.”
Mrs. Jones places a hand on her chest. “I’m Juliette. I think I remember you from a bake sale.”
Mom nods. “Yes, that seems right. Well, these are my boys. You know Kai, and this is Milo.”
“Hi boys.” Mrs. Jones wave. “Oh, Kai. Sorry we couldn’t make your game yesterday. Corby was so sick, the poor thing.”
I wave it off. “No big deal. It’s cool.”
“I hope he’s okay,” Mom says with concern.
Mrs. Jones grins. “He’s fine. He brought it on himself by sneaking two bags of candy into his room the night before.”
Mom laughs. “Oh dear. That takes me back.”
“Mom,“ Milo and I both grizzle.
“Oh, hello, Mrs. Nelson,” Dr. Jones says, moving toward the doorway. “Nice to see you again.”
“You too,” Mom replies and then awkwardly clears her throat. “Better circumstances this time around.”
Dr. Jones gains my eye contact, and a has a wry smirk. “It’s all fine. Kai seems to be smartening up.”
From the corner of my eye, I catch Milo’s lip upturn and his brow scrunch in confusion.
Mom’s just as startled. “Oh, you think so?”
Dr. Jones puts an arm around his wife. “He’s impressed us. My boys, especially, like him.”
Mom looks at me, half-baffled, half-amused. “Well, that’s good to hear.”
“Hi, I’m here,” Tabby calls, dashing toward the door with the click of heels. “Sorry, Corbin was being a little brat.”
