Where Life Takes Us

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

A V E R Y

"What's this we're hearing about you having a boyfriend?" my father inquired, while reading the newspaper.

After Aidan died, my parents often left Noah and me in our grandparents' care. We became used to seeing them only during meals and around the house with work preoccupying their time.

Something was unusual when I found my parents at the dining table with Noah one morning in early March. Knowing them, they were there to talk; now, I knew why.

"Boyfriend?" I asked, my eyebrows knitting in confusion.

"You know exactly what we're talking about," my mother insisted, her intense stare making my stomach churn. "Do you think hiding feelings you and Walden Bradley have for one another was a good decision?"

My cheeks flushed bright red; there was only one person who knew my parents enough to tell them about Wade and me. Glancing at Noah beside me, I raised my eyebrows.

"Alright, you got me. In my defence, I'd get money I needed for that new video game I've been wanting if I told them," Noah admitted, raising his hands up in surrender. "Besides, it's not that much of a secret."

I tried convincing my parents otherwise. "It's not anything serious, we're not dating."

"Not dating yet," Noah added, cheekily smiling which made me elbow his side.

"Averylyn, you know how we feel about this. Bring him here," my mother requested, sipping her coffee. "We want to know if he's a good influence."

Colour drained from my face, as I nervously sputtered, "But, Wade isn't... he might not be able to. H-He's busy with work and sports practices."

"We either meet him here for dinner or you're forbidden to see him, let alone date him," my father stipulated, as he and my mother rose from their seats. "No excuses."

While my parents headed out on their way to work, I leaned back in my seat. Noah shrugged his shoulders. "It's not that bad, at least they didn't say you couldn't date Wade at all."

As Noah headed into the living room to watch TV before school, I realized he had a point. It wasn't an ideal situation to have Wade meet my parents because of how they were, but things could have been worse.

My stomach still twisted at the thought of my parents interrogating him during dinner. Sighing, I buried my face in my hands and wondered how I would tell Wade.

__________

Taking a closer look at what Wade was doing, I sat beside him at the library table. "Hey, what's that?"

Smiling, I realized he sketched a beautifully drawn pickup truck. My smile grew wider when I noticed he used the sketchbook I gave him for his birthday a few weeks ago.

"It's the kind of truck I want, like the one my dad had. He drove us everywhere in it—like the movies, fairs, games. We sold it after he died... I wanna buy one in the future, so memories like those can keep going without him," Wade reminisced. As I comfortingly placed my hand on his arm, he smiled and closed his notebook. "What's up?"

Having second thoughts, I shook my head. "Oh, it's... it's not important."

"We wouldn't have met up if it wasn't," Wade stated matter-of-factly.

Deeply exhaling, I hesitantly confessed, "My parents want to meet you through dinner at our house."

"Sounds good," Wade nonchalantly agreed, making me raise my eyebrows. "When do they want me to come?"