The sky was a light blue with little clouds hanging in the air. The wind was picking up and it was getting later in the day.
I knocked on the Jack's door. Gloria's regular straight expression was exchanged with a smile as she embraced me in a hug, "Tara, I thought you weren't coming to visit anymore." I followed her inside, "Jack isn't here right now," she said handing me a hot mug, "Good thing you came now, I just finished making tea."
I took a sip of the minty liquid, it burned my throat, but it felt good, "Thank you. How long will Jack be gone?"
"Who knows sometimes he's here less than his own parents," Gloria scuffed, wiping away a spot on the counter. "Does he know you're coming by?"
"He invited me, but I don't think he really thought I would come."
I was debating about if I should ask about Jack's brother. Because I knew I wouldn't get any answers from Jack.
"Where's Jack's brother?" I asked. Gloria didn't say anything, her eyebrows were scrunched together and she squeezed her eyes shut as if she was trying to hold back the words she wanted to say.
"You can tell me," I pushed.
"You're a good friend to Jack," Gloria smiled, "but I'm in no positon to tell you." I sighed respecting Gloria's decision.
"I've been taking care of Jack and Jason since they were babies," Gloria said, trying to compose herself, "If anyone knows the family secrets better than the Gilinskys, it's me."
I rested my hand on top of Gloria's old, fragile one, "I'm sorry." Her soft eyes were turning a light pink, the corners were filling with water, and "It was so hard on the family," she sniffled, "especially on Jack, Jason just packed up left."
The turning of the front door interrupted us, "That must be Jack," Gloria said, getting up and walking down the main hall.
"Mrs. Gilinsky you're home?" I could hear the click of the woman's heels across the hardwood floor.
"Is my son here?" She asked in a demanding tone. I couldn't see her face, because the kitchen door was partially closed, but I could see her pealing off her gloves, "Because I'm going to have to have a chat with him," her voice was so intimidating and confident. She was obviously a woman of power.
I could hear her steps coming towards the kitchen, the door swung opened as Gloria followed behind her.
"Oh Gloria why didn't you inform me we had a guest?" The woman had dark brown hair, like Jack and wore a black suit, with tall black heels.
"Hi, I'm Tara Samuels," I said shaking her hand.
"Mrs. Gilinsky, I'm Jack's mom, obviously," she eyed me up and down, almost examining me.
"I'm assuming you're waiting for Jack," she said opening the top cabinet and pulling out a box of uncooked noodles, "Will you to stay for dinner?" She asked looking back at me.
Before I could even say no my mouth had a mind of its own, "Yes," I said getting up to help her cook.
"Gloria, pass me the oregano and basil," Mrs. Gilinsky asked, more like demanded. "Are you Jack's girlfriend?" She asked. I nearly dropped the pot of water as I filled it up under the sink.
"No we're just friends," I said turning on the stove.
"Good," Mrs. Gilinsky put down the knife and placed her hand on her hip, "I may not be around a lot, but I know my son's reputation. The neighbors tend to gossip," she grinned, but she wasn't amused at all.
"What do you do?" She asked, placing the noodles in the boiling water.
"What do you mean?" I asked, hoping she didn't think I was being stupid.
"Any hobbies, play any sports? I like to get to know my son's so called friends," she said watching me as I stirred the pasta sauce and followed the directions Gloria handed me. I guess I wasn't the only one who realized that Jack's "friends" aren't really his friends.
"There's not much to tell," I said.
"Gloria can you make me some tea please," Mrs. Gilinsky said. She sat down intertwining her hands and resting her chin on them. Gloria sat a steaming cup in front of her. Mrs. Gilinsky whispered a thank you and blew the away the steam.
I sat across from her, sipping my tea, which was now nearly cold. Mrs. Gilinsky rubbed her temples, arching her eyebrows, "Jack told me you work in the surgical field."
"Yes, that's right. It's actually more stressful than you can imagine," she groaned.
"I'm pretty sure I can think of something close. My mother is a nurse. She's not home much, but enough that we can eat meals together every other day," I smiled, remembering the times when we used to actually eat every night. Those were the days when she was always smiling not working day and night, trying to make ends meet.
"Besides my serious attitude, I'm actually a good mother," she said looking at me, "You must think I'm such a horrible parent, for never making time for Jack and letting him get this out of control, but I like you for now and you seem to be a good kid," she smiled. She actually, smiled. Since our conversation began, I didn't think it was possible, with her cold behavior.
"Mom?" We turned to see Jack standing in the doorway, "What are you doing here?"
"Last time I check I live here and next time if you decide to bring a girl home, make sure you are here to introduce her. I've been chatting with your girlfriend for the pass hour."
"She's not my girlfriend, she's a friend," Mrs. Gilinsky laughed at his remark, as if she could see right through him.
"I invited Tara to stay for dinner. You two should go get washed up."
I followed Jack out the door and towards the bathroom, "So what were you and my mom talking about?" Jack asked eyeing me as he turned the faucet knob.
"Stuff," I answered plainly, watching him rub his hands together.
"Really, I'm surprised you could survive talking to her," He grinned.
"Well if I can put up with you, then I think I can deal with anyone," Jack chuckled, stepping close to me, "You know you love talking to me."
I bent down and let the water run over my hands, "I'll see you at the table," Jack said smacking my butt. I jumped, splashing water on my jeans, "Damn you," I said under my breath.
*
Gloria left right when we began to eat. Every part of the Gilinsky house was beautiful. The dining room table could hold up to six people. The walls were covered with paintings and a big flower arrangement sat in the middle. We've been eating for ten minutes and it was the longest ten minutes of my life. Mrs. Gilinsky sat at the far end of the table, while Jack sat across from me. Every time I looked up, Mrs. Gilinsky would look at Jack as if she was waiting for him to say something or she was debating if she should say something, but in the end no one said anything.
I couldn't take the silence anymore, it was so uncomfortable, "The lasagna is good," I smiled at Mrs. Gilinsky.
"Thank you the sauce is a family recipe, when Jack was younger he and his brother would always try to put a twist on the recipe by adding something new," Mrs. Gilinsky forced a quiet laugh. Jack glared at his mom, as if she had said a forbidden word. I kicked Jack under the table, but not hard enough to make him wince, just enough to grab his attention. His dark eyes bounced to mine, stay out of it they said.
Another ten minutes of long awkward silence, "Excuse me," the phrase saved by the bell could not fit this situation as perfect as it did. Mrs. Gilinsky's pager went off, "My job needs me," she smiled awkwardly getting up from the table.
"Of course," Jack mumbled. Mrs. Gilinsky's body tensed up, "It was nice meeting you Tara, hopefully we can meet again," Mrs. Gilinsky waved, leaving.
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A/n
What do you think of Jack's mom?
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Fanfiction"What game are you trying to play, huh?" I shouted at him. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to find the words to say. "What's the game, huh, because it fucking sucks," I could only imagine how distort I looked, with my makeup running, "Le...
