Falling

13

Carson Hughes

It hadn't crossed my mind when I had went to see Vinny that I was supposed to have dinner with my mom, her boyfriend, and his son that night. Now that I had spoken to Vinny, he was all I could think about, and I knew I wouldn't be able to get him off my mind during dinner.

"They're going to be here any minute, Carson!" Mom exclaimed, rushing around the kitchen with an apron tied tightly around her waist.

"Mom, it's fine," I assured her as I set the kitchen table. "Everything smells amazing and I doubt he'd leave you if it turns out you're a bad cook."

She narrowed her eyes at me and playfully swatted me with a dish towel. I couldn't help but be amused at her nerves. She was always so confident about everything she did, so it was funny to see her worked up over her boyfriend.

"I don't know why I'm so nervous!" she admitted, pulling at her hair. "It's going to be fine!"

"You're right, it is," I agreed with a smile.

All of this running around the kitchen, making sure everything was spotless should have taken my mind off my earlier conversation with Vinny. But my mind had other plans as it always did. I overthought about it and over-analyzed his words like I was trying to find meaning that wasn't there.

I told him we could forget, but I was already having a hard time thinking of anything other than him.

"Are you alright?" Mom asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. "You seem distracted."

I hadn't realized I had zoned out, staring down at the table where I set a plate in front of me. I mustered up a smile and turned to face her.

"I'm fine," I assured her. "Just zoned out for a second."

Before she could reply, the doorbell rang and Mom dashed off toward the door, tearing off her apron and throwing it back at me. I playfully shook my head at her and hung it up in its rightful place before quickly finishing setting the table. I heard Mom greet our guests from down the hall and their footsteps tapped against the floor as they made their way toward me.

I let out a deep breath, trying to let all thoughts of Vinny out with it, before putting on a smile and standing up straight.

My breath hitched slightly when I saw who entered the kitchen behind my mother. Standing next to a man about my mother's age was Spencer, his hands in his jeans pockets and in a rigid stance. I didn't know why it had never occurred to me that Paul's son would end up being someone I knew.

"This is my son Carson," Mom said with a wide smile, gesturing toward me. "Carson this is Paul and his son Spencer."

Spencer's eyes widened like he had just realized I was standing before him.

"Nice to meet you Paul," I said, stretching out my hand to shake his.

"I'm glad to finally meet you!" he replied in a cheerful tone. "Cass talks about you all the time."

"Hopefully good things," I joked with an awkward laugh.

"Of course!" Paul assured me before gesturing toward his son. "I think you and Spencer are around the same age."

I nodded, clearing my throat. "Yeah, we go to school together."

"You do?" Mom asked. "That's great!"

Spencer and I just nodded, him sending my mother a small, close-lipped smile.

Mom took Paul toward the stove and the two started discussing the meal, looking in through the oven. I didn't even bother paying attention to that.